The Colorado Rockies will try to build on a wild win in Friday's opener when they continue their three-game series with the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on Saturday.
The two squads were tied 4-4 after nine innings but the final score certainly didn't resemble an extra inning game, as the Rockies erupted for eight runs in the top of the 10th and claimed a 12-4 win.
The eight runs were a franchise record in an extra-inning affair for Colorado.
In the pivotal frame Wilin Rosario had two RBI, while Dexter Fowler and Marco Scutaro each knocked in a run with a single before Carlos Gonzalez unloaded a three run home run that put the game out of reach. Michael Cuddyer also added a solo home run for good measure in the inning.
Gonzalez and Cuddyer both had three hits in the win.
Jeff Francis improved in his second start this season for the Rockies, lasting 5 1/3 innings while allowing four runs on eight hits. After Francis left, the Rockies bullpen was dominant allowing just one hit while striking out five in 4 2/3 innings of scoreless work.
The Detroit bullpen also looked good before the extra frame, pitching 5 1/3 shutout innings after starter Casey Crosby was chased in the fourth inning. Crosby allowed four runs on six hits in just his third career start.
Jose Valverde took the loss allowing six runs, two of which were earned, in just two-thirds of an inning.
The win ended an eight game losing streak for Colorado which began a nine-game road trip on Friday. If Colorado is going to get a win streak going they'll need a better performance out of Saturday's starter Christian Friedrich.
After a strong beginning to his first season in the majors, Friedrich has really had a hard time putting together a string of strong starts. The 2008 first round draft pick allowed just two earned runs and struck out 17 batters over 13 innings in his first two career starts after being called up in early May, but has since been unable to consistently pitch well.
After getting lit up for eight earned runs over four innings pitched in a loss to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in his last start Friedrich's stat line is now highlighted by a 4-2 record and an elevated 5.85 ERA.
Since his first two outings Friedrich has been able to record only one quality start and has made it through at least the sixth inning in only two of five outings.
"He had nothing for a strike but a fastball," Rockies manager Jim Tracy said after Friedrich's last start. "He couldn't get his breaking ball over and had two badly misfired changeups that led to five runs."
Doug Fister will be making his first start in over two weeks when he takes the hill for the Tigers on Saturday.
Fister has been on and off the disabled list this season with a left side strain, making only one start in April and then missing the first two weeks of June.
Before his second stint on the DL Fister had been having a solid season with a 3.15 ERA in six starts, although he was unable to capture a win (0-3). In fact, before going on the DL for the second time Fister's ERA was a minuscule 1.84.
In his last start against Boston the left side strain clearly affected Fister as he allowed six runs on 11 hits over five innings of work to take his third loss of the season.
Fister will be making his first career start against Colorado in this matchup but if his career performance in interleague play is any indication it could be a nice welcome back from the DL for the right-hander.
Fister has a 2.17 ERA in four career starts in interleague play including a strong 2011 where it was a stellar 1.08 over three starts against National League opponents.
Colorado has now won five of its last six meetings with Detroit including taking two of three at Coors Field a year ago.
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