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Tempers flare as Rockies roll past Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks' Justin Upton, bottom, collides with Colorado Rockies second-baseman Kazuo Matsui in the seventh inning in Game 1 of the National League Championship baseball series in Phoenix, Arizona, on Thursday. PHOTO: AP

Colorado rolled right past Arizona -- and its rowdy fans -- to win the opening game of the National League championship series 5-1 on Thursday.

Jeff Francis outpitched Brandon Webb and the Rockies won in a game interrupted when fans angered by an interference call threw objects onto the field.

Umpires pulled the teams off the field during the eight-minute delay in the bottom of the seventh inning. Chief umpire Tim McClelland told Rockies manager Clint Hurdle to have Francis throw a pitch and "fight through it."

Once play resumed, the wild-card Rockies escaped a jam in their NLCS debut and won for the 18th time in 19 games.

Arizona lefty Doug Davis was to face hard-throwing Colorado rookie Ubaldo Jimenez in Game 2 in Phoenix yesterday.

Rockies hitters, coming off a first-round sweep over Philadelphia, waited out Webb. They were familiar with last year's NL Cy Young award winner -- this was the seventh time he started against Colorado this year.

Colorado's lone loss during its winning streak came against Webb. This time, the Rockies won with singles -- it was the first time this season they won without an extra-base hit.

"Our offense can find a lot of ways to win games," Francis said. "It's been fun to have them behind me this year."

On a hot night in the desert, tempers flared after a relatively calm six innings.

Down 5-1, Arizona put runners at runners at first and second with no outs in the seventh. Augie Ojeda bounced to third baseman Garrett Atkins, who threw to second baseman Kazuo Matusi.

Justin Upton, running from first, slid over second base and then rolled his right shoulder into Matsui's left leg, knocking the infielder to the ground. Second base umpire Larry Vanover called Upton out for interference, resulting in a double play.

Fans started throwing water bottles onto the field from the upper decks. When more debris followed, umpires told the teams to get back in the dugouts.

About eight minutes later, the Rockies returned to the field after admonishments from the public address announcer that anyone throwing objects on the field would be ejected.

Francis threw just one more pitch, giving up a bunt single to pinch-hitter Jeff Cirillo. Matt Herges relieved and walked Chris Young, loading the bases.

The Rockies brought Jeremy Affeldt from the bullpen, and he retired Stephen Drew on a fly ball to end the threat.

The game ended on a bad baserunning play by Arizona. Miguel Montero singled with two outs, but was tagged out when he overslid second base trying for a double.
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