Baseball notebook: Tulowitzki homers help Rockies sweep
Apr 15, 2011 at 12:01 AM Apr 15, 2011 at 9:29 AM
Hot-hitting Troy Tulowitzki belted his major-league-leading seventh homer during the second game of a doubleheader, and the Colorado Rockies pounded the New York Mets 9-4 yesterday to wrap up a four-game series sweep.
Tulowitzki also homered in the opener before the Rockies' bullpen held on in a wild ninth inning for a 6-5 victory. Tulowitzki went deep in each of the four wins over the Mets and finished 10 for 16 with eight RBI in the series.
The Rockies (10-2), off to the best start in franchise history, have won five straight and 10 of 11 overall. The Mets are headed the other way, losing five straight and eight of nine.
Phillies 4, Nationals 0 - Washington's Jordan Zimmerman (1-2) had a perfect game through five innings, but Carlos Ruiz broke it up by homering to lead off the sixth, giving Philadelphia's Cliff Lee all the run support he would need.
Rays 4, Twins 3, 10 innings - Johnny Damon hit a two-run homer with one out in the 10th inning, lifting Tampa Bay. Carl Pavano pitched eight shutout innings for Minnesota, but he was denied the victory when closer Joe Nathan gave up a tying two-run double to Matt Joyce in the ninth.
Yankees 6, Orioles 5, 10 innings - Nick Swisher hit a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning and New York rallied from a five-run deficit.
Minnesota catcher Joe Mauer will go on the 15-day disabled list because of leg weakness, which has caused soreness throughout his body. Seattle center fielder Franklin Gutierrez (stomach gastritis) will begin a rehab assignment in class A today. Gutierrez set a major-league record last year with 415 outfield chances without an error. He also led the Mariners with 64 RBI. San Francisco ace Tim Lincecum is giving $25,000 to assist Giants fan Bryan Stow, who was attacked outside Dodger Stadium last month.