Rockies report: Round trip

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published July 18, 2008 at 11:40 p.m.

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Numbers game

175 times the Rockies have overcome a three-run deficit to win, 147 of those at Coors Field, where they overcame a 3-0 deficit to win 5-3 against Pittsburgh on Thursday.

Photo by David Zalubowski / Associated Press

Rockies starter Glendon Rusch pitched 5 2/3 innings and got the win Friday.

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Seth Smith, hitting for right-handed pitcher Jason Grilli, led off the bottom of the seventh by lining reliever Tyler Yates' pitch into right-center. The line drive hit at the base of the wall and caromed to left field, allowing Smith to circle the bases standing up, the 11th inside-the-park home run in Rockies history and second this year. Jeff Baker had one against Cleveland on June 17. It's also the Rockies' second pinch-hit inside-the-park home run. Dustan Mohr hit one against San Diego on July 10, 2005. It was the first time the Pirates had given one up since Cubs outfielder Sammy Sosa did it off Tony McKnight on Oct. 6, 2001.

"No one contemplated (the carom)," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "Even the left fielder had to think double and move to back up third. Then (the ball) is in no-man's land."

MORILLO UP

Right-hander Juan Morillo has a fastball that makes scouts drool. Command has been a problem. Lately, though, Morillo has been on a roll at Triple-A Colorado Springs. So the Rockies decided it was time to take a look, even if it's only until Monday, when a roster move has to be made so Kip Wells can be activated to start. Left-hander Mark Redman, whose place Wells is taking in the rotation, was designated for assignment to make room for Morillo, who allowed three earned runs in 17 2/3 innings, striking out 14.

"He's pitching as well as he has ever been in the minor leagues and we need to see how it translates into the big leagues," manager Clint Hurdle said.

Redman isn't expected to accept a minor league assignment if he clears waivers.

ETC.

Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki was the designated hitter at Double-A Tulsa on his rehabilitation assignment Friday and was 2-for-2 with a two-run home run and three walks. He is 4-for-13 with the Drillers. He will play for them again tonight and Sunday and is expected to be activated from the disabled list Monday. . . . With two stolen bases in the second inning Friday, Willy Taveras increased his season total to 41, fifth most in a season in franchise history. Eric Young has the record of 53 in 1996 and is also fourth on the list with 42 in 1993. Juan Pierre is second with 47 in 2002 and third with 46 in 2001. . . . Shortstop Chris Nelson (broken hamate bone) was activated from the disabled list at Double-A Tulsa and sent back to high Single-A Modesto. . . . . Low Single-A Asheville won the first-half Southern Division in the South Atlantic League and Modesto is in first place in second-half Northern Division play in the California League. . . . When Brian Fuentes struck out the side Thursday for his 100th save, it marked the only time he struck out every batter he faced to earn a save, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

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