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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
MONTREAL (AP) -- Down to their last out, the Colorado Rockies had
the right guy at the plate.
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| Perez |
Neifi Perez hit a two-out, two-run triple in the ninth inning
and scored on a wild pitch Sunday, rallying the Rockies over the
Montreal Expos 5-3 for their third straight victory.
"I've always been able to come through in situations like
that," Perez said. "I don't get nervous at all."
The Rockies have won three consecutive road games for the first
time this year.
"I think today's was the most satisfying game," Colorado
manager Buddy Bell said. "From the standpoint of just sticking
with it, (comeback) wins are better than others. They're all good,
but when your back's up against the wall, you're just hoping for
something good to happen. That's always the best."
Todd Helton went 3-for-3, raising his major league-leading
average to .392. He also walked, and has reached safely in 15 of
his last 16 plate appearances for Colorado.
"I don't think about it," Helton said. "I just go out there
and play. A hit is a hit. I'll take every one of them."
The Rockies trailed 3-2 when Brent Mayne singled with one out in
the ninth off Scott Strickland (4-2). Pinch-hitter Terry Shumpert
also singled and, with two outs, Steve Kline relieved.
Perez hit his first pitch just past right fielder Vladimir
Guerrero's diving catch.
"I was saying, 'Get down! Get down! Get down!' " Perez said.
"He just missed the ball by inches. I love those situations."
Perez, who had three hits, scored when a pitch from Kline
bounced up the third-base line. Catcher Lenny Webster couldn't
locate the loose ball, and Perez crawled home after tripping over
Kline.
"He stayed right in the line and there was nothing I could
do," Perez said. "He blocked me without the ball, that's what I
don't understand."
Kline failed for the fourth time in 17 save opportunities.
"I threw him in a good spot and he hit it and it just fell
in," Kline said. "I just didn't end it."
Bobby Chouinard (1-1) gave up one hit in two scoreless innings
and struck out three. Gabe White earned his third save in four
chances with a perfect ninth.
With Montreal trailing 2-0 following Todd Walker's bases-loaded
sacrifice fly in the fourth, the Expos tied the game in the fifth
on RBI singles by Andy Tracy and Webster.
With Tracy on third, first base umpire Dan Iassogna called a
balk on Brian Rose that gave the Expos a 3-2 lead.
Rose allowed three runs and six hits in six innings in his third
NL start. His ERA rose from 0.82 to 2.12.
Game notes
The Rockies have outscored Montreal 29-8 through the first
three games of the series. ... Colorado has won just five of its
last 18 road games. ... Expos pitching coach Brad Arnsberg got into
a heated argument with plate umpire Alfonso Marquez during a mound
visit after Mike Thurman had walked Cirillo to load the bases in
the fourth. ... Webster is scheduled to appear in a Cornwall,
Ontario, court Monday to face charges of illegally importing a
handgun into Canada.
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ALSO SEE
Baseball Scoreboard
Colorado Clubhouse
Montreal Clubhouse
RECAPS
Tampa Bay 5 Chi. White Sox 3
Kansas City 10 Baltimore 5
Toronto 13 Minnesota 3
Detroit 5 Oakland 3
Cleveland 10 Seattle 4
NY Yankees 4 Anaheim 1
Boston 4 Texas 2
Los Angeles 7 Atlanta 2
NY Mets 2 San Francisco 0
Colorado 5 Montreal 3
Houston 14 Philadelphia 7
Arizona 7 Pittsburgh 6
St. Louis 6 Milwaukee 4
San Diego 7 Florida 3
Cincinnati 3 Chicago Cubs 0
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