Tremendous catch by Gomez seals Twins win

David Zalubowski, Associated Press

Minnesota Twins center fielder Carlos Gomez, bottom, remains on the warning track after running into the wall to catch a fly ball off the bat of Colorado Rockies' Yorvit Torrealba to end the ninth inning of the Twins' 4-2 victory in an interleague Major League Baseball game on Friday, May 16, 2008, in Denver. Twins left fielder Delmon Young, top, looks on.

Nick Blackburn handled the Rockies and got his first big-league hit. But it wasn't over until Carlos Gomez made a game-saving grab in center.

By La VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

Last update: May 17, 2008 - 12:07 PM

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DENVER - Twins center fielder Carlos Gomez had both wrists wrapped, a sore lip because he had just bit it and a slight headache.

But his tremendous running catch to end the Twins' 4-2 win over the Rockies on Friday saved Joe Nathan's save, locked up Nick Blackburn's victory and ended the Twins' three-game losing streak.

Delmon Young had three hits and two doubles and Adam Everett had two sacrifice flies as the Twins shook off getting swept at home by Toronto.

Nathan earned his 13th save, but it was rather laborious.

Garrett Atkins led off the ninth with a single. Brad Hawpe followed with a hard smash -- but right at Brendan Harris, who started a double play. Jeff Baker, however, put Nathan back on the hot seat when he drew a walk.

Then Yorvit Torrealba tagged a Nathan pitch toward center field that got most of the announced crowd of 35,336 on its feet. If it falls in, a run likely scores and the tying run is in scoring position.

Gomez, moving back and to his right, didn't want that to happen.

"I run to the ball and when I see it, I said to myself, 'Jump,' " Gomez said.

He caught the ball, smacked into the wall and tumbled to the ground. Game over.

"When I catch it, I say, 'Oh, no way,' " Gomez said.

He stayed down a few moments before getting up and celebrating a victory.

"Great catch in center field by Carlos at the end," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Blackburn (4-2) is showing he can be a reliable midrotation starter. He's the Twins' second-winningest pitcher behind the surprising Livan Hernandez, who is 6-1.

Blackburn faced the minimum over the first three innings, and over seven innings he held the Rockies to two runs and six hits, with no walks and five strikeouts.

On Wednesday, he half-jokingly grumbled about Gardenhire canceling batting practice for pitchers because he needed to hone his horrible swing.

"I think I'd need more than three days for my swing,'' Blackburn said.

But in addition to pitching well, he got his first major league hit in the fourth inning.

After being a day late on a 95-miles-per-hour fastball by Colorado righthander Ubaldo Jimenez (1-4), Blackburn bounced the next pitch into the hole at short and beat it out for his first major league hit.

The Twins dugout gave Blackburn a standing ovation. Backup catcher Mike Redmond signaled for the ball to be taken out of the game for Blackburn to keep.

"That was fun," Blackburn said. "I enjoyed it. It took me back to my high school days. I like to say I made better contact in high school."

Everyone could smile after pulling out a victory because of Blackburn's arm and Gomez's glove.