News National

Rockies Sweep D-Backs, Reach World Series

NPR

Published October 16, 2007 at 8:33 AM EDT

Jamey Carroll raises his glove in triumph as the Colorado Rockies celebrate their sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks. They await either Cleveland or Boston in the upcoming World Series.

The Colorado Rockies are roaring into the World Series like no team before them.

More momentum. More rest, too.

With their 21st win in 22 games, the relentless Rockies beat the rattled Arizona Diamondbacks 6-4 in Game 4 Monday night to sweep the NL championship series at chilly Coors Field.

Series MVP Matt Holliday hit a three-run homer into the pine-filled rock pile in center field that capped a six-run outburst in the fourth inning, and Colorado was on its way.

Born as an expansion team in 1993, the wild-card Rockies are headed to their first World Series.

"They always say baseball is about confidence and we have a lot right now," outfielder Brad Hawpe said.

The Rockies have a record eight days off before opening the World Series at either Cleveland or Boston on Oct. 24. The Indians lead the ALCS 2-1.

"It was fun, this has been a great ride. We're not done yet," said Rockies first baseman Todd Helton, the face of the franchise who cradled the last out in his glove. "We're going to keep it going."

With their delirious fans waving brooms and towels, the Rockies joined the 1976 Cincinnati Reds — The Big Red Machine of Bench, Perez and Morgan, et al — as the only teams to start a postseason with seven straight wins.

Colorado has won 10 in row overall and lost only once since Sept. 16.

"It's unbelievable. I never dreamed I'd have this opportunity," Holliday said. "With this group of guys I'm so excited to be a part of it. This MVP award goes 24 other directions."

Just one strike from postseason elimination on the final weekend of the season, the Rockies have become a charmed team that seemingly cannot lose. This marked the sixth straight year that a wild-card club reached the World Series.

"This has been different. They're very, very unselfish, and they kept working together, working together and believing," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said.

Colorado had never won more than 83 games before going 90-73 this season and sneaking into the playoffs with a 9-8, 13-inning win over San Diego in the wild-card tiebreaker — rallying for three runs against career saves leader Trevor Hoffman.

After sweeping Philadelphia in the first round of the playoffs, the Rockies put a purple pummeling on a D-backs club that finished with the best record in the league.

From Associated Press reports.