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De La Rosa, Rockies complete sweep of Indians

Jun 20, 2008 - 4:52 AM By Paul Willis PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

DENVER (Ticker) -- Jorge De La Rosa pitched perhaps the finest game of his career, Jeff Baker hit another home run and the Colorado Rockies finished off a three-game sweep of the Cleveland Indians with a 6-3 interleague victory Thursday at Coors Field.

De La Rosa (2-3) had a career-best 10 strikeouts in his second start since rejoining the rotation and Baker homered for the third consecutive game after entering the series with only one for the season. Brian Fuentes pitched the ninth for his 13th save in 16 chances.

"Momentum's building a bit, confidence is building," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "It's not that we didn't believe in ourselves, but it takes some success to reinforce everything."

The reigning National League champions have won 11 of their last 15 games since starting the season 20-38, while Cleveland lost for 22nd time in 35 road games.

"I just don't think we had the right discipline up there at that plate," Indians manager Eric Wedge said. "Guys were fishing for pitches. A couple guys had decent at-bats, but overall, I don't think we swung the bat very well."

Baker, a utilityman who received much more playing time in the past month due to an abundance of injuries, hit a solo shot to right-center field in the sixth to break a 3-3 tie against Cleveland starter Jeremy Sowers (0-2).

Since his average bottomed out at .188 on May 29, Baker has gone 17-for-39 to climb to .278. He has hit all four of his homers since June 4. Baker hit an inside-the-park homer in the series opener Tuesday and connected for a conventional blast Wednesday.

"I'm just glad it's helping us win," Baker said. "Getting more at-bats, anyone in here will tell you you get more comfortable. But as far as (earning more time), I don't get into any of that."

Colorado tacked onto its lead in the seventh on RBI singles by Garrett Atkins and Brad Hawpe - each after a one-out intentional walk - to go ahead, 6-3.

Cleveland's Ben Francisco hit a two-run homer in the top of the first against De La Rosa and teammate Casey Blake launched a solo blast in the sixth to tie it 3-3. Those were the only blemishes against the lefthander, who improved to 2-3 since being acquired from Kansas City to complete a spring training trade for reliever Ramon Ramirez.

"I commanded my fastball much better," said De La Rosa, who held the White Sox to one run in five innings Saturday. "Changeup was good, I used it a lot. The last two starts have been a lot better."

Rockies leadoff hitter Willy Taveras went 3-for-5, scored twice and stole his NL-best 32nd base. All three of Taveras' hits were infield singles - including two bunts - to extend his major league-leading total of 22 infield hits.

"It will always be important for any offense to get its leadoff hitter on base, especially one with the dynamic speed Willy's got," Hurdle said.

The Rockies won their fifth consecutive series and earned their second sweep of the season, but still have plenty of digging to do to crawl back into the NL West race.

"I don't think anyone here is comfortable," Baker said. "Baseball will kick you in the teeth real quick."