[Quack Attack]

Rockies have last laugh in comedy of errors





August 24, 2008 - 11:12PM

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

DENVER • In a game that featured nearly everything, Omar Quintanilla finally gave it an ending. Quintanilla homered with one out in the 12th inning and the Colorado Rockies took advantage of five Cincinnati errors to beat the Reds 4-3 on Sunday.

"We had a balk, a wild pitch, a homer, errant throws, walk-off home run," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "We played for the cycle. Both teams across the board."
Colorado, which stranded 18 runners, tied it in the ninth thanks to two errors and a balk. Matt Holliday scored the tying run on a wild throw by right fielder Jay Bruce.
Quintanilla, who entered as a defensive replacement at second base in the 12th, hit Mike Lincoln's 1-2 pitch into the right-field bleachers for his second homer of the season.

"I tried to get on base for Matty. I got a pretty good pitch to hit, took a hack at it," Quintanilla said. "It felt good right away. It was an unbelievable feeling."
Quintanilla has been used sparingly since shortstop Troy Tulowitzki returned from the disabled list July 21. Before homering Sunday, he was 3-for-26 since July 26. "That was very appropriate that that happened for him today because he does his work so professionally," Hurdle said. "Whatever you ask him to do, he does it. And he does such a good job when he's out there."

Lincoln (1-5) was the seventh Reds pitcher in the game. Ryan Speier (2-1) worked a scoreless inning for the win.
Reds starter Johnny Cueto left after three innings because of soreness in his right triceps and will be examined today in Cincinnati.

The Rockies trailed 3-2 entering the ninth against reliever David Weathers. Holliday reached on an error by second baseman Brandon Phillips, went to second on Weathers' balk and advanced to third on a flyout to right. Bruce's throw to third went into Cincinnati's dugout, allowing Holliday to score.

Rockies starter Ubaldo Jimenez allowed three runs, two earned, struck out six and walked four in six innings.
The Rockies' bullpen shut down the Reds, allowing just one hit over the final six innings.