Wednesday, May 22, 2002
Rockies 7, Padres 6
The Associated Press
DENVER — Playing with a right elbow that probably will require postseason surgery, Larry Walker still is capable of moments of brilliance. Walker drove in three runs Tuesday night, helping the Colorado Rockies rally for a 7-6 win over the San Diego Padres.
His two-run single in the seventh keyed a three-run inning as Colorado erased a 6-4 deficit. Walker, the NL batting champion three of the last four years, also hit solo homer in the first inning.
“Big players show up at big times,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “He never ceases to amaze you — what he's capable of coming up with.”
Colorado had runners on second and third with one out in the seventh when Padres manager Bruce Bochy brought in left-handed reliever Alan Embree to face the left-handed hitting Walker.
Walker greeted Embree (3-2) with the two-run single to center.
“Late in ballgames, I prefer to see the manager bring the lefty in,” Walker said. “I just stay in better against lefties. I pull out against righties, but against lefties I stay in there and put the ball in play.”
After a passed ball by catcher Tom Lampkin allowed Walker to reach second, Todd Zeile lined a single to center for the winning run.
It capped an emotional 48 hours for Zeile, whose wife, Julianne, gave birth to the couple's third child, son Ian, early Monday.
Zeile was feeling responsible for the Rockies falling behind after committing a costly error in the fourth and lining out with a runner in scoring position in the fifth.
“I was glad to see us come back and pull that one out,” he said. “That was the most positive thing, coming back late.”
Bochy said his team had “some bad luck in the seventh inning. The ball bounced their way. We made a mistake on the passed ball. It was a cross-up. That turned out to be a big play.”
Another big play was Juan Pierre's dribbler, the second hit in the inning.
“The swinging bunt was what killed us,” Bochy said. “Then they got the sacrifice down and they found some holes in the infield.”
Todd Helton and Todd Hollandsworth also hit homers for the Rockies.
Deivi Cruz had three RBIs for the Padres.
San Diego's Dennis Tankersley, making his third big league start and seeking his first win after making the jump from Double-A Mobile, weathered three early home runs. He went five innings, allowing five hits and four runs, and departed with a 6-4 lead.
Justin Speier (1-0) pitched the seventh for the win. Jose Jimenez worked a perfect ninth for his 10th save in as many opportunities.
Speier, Jimenez, Rick White and Todd Jones combined to pitch 4 1-3 scoreless innings in relief of Jason Jennings.
Notes: The Padres activated OF Ron Gant from the disabled list (broken finger) and optioned INF Alex Pelaez to Triple-A Portland. ... Rockies coach Mike Gallego took over the third-base coaching duties for Toby Harrah, who was attending his son's high school graduation. ... Despite the win, Colorado is 3-11 against division opponents this season.
Reds Stories
Scott no-show for Bengals' workout
TE Brewer finally back in action
Reluctant Bengal expected today
Flesch pursues first PGA win in Memorial
Oak Hills grad improves on tour
Celtics 93, Nets 86
Angry Shaq ready for two games at home
Area's top basketball players honored
UK's Carruth transferring to Oklahoma
Hurricanes 2, Maple Leafs 1
Coming up this week
Cincinnati High School Highlights
Cincinnati High School Results
N.Ky. High School Results
Today's High School Schedule
• Return to Reds front page...
Rockies 7, Padres 6 
