Todd Helton’s game-winning RBI single lifts Rockies over Braves
Sometimes getting nearly hit by a 97 mph fastball can keep a player from getting too comfortable at the plate and think twice about the next pitch. But it can also get your adrenaline pumping as shown by the Rockies first baseman, Todd Helton, who seemed energized after almost getting hit and ripped a game-winning RBI single on the very next pitch as the Rockies defeated the National League East-leading Atlanta Braves, 5-4 on Monday night at Coors Field.
“It woke me up a little bit, right at my head sinking in," Helton said after going 4-for-4 with a pair of RBIs in the opener of a three-game series. "It was almost a career-changer. The guy's got unbelievable stuff. I was lucky to put it in play."
Helton had a hot bat for the entire game and it was only fitting that he was the one to lift Colorado over Atlanta. “When we perform like that offensively, that's what makes us good," Rockies manager Tracy said of the timely hitting. "I've been watching that all year at home. Evidence of that is 39-20."
After an injury-filled 2010 season, Helton is starting to resemble his former self and make great plays. Helton hit his 523rd double of his career tying him with Willie Mays for 37th on the all-time list.
Colorado has won eight of its past 10 home games and the crowd noise and energy in the Rockies stadium is electric. "This isn't an easy place to pitch for anyone," Braves starter Tim Hudson said. “I think I threw the ball pretty well tonight." Hudson numbers were decent, yielding four earned runs and seven hits in six frames, but he had a rough night when it was all said and done.
Helton wasn’t the only player form the Rockies to torment Hudson, who has struggled in his starts at Coors Field, and is currently 0-2 with a 10.20 ERA.
The Rockies third baseman, Ian Stewart, drilled a homer over the center-field to give Colorado a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning.
The Rockies improved their record to 64-60 and left Monday’s game confident that they can duplicate their success for the remainder of the series.
"This is a very good team," said Tracy, who earned the 700th win of his career with the victory. "Let's face it, we beat a good ballclub tonight. They're just a solid team. They're going to make you beat them."
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