ROCKIES RALLY TO BEAT ROYALS
Two-run shot beats Royals, ends Rockies’ losing streak
Pat Valaika hits a two-run homer with two out in the eighth inning and Greg Holland finishes with his 36th save as the Colorado Rockies rally for a 3-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals after two tough losses.
KANSAS CITY, MO.» Empty at-bats have been sucking the life out of the Rockies, threatening to derail their wild-card playoff run.
Pat Valaika was well aware of that. So when he popped out to short with two men on in the sixth inning Thursday afternoon, he knew he was pressing. Luckily for Valaika, leadoff hitter Charlie Blackmon sought him out.
“I was pretty frustrated and Chuck came up to me and said something simple: ‘Just stay with it,’ ” Valaika said. “And that kind of just got my mind right. It’s over with. Get to the next at-bat, which is kind of what I did.”
The utility man mashed a two-run homer in the eighth inning off Mike Minor, lifting the Rockies to a 3-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. The Rockies avoided a three-game sweep, snapped a four-game losing skid and posted just their seventh win in their last 30 road games.
Colorado remained a half game behind Arizona for the top National League wild-card berth and moved to 3K games ahead of Milwaukee for the second spot.
Valaika, getting a rare start at first base, pulled Minor’s 83 mph knuckle curve into the left-field seats. The home run put some life into a lineup that has largely been a noshow of late. Over their last seven games, the Rockies have batted only .190 (12-for-63) with runners in scoring position. During their three-game series against the Royals,
the Rockies were 3-for-17 (.176) with runners in scoring position.
Even after Valaika’s heroics, the drama wasn’t quite complete, because nothing comes easily for the Rockies these days.
Struggling closer Greg Holland, who gave up a three-run, walk-off homer Wednesday night, was called on to pitch the ninth. He did his job, setting the Royals down in order for his 36th save. He didn’t exactly dominate: Alcides Escobar lined out to second baseman DJ LeMahieu, Cheslor Cuthbert lined out to right fielder Raimel Tapia and pinch-hitter Mike Moustakas flew out to center fielder Charlie Blackmon.
“I cleaned a few things up,” Holland said. “Today, my ball was going toward my target. And when you get the line out on the first hitter, it makes it a lot easier.”
Rockies manager Bud Black did not hesitate to go back to Holland, despite the all-star closer’s recent woes. Black, along with pitching coach Steve Foster and bullpen coach Darren Holmes, talked with Holland about his mechanics and his mind-set. The trio was satisfied that Holland was ready to pitch in another tight game.
“We talked to Greg about a few things and we felt good about the conversation, where he was mentally and physically and some of the adjustments that he was going to make in his next outing,” Black said. “It just so happened to be today.
“You look at the track record of Greg Holland, who he is as a pitcher, what he’s done in the ninth inning in his career and what he’s done this year. Granted, it’s been a little rocky of late. We felt at that moment today, he was the guy to go to.”
Once again, the Rockies received a solid starting performance. Rookie right-hander German Marquez gave up eight hits in his six innings, but he was charged with only two runs, his 11th quality start.
The Rockies finally got on the scoreboard in the sixth, using a leadoff walk by Gerardo Parra, a double by Carlos Gonzalez and an RBI single by Tapia to make it 2-1. A big inning was scuttled when Valaika popped out and the stillslumping Trevor Story grounded into a double play.
Royals second baseman Whit Merrifield greeted Marquez with a leadoff homer in the first. Brandon Moss made it 2-0 with a solo shot to lead off the second.
“You know what Catfish Hunter said: Solo homers don’t beat you,” Black said. “Today, they didn’t.”