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Torrealba's key hit helps Rockies defeat Dodgers

Apr 19, 2007 - 5:49 AM DENVER (Ticker) -- One big at-bat for Yorvit Torrealba wasn't enough.

Torrealba delivered a key hit during a three-run third inning and the bullpen pitched five strong inning as the Colorado Rockies beat the Los Angeles Dodgers, 7-2.

The Rockies' catcher delivered a three-run double in the bottom of the eighth in Tuesday's 5-3 victory over San Francisco, and he struck again against the Dodgers.

"You don't like to say Torrealba's more focused with men on base, because you need to be focused without men on base," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "More often than not, though, he's not quite as anxious. He's had a lot of success so far with men on base, though."

Torrealba singled to right field with the bases loaded in the third inning off Los Angeles starter Derek Lowe to plate two runs for a 2-1 lead. When right fielder Andre Ethier overthrew home plate, another run crossed the plate for a 3-1 edge.

"The bases-clearing hit by Torrealba was the killer," Dodgers manager Grady Little said. "That play was just messed up from the get-go. Nothing was pretty about it. Usually we are on the receiving end of something like that but sometimes we're giving it."

Garrett Atkins hit a run-scoring single in the fifth followed by an RBI double by Todd Helton that pushed the lead to 5-2.

Rookie Troy Tulowitzki added a two-run single in the seventh for the Rockies, who snapped the Dodgers' six-game road winning streak.

Taylor Buchholz (1-0) allowed a run, four hits and a walk to earn the win after replacing Colorado starter Rodrigo Lopez to start the fifth inning.

"I just got to be ready and come in when they need me," Buchholz said. "That is my role right now. I was overthrowing a little at first but then settled down. It was great to get the win but it was needed for the team."

Lopez, who missed his last start due to an inflamed elbow, left this contest after the fourth inning with right elbow tightness. He allowed a run and four hits.

"It got tight in the third inning but it was all right until the fourth where I felt like I wasn't finishing my pitches," Lopez said. "I didn't want to take a chance and hurt myself more. I don't want to put the team in jeopardy by not being 100 percent on the mound."

Lowe (2-2) surrendered five runs, eight hits and three walks in 4 2/3 innings.

"This is the only place where I don't let a poor outing affect me," Lowe said. "Anyone can hit here. I just need to focus on my next start."

Juan Pierre and Brady Clark each had two hits for the Dodgers.