26Sep/0811:38 PM

Diamondbacks down Rockies on Tracy’s double

By Vince Marotta

Photo: Ross D. Franklin/AP

The Skinny: Chad Tracy doubled to right field scoring Chris Burke and Jeff Salazar, breaking a 4-4 tie, and giving the Arizona Diamondbacks a 6-4 over the Colorado Rockies in the first of a 3-game series at Chase Field.

The Diamondbacks fell behind 3-0, but fought their way back starting with Justin Upton’s solo homer in the 4th. Stephen Drew also homered in the 5th, and Upton struck again later in the same inning with a double that scored David Eckstein and Conor Jackson, making the score 4-3 Diamondbacks. Joe Koshansky then tied the score with a double that plated Clint Barmes to tie it a 4 in the 7th inning.

Miguel Montero started the game-winning rally in the 8th with a 2-out double. Chris Burke then pinch ran for Montero and Jeff Salazar drew a walk. Tracy was called upon to pinch-hit for reliever Juan Cruz, and delivered the game-winning double.

Dan Haren started for the Diamondbacks, and was decent, going 7 innings and allowing 4 runs and 8 hits while striking out 9. Cruz worked the 8th and earned the win to up his record to 4-0. Chad Qualls worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his 8th save of the season.

A sneak preview of things to come?: Justin Upton went two for three with a home run and a double, and drove in 3 runs. Since returning from an injury that kept him out from July 9th to August 29th, Upton is hitting close to .300 with 4 home runs and 11 rbis.

Qualls finally comfortable: Since taking over the role of closer, Chad Qualls has been virtually unhittable. He has a string of 14-straight appearances without being scored upon. He hasn’t yielded a run in 23 of his last 24 outings, and has converted 6 saves in a row. Those aren’t exactly Brad Lidge numbers, but Qualls is making an early push to be the D-Backs’ closer in ‘09. He’s been very impressive.

MLB.com: Recap | Boxscore

Here’s what others are saying about the Diamondbacks’ win over the Rockies…

D-Backs get win over Rockies [AZCentral]

Tracy’s pinch-hit double gives D-Backs 6-4 win [East Valley Tribune/AP]

Hurdle tossed in the Rockies’ loss [Denver Post]

Rockies fall to D-Backs 6-4 [Rocky Mountain News]

The series continues tomorrow as Brandon Webb goes to the mound for Arizona, seeking his 23rd win on the season. Glendon Rush will go for the Rockies. First pitch is at 5:10 from Chase Field.