Morneau keys Rox fast start in win over D-backs
PHOENIX -- Justin Morneau hit a three-run homer in the first inning and Tyler Matzek tossed five-plus quality innings before exiting with an injury as the Rockies topped the D-backs, 5-4, on Monday night at Chase Field.
The loss was the fourth in a row for the D-backs, who have dropped five of six games on this homestand.
The Rockies built a 4-0 lead against Arizona starter Chase Anderson before the D-backs got on the board with a pair of runs in the fifth, snapping a 20-inning scoreless streak.
"If I do my job better, we win this game, for sure," said Anderson. "So I put it on me, and I've got to be better next time."
The D-backs had two men on in the ninth, but John Axford retired Mark Trumbo on a grounder to third to end the game.
Video: COL@ARI: Axford shuts the door on D-backs
"We made it a little tough on ourselves, but wins are golden in this league. When they're on the road they're even more golden," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "It wasn't pretty, but we got a win. Bottom line."
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Tulo's big at-bat: It happened in the first inning with one out. Troy Tulowitzki showed his usual tenacity in a 13-pitch at-bat against Anderson (0-1), with Corey Dickerson on first base via a single. As Dickerson kept running on the full count, Tulo kept fouling off pitches until he drew a key walk. Two pitches later, Morneau hit his homer to put the Rockies ahead for good.
Scoreless streak goes by the boards: The D-backs' scoreless-inning streak was snapped at 20 in the fifth inning as Arizona scored a pair of runs on RBIs by Ender Inciarte and A.J. Pollock. Prior to that, the last time the D-backs had scored was the second inning of Saturday's game with the Pirates.
"I thought we battled tonight," D-backs manager Chip Hale said. "We battled back." More >
Video: COL@ARI: Pollock beats out throw for RBI single
Matzek has to leave game: Matzek (2-0) threw one pitch to Yasmany Tomas to open the sixth inning and had to come out of the game because of a left hamstring cramp, which was not considered serious after the game. Matzek threw five-plus innings of five-hit, two-run ball, with three walks and three strikeouts.
"Yeah, he'll make his next start," Weiss said. "I expect him to make his next start." More >
Video: COL@ARI: Matzek earns win despite injury exit
IN REVIEW
With two outs in the D-backs' half of the fifth and a runner on third, Pollock smacked a shot up the middle that was backhanded by Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu. LeMahieu's fadeaway throw to first base barely missed nabbing Pollock. Umpire Mark Wegner ruled Pollock safe, and the second run of the inning scored. A review determined that the call would stand.
Video: COL@ARI: Play at first stands after challenge in 5th
WHAT'S NEXT
Rockies: Back at Chase Field for the second game of the series at 7:40 p.m. MT. Kyle Kendrick gets the start against the D-backs.
D-backs: Archie Bradley, off to an unbeaten start to his big league career, gets the call for the D-backs on Tuesday.
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