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GAME LOG
DENVER (AP) -- This one's for you, kid.
Pitching less than two hours after the birth of his third child,
Armando Reynoso threw his eighth career complete game Thursday as
the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Colorado Rockies 12-3.
| | Offensive hero Jay Bell, left, congratulates Arizona pitcher Armando Reynoso, whose complete game was matched only by the birth of his third child. | "This was a pretty fine day for me," Reynoso said. "I have a
new baby and pitched a good game. I feel happy."
Matt Williams had a two-run double for a 2-0 lead in the seventh
and Jay Bell went 3-for-4 with two homers and five RBI for
Arizona.
Reynoso (11-12), who had lost five straight decisions, was set
to return to Arizona to be with his wife, Yolanda, after she went
into labor two weeks premature.
The two spoke on the phone before the baby was born, and Reynoso
decided to make his final start of the season.
"She told me to stay because I wouldn't make it to see the baby
born," Reynoso said. "So I stayed."
Both deliveries were a success as Yolanda had the couple's
second son about 90 minutes before the game and her husband held
the Rockies scoreless through eight innings.
"He's a smart pitcher, a very smart pitcher," Colorado's Todd
Helton said. "He knows what he has and he knows how to get people
out. We were sitting in there shaking our heads wondering how he's
getting us out."
Reynoso allowed three singles in the first two innings and then
retired 19 straight hitters before walking Ben Petrick with one out
in the eighth.
Helton ended Reynoso's bid for his second career shutout with a
three-run homer, his 40th, in the ninth. Closing in on his first NL
batting title, Helton went 1-for-4 and is hitting .374 with a
league-leading 142 RBI with three games remaining.
"As far as I'm concerned he's the MVP of the league," Rockies
manager Buddy Bell said. "Normally MVPs come out of the guys that
go to the playoffs, but I think he has to get strong
consideration."
For a while, it looked as though Reynoso's effort would be
spoiled by a dormant offense, but Arizona scored five runs against
John Wasdin (0-3) and two relievers in the seventh.
Wasdin left after Williams' double, and Bobby Chouinard gave up
a walk to Bell and consecutive RBI singles to Craig Counsell and
Rod Barajas. Counsell later scored on an RBI groundout.
Bell hit a two-run homer off Craig House in the eighth and added
a three-run shot to cap a five-run ninth.
"It is pretty special now that it is over, knowing that an hour
before the game Armando had a new boy," Bell said.
Reynoso, who spent four seasons with Colorado, earned his first
victory since Aug. 16 and improved to 3-2 in seven starts against
his former team.
The performance was a contrast to Reynoso's previous outing at
Coors Field on June 18, when he gave up nine runs in two innings in
a 19-2 Arizona loss. He gave up seven hits with one walk and four
strikeouts Thursday.
"Armando was just outstanding, especially with as many things
that were on his mind," Arizona manager Buck Showalter said. "He
really wanted the shutout, but the chances of that happening aren't
very good at Coors Field."
The Rockies have played 125 straight home games without being
shut out. They were last blanked at Coors Field by Andy Ashby on
July 4, 1999.
Game notes Colorado RHP Masato Yoshii had arthroscopic surgery
Thursday to remove bone chips and trim a bone spur in his right
elbow. ... In honor of RHP Mike Morgan, the Arizona players hired
an airplane to fly over the stadium with a banner reading, "NEED A
RIGHT HAND PITCHER? CALL 1-800 MO MAN." Morgan, who has played for
13 major-league teams, turns 41 on Oct. 8. ... Arizona OF Luis
Gonzalez broke his own club record with his 46th double. ...
Rockies 3B Jeff Cirillo finished the home schedule with a .403
average at Coors Field. He is hitting .234 on the road.
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ALSO SEE
Baseball Scoreboard
Arizona Clubhouse
Colorado Clubhouse
RECAPS
Anaheim 6 Oakland 3
Texas 13 Seattle 6
Baltimore 23 Toronto 1
Minnesota 4 Cleveland 3
Tampa Bay 11 NY Yankees 3
Boston 7 Chi. White Sox 6
Kansas City 8 Detroit 5
Florida 7 Montreal 4
Philadelphia 4 Chicago Cubs 2
Arizona 12 Colorado 3
Cincinnati 8 Milwaukee 1
St. Louis 7 San Diego 6
Pittsburgh 3 Houston 2
NY Mets 8 Atlanta 2
San Francisco 5 Los Angeles 3
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