MILWAUKEE
Pinch-hitter Wilin Rosario homered in the 10th inning after being scratched from the starting lineup, leading the Colorado Rockies to a 5-4 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday night.
Rosario initially was in the Rockies’ batting order in place of Justin Morneau, who was hit in the neck by a ball while running the bases Tuesday night. Morneau took batting practice and talked his way into the lineup, sending Rosario to the bench for the third consecutive game.
The big right-hander, however, hit a full-count pitch from Milwaukee closer Francisco Rodriguez (0-1) over the wall in center field, giving the Rockies a three-game sweep in the season-opening series.
Colorado closer LaTroy Hawkins (1-0) got the win despite giving up a pair of runs in the ninth to send the game into extra innings.
John Axford, who had 106 saves for the Brewers from 2009-13, pitched the 10th to earn his first save for Colorado after signing as a non-roster invitee during the offseason.
The Brewers forced extra innings when pinch-hitter Ryan Braun hit a weak run batted in dribbler that stopped before third base for a single, scoring Gerardo Parra without a play and bringing the Brewers to 4-3. Carlos Gomez then singled in Jean Segura.
Carlos Gonzalez, whose 2014 season was marred by injuries, hit a two-run homer in the eighth to give Colorado a 4-2 lead.
Gonzalez is 5-for-13 with three doubles and a homer to open the season. Last year, he batted only .238 with 11 home runs and 38 RBIs in 70 games.
Adam Lind hit a two-run home run for Milwaukee in the third inning. Lind is 6-for-10 with three walks in three games.
Corey Dickerson hit a solo home run, his second, on an 0-2 pitch from Peralta to tie the score 2-all with one out in the seventh.
Morneau had a history of concussions, but had no concussion symptoms after being struck with the ball on Tuesday night.
The Rockies will workout at Coors Field Thursday in preparation for Friday’s home opener against the Chicago Cubs. Left-hander Tyler Matzek will start for the Rockies against the Cubs.
