Tulowitzki hits for cycle, drives in 7 against Cubs

[August 11, 2009]  DENVER (AP) -- Troy Tulowitzki hit for the cycle and had a career-high seven RBIs to help Colorado beat the Chicago Cubs 11-5 on Monday night

Tulowitzki, who had a grand slam denied in the first video review at Coors Field, came to bat to lead off the seventh a triple shy of the franchise's fifth cycle and first in nine years. He laced a 3-2 pitch down the left-field line and slid headfirst into the bag before third baseman Jake Fox could corral the throw from left.

Tulowitzki hit his 21st homer in the first, singled in the second and doubled in the fourth in his first three at-bats. He added a two-run single in the eighth to finish with five hits.

It was the sixth cycle in the majors this season.

Todd Helton had two singles to extend his hitting streak to 15 games and Jorge De La Rosa struck out 11 for the Rockies, who took three of the four games in the wraparound series with the Cubs.

Tulowitzki had a chance at more RBIs, but a review of his fly ball in the second inning went against him. With the bases loaded, Tulowitzki hit a fastball from Esmailin Caridad deep down the left-field line and it was ruled foul by third base umpire Bill Welke.

Rockies manager Jim Tracy came out to argue the call and the call was upheld under review.

The review of the play took 4 minutes, 10 seconds.

Two pitches later Tulowitzki lashed a two-run single to left to give Colorado a 6-0 lead in a busy second inning that knocked Cubs starter Tom Gorzelanny out of the game.

With one out Barmes hit his 16th home run to make it 3-0. Yorvit Torrealba followed with a double and De La Rosa singled to put runners on the corner.

Dexter Fowler followed with a hard grounder off of Gorzelanny's right foot, scoring Torrealba. Gorzelanny (4-2) suffered a contusion on the foot and had to leave the game.

Caridad, who was making his major league debut, relieved Gorzelanny. He walked Helton to load the bases with two outs and Tulowitzki hit his first pitch down the line. After the review confirmed it was foul, Tulowitzki lined a two-run single to left to make it 6-0.

In the fourth, Tulowitzki doubled to left-center to knock in Helton to make it 8-0.

Chicago got its only run on Geovany Soto's leadoff homer in the sixth. The Cubs had their chances against De La Rosa (10-8), who struggled early but last 7 2-3 innings. They left the bases loaded in the first and second innings, but after that De La Rosa settled down. He retired 10 of 11 batters in the middle innings and struck out the side in the fourth. He loaded the bases in the eighth before Rafael Betancourt retired pinch-hitter Aaron Miles to get out of the jam.

NOTES: De La Rosa's 11 strikeouts were one short of his career high set May 9 against Florida. ... Chicago left 13 runners on base for the second straight game. ... Cubs 3B Aramis Ramirez (left shoulder soreness) was out of the lineup Monday. Manager Lou Piniella said Ramirez will be seen by the team doctor in Chicago on Tuesday. ... Rockies RHP Aaron Cook (right big toe) will pitch a bullpen session Thursday and is scheduled to start Saturday in Florida.

[Associated Press]

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