Fri Jul 18 00:09:31 2008

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Rockies rally to down Pirates

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Denver, CO (Sports Network) - Chris Iannetta clubbed a two-run homer and the Colorado Rockies overcame a shaky beginning from Ubaldo Jimenez to down the Pittsburgh Pirates, 5-3, in the opener of a four-game series at Coors Field.

Iannetta added an RBI single for the Rockies, who snapped a four-game losing streak. Jeff Baker doubled twice and knocked in a run, while Garrett Atkins finished 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored.

Jimenez (5-9) went seven innings and allowed three runs on five hits to pick up the win. The 24-year-old right-hander has won three of his last four starts.

Paul Maholm (6-6) gave up five runs on eight hits and struck out seven to record his first lost since May 20 against Milwaukee. The lefty had won his last four decisions.

Adam LaRoche had two-run double for Pittsburgh, which has dropped three of its last four games.

Down 3-0, the Rockies narrowed the deficit with a pair of runs in the fourth. Willy Taveras singled to open the inning and Baker followed with an RBI double to right. After Maholm retired Matt Holliday and Atkins on grounders, Iannetta smacked a single to center to score Baker.

Colorado then pulled ahead in the sixth. Doubles by Baker and Atkins produced the tying run, then Iannetta drove a first-pitch fastball -- shattering his bat in the process -- over the wall in left for a 5-3 lead.

Taylor Buchholz shut down the Pirates in the eighth and Brian Fuentes struck out the side in the ninth to notch his 15th save.

In the third inning, eight Pirates came to the plate as they broke open a scoreless game with a three-run surge. With one away in the frame, Nate McLouth hit a soft liner to left field that fell in for a single, then Jimenez plunked Freddy Sanchez. McLouth took third on Ryan Doumit's deep fly to right and scored when Jimenez uncorked his 14th wild pitch of the season.

After Jason Bay drew a walk, LaRoche stroked a two-run double to the alley in right-center. Doug Mientkiewicz then worked a four-pitch walk before a passed ball moved the runners to second and third, but Jimenez fanned Jose Bautista to end the inning.

Game Notes

The Pirates have lost each of their last four road games...Colorado left seven men on base, while the Pirates stranded five...Colorado's Clint Barmes had a triple and a double...Pittsburgh recalled pitcher Marino Salas from Triple-A Indianapolis on Thursday...The Pirates took three of four games in their only visit to Coors Field last year from August 20-23...Pittsburgh's Ian Snell (3-7) and Colorado's Glendon Rusch (1-1) are scheduled to start on Friday.