Rockies down Cardinals, now 5-1 when Francis pitches

ST. LOUIS (MLB) — The Rockies spent Tuesday night benefiting from two personnel decisions that went right.

Tyler Colvin, obtained this winter from the Cubs in a four-player deal, hit his 10th home run of the season, for all of the team’s runs, and left-hander Jeff Francis, reclaimed from the obscurity of Triple-A, threw five solid innings in a 3-2 victory over the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

“Unlike a lot of situations this year, we won a game tonight, and our pitching staff made it stand up,” manager Jim Tracy said.

The victory — which was in doubt until Rafael Betancourt blew a 92-mph fastball by a looking Jon Jay to notch his 13th save — was the seventh in the last 25 games for the Rockies (31-49), who entered the day tied with the Cubs for baseball’s worst record. The Rockies prevented the Cardinals (42-39) from making a move on the National League Central-leading Reds.

Colvin’s three-run homer off Joe Kelly (1-1), his second long ball in as many games against the Cards in what will be a four-game set, gave the Rockies a one-run lead in the third inning.

Colvin — who came with infielder DJ LeMahieu in exchange for infielder Ian Stewart and Minor League pitcher Casey Weathers after hitting .150 last season with Chicago — has pushed his way into regular playing time with the Rockies. He found his swing during Spring Training, and since June 9 he has seven home runs and 22 RBIs in 18 games, including 16 starts.   READ MORE >>>