Rockies hand second consecutive loss to Cardinals

Associated Press

DENVER -- Jorge De La Rosa pitched seven strong innings to tie the Rockies' franchise mark for wins, D.J. LeMahieu hit a tie-breaking RBI double in the seventh, and Colorado hung on to beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-3 on Tuesday night following another rain delay at Coors Field.

Nolan Arenado also hit a two-run homer for the Rockies, who had trailed most of the game that started more than an hour late because of heavy thundershowers.

With the score tied at 2-2 in the seventh, pinch-hitter Wilin Rosario, who was batting for De La Rosa, singled off Michael Wacha. One out later, LeMahieu doubled to the center-field wall, scoring Rosario.

Wacha intentionally walked Troy Tulowitzki and was relieved by Randy Choate, who promptly gave up an RBI single to Carlos Gonzalez.

Peter Bourjos homered in the eighth off reliever Boone Logan, and the Cardinals later loaded the bases with two outs but Yadier Molina flied out to center to end the inning.

Wacha (8-2) matched a career high with 10 strikeouts but gave up four runs on nine hits over 6 2/3 innings. It was his first loss on the road this season. He had entered 6-0 with a 1.59 ERA away from home, tops in the majors.

De La Rosa (3-2) allowed two runs on three hits and struck out eight in notching his 72nd career win with Colorado, tying Aaron Cook's team record.

The Cardinals were without slugging left fielder Matt Holliday, who went on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right quad. He suffered the injury Monday night when he tripped and took a hard fall trying to chase down a fly ball in left.

St. Louis broke up the scoreless game in the fifth inning. Jon Jay reached second base when Randal Grichuck was caught in a rundown between third and second on Jay's fielder's choice. Bourjos followed by drilling a run-scoring single up the middle.

Jhonny Peralta upped the Cardinals' lead in the sixth when he connected for his 10th homer, a solo shot off the lower rim of the second deck.

The Rockies evened the score in their half of the sixth when Arenado drove an 0-1 pitch from Wacha deep into the left field bleachers after Gonzalez had singled ahead of him. It was Arenado's 15th homer of the season.

Trainer's room

Cardinals: Manager Mike Matheny says the team will wait to see how Holliday progresses in the coming days before trying to determine a timetable for his return. Holliday was placed on the 15-day disabled list earlier in the day and the Cardinals filled his roster spot by recalling RHP Miguel Socolovich.

Rockies: RHP LaTroy Hawkins, on the 15-day disabled list since April 22 because of right biceps tendinitis, could be getting close to returning. He pitched a scoreless eighth inning Tuesday night for Albuquerque, the team's Triple-A affiliate.

Up next

Cardinals: RHP Carlos Martinez (6-2) will be seeking a fourth straight win when he starts today's series finale against the Rockies.

Rockies: RHP Chad Bettis (2-0) has had quality starts in each of his five starts since being recalled on May 14.