Rockies break open game in 7th to beat Tigers

8/30/2017

DENVER — Nolan Arenado capped a four-run seventh inning with his 30th homer, and the Colorado Rockies beat the Detroit Tigers 7-3 on Tuesday night.

Arenado’s three-run shot broke open a close game and helped the Rockies win for the fourth time in six tries. Colorado increased its lead to four games over Milwaukee for the second NL wild card.

Mikie Mahtook tied the game for Detroit in the top of the seventh with a two-run homer, his 10th, before the Rockies rallied in the bottom half.

Colorado went ahead 4-3 on singles by Jonathan Lucroy and Trevor Story, and a sacrifice fly by pinch-hitter Carlos Gonzalez off starter Michael Fulmer (10-12).

Charlie Blackmon reached on a fielder’s choice. Warwick Saupold walked DJ LeMahieu, and Arenado followed with his three-run drive to reach 30 homers for the third straight season. He leads the majors with 111 RBIs.

Rockies starter German Marquez tied a career high with 10 strikeouts before leaving with one out in the seventh. Pat Neshek (2-1) got the last two outs of the inning.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Tigers: 1B Miguel Cabrera was not in the lineup due to back tightness that will likely keep him out Wednesday as well. “He’s a little sore,” manager Brad Ausmus said. “He’s probably not going to play, given the off day. We’ll see how he feels (Wednesday).” ... Ausmus said DH Victor Martinez (irregular heartbeat) is scheduled to see the team doctors Wednesday.

Rockies: Gonzalez, a late scratch Monday, was kept out of the starting lineup with his sore left ankle. He received treatment before the game and was well enough to pinch hit in the seventh.

UMPIRE INJURED

Plate umpire Mike Everitt left in the middle of the first inning after being hit by a warmup pitch from Fulmer.

Everitt was crouched behind Tigers catcher James McCann as Fulmer threw warmup pitches in the middle of the inning. One pitch got past McCann and hit Everitt in the upper right thigh area. He was attended to by a Rockies trainer and left the game.

Tom Woodring moved from second base to home plate and the rest of the game was played with three umpires. The game was delayed 12 minutes.

UP NEXT

Tigers: RHP Justin Verlander (9-8, 3.90 ERA) is 2-0 with a 1.99 ERA in three career starts against the Rockies. He tossed a complete game on June 19, 2011, in his only start at Coors Field.

Rockies: RHP Chad Bettis (0-1, 3.79) will make his fourth start since returning from cancer treatment. He allowed five runs over five innings in a loss at Atlanta on Friday.