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Rockies pound Diamondbacks to keep postseason hopes alive

Sep 30, 2007 - 5:05 AM By Tony Desiere PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

DENVER (Ticker) - The Colorado Rockies' playoff hopes are still alive.

Troy Tulowitzki hit a grand slam and Matt Holliday drove in two runs as the Rockies beat the Arizona Diamondbacks, 11-1, on Saturday night in front of a full house at Coors Field.

Colorado took advantage of San Diego's loss earlier in the day To Milwaukee and now sits one game back in the National League wild card race.

"It's been a great ride so far," Colorado manager Clint Hurdle said. "It's been a great experience. Experience you can't get anywhere else and it's been good for everyone involved in it."

The Rockies (88-73) are tied with both the New York Mets (88-73) and the Philadelphia Phillies (88-73) - one game behind the Padres (89-72).

The Diamondbacks (90-71) hold a one-game lead over the Padres in the NL West.

Should the Padres lose on Sunday and the Rockies , Mets and Phillies all win, a series of one-game playoffs would take place to decide the NL playoff participants.

"It's going to be exciting," Holliday said of Sunday's game. "Obviously we still need some help, but if the Brewers can take care of business (Sunday against San Diego), we have a chance. We're the biggest Brewer fans around."

The Rockies hammered Arizona starter Edgar Gonzalez (8-4) in the first inning, scoring four runs on three hits and three walks. Kaz Matsui led off the inning with a double to right field.

After Tulowitzki walked, Holliday doubled to center field, driving in the first two runs of the game. Colorado would add two more runs in the inning to take a 4-0 lead.

"Anytime you can get up on someone early, it's huge," Tulowitzki said. "It's important to start the game off the right way. Hopefully we can do it again tomorrow."

"That was a tough way to start the game," Arizona manager Bob Melvin said. "They've got a talented team over there and they showed it right off the bat."

Gonzalez pitched three innings, giving up five runs off six hits while walking four.

Colorado starter Mark Redman (2-4) was effective enough to make that lead stand. He went five innings, yielding an unearned run, striking out six and scattering seven hits.

"He used all his pitches," Hurdle said. "He was able to get out of a couple of jams. He had a pretty effective outing. Nobody hammered him."

The Rockies continued to pound away at Arizona pitchers.

In the fifth inning, Todd Helton led off with a double and was driven home by Garrett Atkins, who singled to left. With two outs, the Rockies loaded the bases after two walks and a throwing error by Diamondbacks second baseman Emilio Bonifacio.

"We didn't have our best game tonight," Melvin said. "We still reached our goal. We want to win every game, but we still have to get ready for the playoffs."

Arizona went to the bullpen and brought in Dustin Nippert to pitch to Tulowitzki. Two pitches later, the ball landed in the outfield bullpen for the rookie's 24th home run of the year, giving Colorado an 11-1 lead.

"I've had a couple in college and stuff," Tulowitzki said of the grand slam. "This is one I'll always remember."

"I'm not surprised by his performances," Rockies outfielder Brad Hawpe said of Tulowitzki. "He's one of the best competitors in this locker room."

Atkins had three hits and drove in three runs for Colorado and Helton added two hits, including a double, and scored twice in the victory.