Miami, Fla, – After allowing the Miami Marlins to control the direction of the series for three days, the Colorado Rockies looked to long-time rotation mainstay and old man, Jorge De La Rosa to avoid the four-game sweep. By the time closer Carlos Estevez notched the final three outs, the Rockies had stabbed the Marlins and sailed back to shore with an important victory to close out a disappointing series.

Despite surrendering three home runs for the third time this year, De La Rosa continued his recent good stretch going 6 innings while allowing 3 runs (3 earned), striking out 3, and walking just 2. Even though he didn’t have his best stuff for much of his start, the Rockies offense offered just enough support with 5 solo home runs, the most home runs hit by any team at Marlins Park, to earn the 5-3 victory.

Mark Reynolds accounted for two of the Rockies’ five home runs. His first home run came in the second inning as the first of three Rockies home runs in the inning while his second came on a 1-1 count in the top of the 6th inning to break a 3-3 tie.

Even though the Rockies offered their pitchers enough support for the victory, Colorado’s characteristically inefficient offense showed itself once again in the 7th inning. After a leadoff walk to Christian Adames and two bunt base hits by Charlie Blackmon and DJ LeMahieu, the Rockies had the bases loaded with no outs and the middle of the order due up. Instead of capitalizing on a good opportunity to add on and put the game out of reach, Nolan Arenado and Carlos Gonzalez struck out before Trevor Story grounded out.

Bases loaded, no outs, no runs.

Luckily for the purple pinstripes, the bullpen slammed the door on any Miami comeback attempt and held onto to the 5-3 victory.

Lasting Impact

Ahead of the second two-game series against the Yankees in as many weeks, the Rockies bats finally woke up after a lackluster three games in Miami. With five home runs on a getaway day and a trip to Yankee Stadium, which is generally considered a hitters park, the Rockies may have put themselves in a position to sustain last week’s success against the Bronx Bombers.

By the Numbers

5 – The Rockies hit 5 solo home runs, which set the record for the most home runs hit by one team at Marlins Park.

8 – The Rockies and Marlins combined to hit 8 solo home runs, which set a Major League record.

1 – The Rockies won just one game in this long four-game set in Miami

What’s Next

The Rockies will leave Miami and head for the Bronx to play the second half of a home-and-home series with the New York Yankees. The Rockies swept the first half at Coors Field with 13-10 and 6-3 victories. Chad Bettis will get the start on Tuesday against Ivan Nova while Jon Gray will start on Wednesday against CC Sabathia.