Rockies 10, Marlins 5
DENVER -- The Colorado Rockies scored early and often Saturday, making any comeback by the Miami Marlins a mountainous task.
The Rockies walloped the Marlins 10-5, thanks to a four-run first inning and a five-run fourth that put them comfortably ahead, 10-2.
First baseman Wilin Rosario hit two solo homers and right fielder Carlos Gonzalez belted a three-run shot as he continued climbing out of a prolonged slump.
The Rockies piled up a season-high 17 hits and inflicted most of their damage on Marlins starter David Phelps (2-3). He gave up 11 hits, six for extra bases, and nine runs in 3 2/3 innings.
The Rockies tore into Phelps for five hits and four runs in the first, their most runs in that inning since they began the season with four runs in the top of the first at Milwaukee on Opening Day, April 6.
Center fielder Charlie Blackmon and second baseman DJ LeMahieu singled to start the inning, and third baseman Nolan Arenado tripled them home. Rosario brought in the third run with a single, and he scored on catcher Michael McKenry's first career triple. It was the first time the Rockies had tripled twice in the first inning since April 27, 2012, against the New York Mets.
Gonzalez, who has reached base in 17 straight games, highlighted the fourth-inning uprising with his fifth homer, ending a homerless stretch of 69 at-bats since he last went deep May 16 at Los Angeles. He went 2-for-4 with a walk, and one of his outs was a hard line drive to right. In his past 17 games, Gonzalez has raised his average from .201 to .239 by going 17-for-50 (.340).
Rosario followed Gonzalez's blast with his second homer of the game and fourth of the season. It was the first time the Rockies had hit back-to-back home runs since Sept. 3, 2014, against the San Francisco Giants.
Chris Rusin (2-0), taking the turn of injured Jordan Lyles, was the beneficiary of all of the offense. He pitched seven innings and allowed seven hits, two runs and two walks, with a career-high eight strikeouts. The left-handed Rusin struck out Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton four times.
Rusin has a 1.45 ERA in three games and has pitched seven innings in each of his two starts.
The Marlins scored three runs in the ninth off Rafael Betancourt, who gave up five hits in the inning.
Marlins RHP Kendry Flores pitched 2 1/3 scoreless innings in his major-league debut. He took over in the sixth for Bryan Morris, who left the game with a lower-back strain.
NOTES: The start of the game was delayed 1 hour and 11 minutes by rain, bringing the total rain-delay time at Coors Field this season to 15 hours and 40 minutes. ... Rockies RHP Chad Bettis will start Wednesday against the Cardinals, giving him two extra days of rest. The Rockies adjusted their rotation because they began a stretch Friday of 17 games in 17 days. ... Rockies RHP David Hale is expected to be called up from Triple-A Albuquerque to start against the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday, which would have been Bettis' start on regular rest. It will be Hale's third start for the Rockies this season. ... Rockies LF Corey Dickerson (plantar fasciitis in his left foot) is expected to travel Sunday to the Rockies' complex in Scottsdale, Ariz., and play a couple of games in extended spring training. ... Rockies INF Charlie Culberson was activated from the 60-day disabled list and outrighted to Triple-A Albuquerque. ... Marlins RF Giancarlo Stanton hit his 172nd home run Friday, tying him with Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew for the fifth-highest home run total through 688 games in the majors. Ryan Howard hit the most (208).