Rockies decline option on Betancourt

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DENVER -- The Rockies declined a $5 million option on right-hander Rafael Betancourt, a key setup man as Colorado won the NL wild-card race.

Betancourt filed for free agency later Friday. Colorado general manager Dan O'Dowd said the team will continue to negotiate with the reliever.

Betancourt went 4-3 with a 2.73 ERA in 61 games while splitting time with Cleveland and Colorado last season. He had 61 strikeouts to go with 20 walks and held opponents to a .209 batting average.

The Rockies acquired Betancourt on July 23, and he went 3-1 with a 1.79 ERA in 32 appearances for Colorado. He allowed one run in 2 1-3 innings against Philadelphia in the playoffs.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press

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