Colorado Rockies win over the St. Louis Cardinals

Francis helps Rockies win 6th straight         

[May 29, 2007]  DENVER (AP) -- Jeff Francis allowed five hits in 7 2-3 innings, Brad Hawpe hit a two-run homer, and the Colorado Rockies won their six straight game, 6-2, over the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday.

Francis (4-4) had a shutout going into the eighth when Aaron Miles doubled with two outs and So Taguchi hit a two-run homer to left, his first of the season.

Manager Clint Hurdle pulled him after Taguchi's homer. This time, Hurdle wasn't booed for the move.

Hurdle was criticized for pulling Francis in his last start at Coors Field on May 18. Francis was cruising along against Kansas City when Hurdle took him out in the eighth after throwing 74 pitches. Hurdle later admitted he made a mistake in what turned into a 5-2 loss.

This time, Francis threw 99 pitches.

Colorado has won six in a row for the first time since May 21-26, 2002. The Cardinals continue their road woes, having dropped 11 of their last 13 away from Busch Stadium.

Matt Holliday had a solo homer in the first, his ninth. Kaz Matsui scored two runs on two singles and Willy Taveras finished 2-for-4 with two stolen bases.

Francis worked his way out of a two-out jam in the sixth. He gave up singles to Miles and Taguchi and then pitched around Albert Pujols to load the bases. Scott Spiezio hit into an inning-ending force play at second.

Kip Wells (2-9) gave up 11 hits in 6 1-3 innings and struck out three. The Cardinals have been outscored 51-15 in his last seven starts.

Pujols' 11-game hitting streak was snapped with an 0-for-3 afternoon.

Francis ignited a two-run fifth inning with a one-out double to right-center, his first extra base hit since 2005. Francis scored on Matsui's single to right.

Matsui advanced all the way to third when the throw into home from Juan Encarnacion skipped away from catcher Gary Bennett. Matsui scored on Bennett's passed ball on the next pitch.

Holliday's two-out, line drive homer to right-center field in the first inning was his ninth of the season.

Manager Tony La Russa gave David Eckstein and Scott Rolen Memorial Day off to heal. Eckstein missed his second straight game with tightness in his back. Rolen suffered a slight concussion Sunday when he collided with Washington's Dmitri Young at first base. Rolen was lifted for a pinch hitter after telling La Russa he wasn't feeling right following the collision.

"You don't want to mess around with that," La Russa said.

La Russa was encouraged by Rolen being cleared to travel with the team.

The St. Louis starting lineup Monday lacked power. Discard Pujols' eight homers and the lineup had just two home runs in it, including one by Wells.

Notes: The Colorado Rockies placed right-handed pitcher Josh Fogg on the 15-day disabled list Monday with a strained left groin. Colorado called up righty Ryan Speier from Triple-A Colorado Springs. ... Reliever Manny Corpas left town to attend a funeral in Panama. He's expected back Wednesday. ... The Rockies plan to activate RHP Rodrigo Lopez on Tuesday. He's been on the disabled list since April 19 with a strained right elbow. He's the scheduled starter Tuesday night.

[Text copied from file received from AP Digital; article by Pat Graham, AP sportswriter]