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Rockies hit 5 homers, power way to 17-7 win over Reds

Jul 27, 2015 - 1:14 AM DENVER (AP) Carlos Gonzalez's bat is officially scorching. His demand may be heating up, too, as the trade deadline draws closer.

Not that the Colorado Rockies slugger is giving that even a moment's thought.

''I want to make things happen here,'' Gonzalez said.

Certainly did Sunday.

Gonzalez, Nolan Arenado and Ben Paulsen each homered in a 10-run third inning to help the Rockies beat Cincinnati 17-7 on a day when the Reds traded ace Johnny Cueto.

It was a big afternoon for Paulsen, who finished with a career-high four hits that included a triple and two solo homers. Gonzalez also had two homers and tied his career best with six RBIs.

Gonzalez's last game at Coors Field in a Rockies uniform? He wasn't about to ponder that scenario as the team takes off for a seven-game road swing.

''I'm trying to be the best player I can be,'' said Gonzalez, who hit two homers Friday. ''We still have a lot of games in front of us.''

Colorado had eight hits in the third, including back-to-back homers by Arenado and Paulsen, to turn a 4-2 deficit into a 12-4 lead. The last time the Rockies scored double-digits in an inning was April 27, 2012, when they had 11 runs against the New York Mets.

Michael Lorenzen (3-5) was roughed up for eight runs in 2 1-3 innings. He allowed two of Colorado's five homers.

Staked to a big lead, Kyle Kendrick (4-11) yielded six runs in five shaky innings for his first win since June 23.

''You don't get a lot of those days where you get to coast to the finish line,'' Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. ''A good day all around.''

Before the game, Cincinnati finalized a deal that sent Cueto to the Kansas City Royals for three pitching prospects.

Not that Cueto could've done anything about this rout, since he pitched eight scoreless innings the night before in his last outing with the Reds.

''We can only wish Johnny the best,'' said Jay Bruce, who hit a three-run homer in the third. ''I'm very certain he is going to succeed wherever he is.''

Did the timing affect the Reds?

''I try to do my best of ignoring something like this. We all anticipated this,'' Bruce said. ''We have to be professional and do our best.''

Arenado was in the lineup after being hit by a pitch in the left hand Saturday. He said his hand was a little sore, but it didn't show as he hit his first homer since June 28 in the third.

Three pitches later, Paulsen followed with the first of his two solo homers. Gonzalez later added a two-run shot off reliever Dylan Axelrod, who gave up three homers in 1 2-3 innings.

Paulsen needed only a double to complete the cycle, but struck out in the seventh. DJ LeMahieu ran his career-high hitting streak to 16 games with two singles.

Cueto has been the subject of trade rumors lately and it only escalated Saturday when Lorenzen played catch in left field prior to the game, with some reading that as a sign that perhaps Cueto had been dealt. But Cueto took the mound and tossed a gem.

The right-hander arrived at the park Sunday and got dressed in his Reds gear, before being informed of the deal.

As Cueto made his way out of the clubhouse, he said it was a ''very emotional time for me.'' He's heading to the Royals, who have the best record in the American League, but was ''very sad'' to leave his teammates.

The feeling was mutual.

''He was my teammate. More than that, he is a friend,'' catcher Brayan Pena said. ''He and I are very close on and off the field.''

In the deal with the Royals, Cincinnati received Brandon Finnegan, John Lamb and Cody Reed. Finnegan will report to Triple-A Louisville, along with Lamb. Reed will head to Double-A Pensacola.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Rockies: SS Troy Tulowitzki was given a rest day. ... OF Corey Dickerson was out of the starting lineup as a precaution. He was reinstated Friday from the DL after missing time with plantar fasciitis in his left foot.

UP NEXT

Reds: Cincinnati begins a three-game game series Monday in St. Louis, with RHP Raisel Iglesias (1-2, 5.45) taking the mound.

Rockies: LHP Jorge De La Rosa (6-4, 4.62) will throw Monday when the Rockies open a three-game series in Chicago against the Cubs.