DENVER -- Coors Field is a difficult ballpark for any
pitcher to pick up a victory. But Jeff Francis continues to
thrive in Denver's rarified air.
Francis allowed just four hits over seven brilliant innings and
Matt Holliday had three hits and two RBIs to lead the Colorado
Rockies to a 3-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.
One of the promising young arms in the Colorado organization,
Francis (1-2) had gone winless in his first five outings of the
season. But the lefthander was nearly flawless in this one,
walking one and striking out five to improve to 11-6 all-time at
Coors Field.
Jose Mesa tossed a perfect eighth inning to set up All-Star
closer Brian Fuentes, who worked around a one-out walk in the
ninth to register his sixth save.
Francis received all the support he would need in the fifth,
when the Rockies touched up Reds starter Brandon Claussen (2-3)
for three runs.
Danny Ardoin's single plated Choo Freeman to get Colorado on the
board and, after Francis grounded into a forceout, Jamey
Carroll singled to place runners at first and second.
Holliday, who homered twice on Tuesday, followed with a long
two-run double over the head of center fielder Ryan Freel to
push the advantage to 3-0.
Claussen worked 6 2/3 innings, yielding three runs, seven hits
and two walks with five strikeouts. Brandon Phillips had a
single and two stolen bases for the Reds, who lost for just the
third time in their last 14 games.