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Surging Rockies pound struggling Brewers

Jul 14, 2007 - 6:53 AM MILWAUKEE (Ticker) -- If the Colorado Rockies are going to climb back into the National League West Division race, they will need more offensive explosions like they had Friday.

Troy Tulowitzki and Yorvit Torrealba each belted two-run home runs to propel the Rockies to a 10-6 win over the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park.

All-Star Matt Holliday also homered for the Rockies, who won for the sixth time in seven games.

"It's nice to come out after the All-Star break and get the first win under our belt," Tulowitzki said.

Making a strong case for National League Rookie of the Year, Ryan Braun hit two home runs and drove in four runs for the Brewers, whose lead in the NL Central over the Chicago Cubs shrunk to 3 1/2 games.

"We just go out there with the same approach," Braun said of his team's dwindling lead. "We know how talented we are, what we're capable of doing. As long as we maintain that approach, we'll still win a lot of games."

Prince Fielder added his National League-leading 30th home run for Milwaukee, which has lost six of its last seven games.

Rockies lefthander Jeff Francis (9-5) labored through five innings but extended his winning streak to four games. He allowed six runs and seven hits - including three home runs - but struck out seven.

Francis has won eight of his last nine decisions after starting the season 1-4.

"We have to get Jeff back on track," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "He's got to re-establish his fastball and then establish his fastball command. He needs to go back to his roots. When things were going good, he was getting a lot of outs with his fastball."

With one out in the fifth and the game tied at 5-5, Brewers reliever Carlos Villanueva (6-1) walked Garrett Atkins before surrendering Tulowitzki's 10th home run of the season. Villanueva then walked Brad Hawpe, and Torrealba followed with his blast over the left-center field wall.

"We were going back and forth and it looked like one of those nights where hitters were going to hit and we were going to score a lot of runs," Tulowitzki said. "To get a little bit of a cushion was huge for us."

Four of five Rockies that drew walks eventually scored.

"You want to come up with guys on base and drive the ball somewhere," Torrealba said. "When they give you walks, you want to take advantage of that."

The Brewers took a 4-2 lead in the third, when Braun hit a three-run homer and Fielder followed with a solo shot.

The Rockies, who won for the first time in seven games in Milwaukee, came right back with three in the top of the fourth. Francis hit a two-run double and Ryan Spilborghs added a sacrifice fly.

"The balance of our offense speaks for itself," Hurdle said. "The bottom of the order has provided a nice spark."

Milwaukee tied it the bottom half on Corey Hart's two-out RBI double.

Brewers starter Chris Capuano was knocked out of the game in the third inning after allowing five runs and six hits. Capuano has not won since May 7.

"He's definitely struggling right now," Brewers manager Ned Yost said. "The last couple weeks have been tough for him. He's going to have to find a way to get himself out of it pretty quick."