Rockies, trying to peck at D-backs in division, roll past Giants

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Jorge De La Rosa was in trouble from the start, so much so that Colorado Rockies manager Clint Hurdle had to turn away.

"I just stopped watching," Hurdle said. "I was talking to one of my guys ... and he said let him paint his own picture. You have to find a way to separate your emotions because that's what he's trying to do. Give him some rope and let him go out and pitch."

De La Rosa worked through his early problems and stuck around long enough to pitch six effective innings and help the Rockies beat the San Francisco Giants 7-2 on Tuesday night.

Chris Iannetta, Garrett Atkins and Troy Tulowitzki drove in two runs each to lead surging Colorado to its ninth win in 11 games.

The Rockies, who made an impressive late-season charge to win the NL West last season, pulled within six games of first-place Arizona and is only three games behind Los Angeles for second place. It's the closest the Rockies have been to the Diamondbacks since July 28.

De La Rosa (7-7) allowed two runs and five hits to win for the fourth time in his last six decisions. The left-hander struggled with his command but got plenty of help from the defense and some timely hitting from his teammates.

"It was a struggle with my control the first few innings," De La Rosa said. "I felt like the mound was a little high but I made good pitches after the second inning. I didn't lose my concentration. I just tried to make good pitches and get some ground balls."

Brad Hawpe added two hits for Colorado, which handed San Francisco its second straight loss after a season-high five-game winning streak.

The Rockies scored four runs in the third off Matt Palmer (0-2), who was making his third career start. Atkins and Ianetta delivered two-run singles in the inning when Colorado batted around to break the game open.

Palmer lasted only 4 1/3 innings and gave up five runs with six walks. After the game the Giants optioned the right-hander to Triple-A Fresno and recalled righty Osiris Matos.

"He was his own worst enemy getting behind and walking some guys," San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said. "Particularly to left-handed hitters tonight, he had trouble throwing strikes. He has to trust his stuff and work ahead better."

Tulowitzki's sacrifice fly in the fifth made it 5-2 and the Rockies added two runs in the seventh off reliever Jack Taschner.

Rich Aurilia had three hits and scored both runs for the Giants, who had won five straight and eight of 10 before dropping the first two games of the series with Colorado.

De La Rosa rebounded from a loss in his last start to complete what has been a stellar month. In six games during August, including two relief appearances, De La Rosa is 2-1 with a 2.22 ERA.

He walked the first two batters he faced in the first inning against San Francisco and gave up two doubles and another walk in the second before settling down.

"He was effectively wild," Aurilia said. "He threw a lot of pitches. We had opportunities, we just didn't score. We let him off the hook."

Jason Grilli pitched three perfect innings to earn his first career save.

The Rockies needed the strong outing from their starter after placing closer Brian Fuentes on the bereavement list earlier Tuesday. Fuentes notched his 26th save against the Giants on Monday but left the team to be with his family.

Fuentes can stay on the bereavement list three to seven days but Hurdle is not putting a timetable on Fuentes' return.

"When it's family issues I don't push it," Hurdle said. "He just needs to get back to his family and he'll come back when he can."

Right-hander Manuel Corpas, who has four saves in 11 tries, will handle the closing duties until Fuentes returns.

Game notes
The Rockies called up RHP Steven Register to take Fuentes' roster spot. Register was 5-3 with 16 saves and a 3.32 ERA for Triple-A Colorado Springs. ... Colorado rookie 3B Ian Stewart singled in the seventh to extend his career-high hitting streak to 10 games. ... The Rockies left the bases loaded three times, and left two on twice.