Ninth Inning Error Leads to 7-6 Rockies Loss In Philly
In a season when wins have been difficult to come by, last night's ninth inning error by Todd Helton was especially painful, as the Colorado Rockies (25-42) let one they should have won slip away, losing to the Philadelphia Phillies (33-37) 7-6. The series finale is set for 5:05 MT tonight at Citizens Bank Park (TV: Root Sports).
Initially, out of the corner of his eye, Todd Helton thought the ball off the bat of the Phillies' Placido Polanco in the bottom of the ninth was headed for the outfield. Once Marco Scutaro fielded it behind second base, Helton believed that the Rockies shortstop was going to go for the out at second.
But neither of those things happened, and Helton found himself searching with his right foot for the first-base bag as Polanco crossed it. Polanco was safe, Hunter Pence scored and the Rockies fell to the Phillies, for their 12th loss in their last 13 games.
"I should still be on the bag ready, and I wasn't," Helton said. "It's a pretty bad feeling when you're trying to find the bag and the ball's coming. It was a bad situation. I should've been on the bag and it should've been an out. So, it's my fault."
Moments earlier, it looked as if Colorado was going to get a much-needed win. Dexter Fowler hit an RBI single in the top of the ninth inning to give the Rockies a 6-5 lead, and closer Rafael Betancourt retired Jim Thome and Jimmy Rollins to put himself one out away from his 11th save. That's when the tide turned.
Betancourt gave up a single to Ty Wigginton and a double off the wall to Pence that scored Wigginton to tie the game at 6-6. He then intentionally walked Carlos Ruiz, before Shane Victorino beat out an infield single to keep the Phillies alive, load the bases and bring up Polanco. On a 2-2 count, Betancourt threw a fastball and Polanco hit it up the middle. The game appeared to be over. But then first-base umpire Alfonso Marquez signaled safe and the Phillies celebrated.
Official: Wednesday's Box Score.
Asked if he had been a part of any tougher losses, Rockies manager Jim Tracy said, "Not too many. I'll tell you that."
After another tough loss, the Rockies' attention turns toward tonight's game, when they put Jeff Francis (0-1, 12.46) on the mound in hopes of winning the final game of the series.
Tickets are available for the Rockies’ next home game vs. the Washington Nationals on June 25th, and can be purchased by calling (800) 388-ROCK, or click here.
More From K99
