|
PHOENIX, Arizona: Brad Hawpe hit a crucial two-run single and
pitcher Jeff Francis pitched 6 2/3 innings as the Colorado Rockies
beat Arizona 5-1 in game one of the National League Championship
Series.
Francis struck out four and allowed one run in a
game that was interrupted for 10 minutes in the seventh inning
because Phoenix fans were throwing bottles on the field Thursday.
The fans were unhappy with the umpires decision
to call Arizona’s Jason Upton out at second, giving the Rockies a
key double play. The umpires ruled Upton interfered with Kaz Matsui
who was trying to make a relay throw to first base.
“I pulled my team off the field,” Colorado
GM Clint Hurdle said. “I thought he went out of his way to make
contact. We got tired of having water bottles thrown at us.”
Francis also pitched seven scoreless innings in
Phoenix on May 23.
“I had some success here in the past,” said
Francis, who is 5-0 at Chase Field. “I just take every game for
what it is. I try to pitch the same way I did all year.”
Said Hawpe, “He’s been unbelievable this
year. He is the definition of a winner. He’ll do whatever it takes
to win a game.”
Webb struggled against Colorado and especially
Hawpe.
Hawpe hit a two-out, two-run single during a
three-run third inning and registered another base hit in the sixth
inning.
Webb, the 2006 Cy Young Award winner, allowed
four runs on seven hits and walked two in six innings.
Upton went in hard at second base on a ground
ball hit by Augie Ojeda. He hit the bag, but popped up, raised his
right arm out, striking Matsui.
The contact prevented Matsui from making the
throw to first.
Melvin argued the call as the fans tossed mainly
plastic water bottles onto the field.
“You just try not to let it affect you,”
said Francis about the fans throwing debris onto the field. “You
just try to stay focused.”
After things settle down, pinch hitter Jeff
Cirillo beat out a bunt down the third base line, ending Francis’
night.
--AFP
|
