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Hawpe's walk-off, RBI single propels Rockies past Giants

Sep 5, 2007 - 5:05 AM DENVER (Ticker) -- The Colorado Rockies are not out of the playoff race just yet.

Brad Hawpe's walk-off base hit lifted the Rockies to their third straight win, a 6-5 comeback triumph over the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday.

Hawpe sent a 2-2 offering from Giants reliever Brad Hennessey (2-4) into right field, which brought Jamey Carroll around to score and ending the game.

After getting Holliday to ground out, Hennessey issued walks to Todd Helton, who Carroll replaced as a pinch-runner, and Garrett Atkins to set the stage for Hawpe's heroics.

"I was just looking put something in the middle of the field," Hawpe said. "The guy's got several pitches he can throw for a strike. I was looking for the fastball and I know he pitches up in the zone I got a heater."

"It was a different situation that anyone is used to coming into," Hennessey said. "You're just trying to make good pitches and deal with what's going on there and it was an unfortunate situation. I think we took the brunt end of that one."

Colorado (72-66) pulled to within four games of the division-leading San Diego Padres (76-62) and Arizona Diamondbacks (77-63) in the National League West.

San Francisco took a 5-4 lead into the eighth inning but Kaz Matsui came through with a crucial RBI single to tie the game.

Manny Corpas (4-2) recorded the win after pitching a perfect ninth inning. Corpas capped an impressive outing from the Rockies bullpen, which pitched six scoreless innings.

"We were in a bit of a hole and we found a way to get ourselves out," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "Our bullpen was outstanding."

"That's why we play nine innings, not eight or 10," Hawpe said. "We've got a good lineup and when our bullpen comes in and pitches like that, you've got a chance to win games."

Colorado starter Franklin Morales lasted just three innings, allowing five runs and five hits with one strikeout. Ryan Speier and Matt Herges each pitched two scoreless frames and Brian Fuentes shutdown the Giants' offense in the eighth before Corpas entered for the ninth.

San Francisco took an early 1-0 advantage in the second when Rich Aurilia's sacrifice fly scored Barry Bonds, who doubled to lead off the frame.

Colorado answered in the bottom of the half of the inning on consecutive singles by Todd Helton, Garrett Atkins and Brad Hawpe to even the score at 1-1.