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Spilborghs powers Rockies past Orioles

Jun 10, 2007 - 9:50 PM BALTIMORE (Ticker) -- Colorado Rockies reserve outfielder Ryan Spilborghs had six RBI entering Sunday's game against the Baltimore Orioles. After the game, he had six more.

Spilborghs had two home runs and a two-run single to give the Rockies a 6-1 victory over the Orioles in the finale of a three-game interleague series.

After leading off the fourth inning with his first home run of the season, Spilborghs singled to plate Todd Helton and Matt Holliday in the fifth to break a 1-1 tie.

"It was just one of those days," Spilborghs said. "I didn't miss any fastballs."

Spilborghs, starting in place of outfielder Brad Hawpe, capped his career day with a three-run homer in the seventh. Entering Sunday's game, Spilborghs had played in 16 games, amassing 10 hits in 35 at-bats (.286).

"I was just trying to hit the ball hard," Spilborghs said. "I wasn't trying to hit home runs. If it sneaks out twice, I'll take that any day of the week."

"It was a special day for Ryan," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "You've got to give him credit."

That was plenty of offense for Rockies starter Jason Hirsh (3-6), who pitched a complete-game gem, scattering five hits and striking out two. He retired the final 13 batters of the game.

"It was one of those games where I felt like I got stronger as the game progressed," Hirsh said. "I was really locked-in the last six innings."

The victory was Hirsh's first since April 22, when he struck out seven in a 7-2 victory over San Diego. Prior to Sunday's game, the righthander was 1-2 with a 4.55 ERA in his five road starts this season.

"Obviously, Hirsh and Spilborghs were the major contributors today," Hurdle said.

Spilborgh's heroics came at the expense of Baltimore starter Erik Bedard (4-4). The lefthander allowed three runs on nine hits but struck out eight.

"I battled through a lot of games. I threw strikes, they fouled a lot of pitches off and they hit some," Bedard said. "I throw what I can. I do what I can do. That's it."

Baltimore got on the board first, courtesy of Aubrey Huff's double to left field which scored Miguel Tejada in the second inning.

Colorado's Willy Taveras extended his hitting streak to 15 games with a single in the second inning.

Holliday, who leads the National League with a .348 average, went 2-for-3 for Colorado. He had been hitless in his last two games.

"He's been big for us all year," Hurdle said. "He's failed to get hits in back-to-back games only twice all season."