DENVER (AP) — Joe Saunders tossed six solid innings, Justin Upton and Miguel Montero homered and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Colorado Rockies 5-3 on Wednesday night.

Jon McDonald and Gerardo Parra had two hits each for Arizona. The Diamondbacks have won 13 of 15 and increased their lead in the NL West to seven games over San Francisco.

The Giants lost to San Diego 3-1 on Wednesday.

J.J. Putz pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up his 37th saves.

Wilin Rosario, Kevin Millwood and Carlos Gonzalez homered for the Rockies.

Saunders (10-12) won for just the second time since the end of July. He gave up three runs on seven hits, walked one and struck out four to become the third Arizona starter with double-digit wins.

Arizona rallied to take the lead in the sixth. With two outs, McDonald doubled down the left-field line to score Paul Goldschmidt from first. Saunders helped his own cause with a single to right to drive in McDonald and give the Diamondbacks a 4-3 lead.

Upton led off the seventh with his 28th homer to make it 5-3.

Colorado took a 3-2 lead in the fourth on Rosario’s first career homer — a solo shot.

The Diamondbacks jumped ahead 2-0 in the third on Montero’s two-run homer to dead center field, his 15th of the season. The Rockies tied it in the bottom of the inning on solo homers by Millwood and Gonzalez. It was Millwood’s third career homer and Gonzalez’s 25th of the year.

Millwood (2-2) gave up four runs on 10 hits and struck out four in 5 2-3 innings.

Notes: Millwood’s homer was his first since May 18, 2002. … Arizona 3B Ryan Roberts was out of the lineup, but manager Kirk Gibson said it was not because of the spike he took to his left leg in Tuesday’s loss. … Rockies 1B Todd Helton (back stiffness) sat out his fourth straight game. Manager Jim Tracy said Helton could play Friday. … The Diamondbacks send ace Ian Kennedy to the mound Thursday in the opener of a four-game home series against San Diego. … Right-hander Jhoulys Chacin will start for the Rockies when they open a three-game series Friday against Cincinnati.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

DENVER (AP) — Geoff Blum homered, Wade Miley tossed seven strong innings and the streaking Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Colorado Rockies 10-7 on Monday.

Justin Upton also went deep and Paul Goldschmidt had three RBIs for Arizona, which has won three straight and 12 of 13. Blum had three hits and three RBIs.

The Diamondbacks began the day with a seven-game over San Francisco in the NL West after taking two of three from the Giants over the weekend.

Dexter Fowler homered from both sides of the plate, and Mark Ellis and Troy Tulowitzki also connected for Colorado.

Arizona pushed across five runs in the sixth to break open a close game. Blum led off with his second homer of the season, giving the Diamondbacks a 4-2 lead. Collin Cowgill singled and one out later Miley walked, chasing starter Esmil Rogers.

Willie Bloomquist greeted Josh Roenicke with an RBI single to right and Gerardo Parra reached on a fielder’s choice. Roenicke hit Upton to load the bases and Goldschmidt hit a three-run double down the left-field line to make it 8-2.

Miley (3-1) posted his longest start of the season while beating the Rockies for the second time in less than a week. He gave up two runs and six hits, struck out six and walked three. He also drove in a run in the seventh to give Arizona a 9-2 lead.

The Rockies made it interesting with a two-out rally against Micah Owings in the ninth. Trailing 10-3, Fowler hit his second homer of the game and fourth of the season. Ellis and Carlos Gonzalez walked before Tulowitzki hit his 29th homer to dead center.

Brian Shaw came on and struck out Kevin Kouzmanoff to end the game.

Rogers (6-5) was roughed up for six runs and eight hits. He walked five and struck out two.

The Diamondbacks took the lead for good in the fourth. Goldschmidt led off with a walk, Aaron Hill doubled and Blum singled to left to score both runners for a 3-2 lead.

Ellis hit a leadoff drive in the third for his fourth homer.

Upton gave Arizona a 1-0 lead in the first with his 27th homer. Fowler responded with a leadoff drive in the bottom half.

NOTES: Tulowitzki’s three RBIs gives him 100 for the season. It’s the first time he has eclipsed the 100-RBI mark. … Arizona of Chris Young celebrated his 28th birthday by sitting out just his fourth game of the season. … The Diamondbacks will send rookie Josh Collmenter to the mound Tuesday. Collmenter is 2-1 with a 3.26 ERA in four games — three starts — against Colorado. … Rockies 1B Todd Helton (back stiffness) sat out his second straight game. … Jason Hammel will start for the Rockies on Tuesday. Hammel has come out of the bullpen in his last three appearances after beginning the year in the rotation.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

DENVER (AP) – Geoff Blum has been a spectator while Arizona has put together a special season. He took advantage of a rare opportunity to join in on the fun on Monday.

Blum homered and Wade Miley tossed seven strong innings, leading the streaking Diamondbacks to a 10-7 victory over the Colorado Rockies.

Justin Upton also went deep and Paul Goldschmidt had three RBIs for Arizona, which has won three straight and 12 of 13.

The Diamondbacks maintained their seven-game lead over San Franciso in the NL West. The Giants won 7-2 at San Diego.

Blum has been sidelined by injuries for most of the year. He missed the first 92 games of the season with a knee problem. He was activated for 10 days before missing another 35 games with a fractured right pinkie.

“He’s been part of our team, unfortunately he’s been hurt this year beyond comprehension,” manager Kirk Gibson said. “He’s worked hard to get back where he is.”

Blum got his fifth start of the season and came up with three hits and three RBIs.

“I’ve been itching for about six, seven months now,” Blum said. “I’m more than ready to jump on these guys’ coattails and help them out.”

Both of Blum’s homers this year have come against the Rockies and he is 4 for 10 against them this season.

“It’s interesting how it works out,” he said. “Timing is everything.”

Blum has played on playoff teams in the past, including the Houston team that reached the 2005 World Series against the Chicago White Sox. Although he’s been sidelined for most of this season, he is enjoying the ride.

“It’s awesome. I’ve had a chance to be a part of some special teams over this years and this has grown into one of my more favorite,” he said. “It gets me excited about what could happen later on in October.”

The Diamondbacks had 13 hits despite Gibson sitting four of his regulars, and Miley (3-1) posted his longest start of the season while beating the Rockies for the second time in less than a week. He gave up two runs and six hits, struck out six and walked three.

“Go out and just try to keep the team in the ballgame as long as possible,” said Miley, who also drove in a run in the seventh to give Arizona a 9-2 lead. “It makes things easier when you put up nine, 10 runs.”

Arizona pushed across five runs in the sixth to break open a close game. Blum led off with his second homer of the season, giving the Diamondbacks a 4-2 lead. Collin Cowgill singled and one out later Miley walked, chasing starter Esmil Rogers.

Willie Bloomquist greeted Josh Roenicke with an RBI single to right and Gerardo Parra reached on a fielder’s choice. Roenicke hit Upton to load the bases and Goldschmidt drove a three-run double down the left-field line to make it 8-2.

“I slipped up and gave up two runs right there and they answered right back,” Miley said.

Dexter Fowler homered from both sides of the plate, and Mark Ellis and Troy Tulowitzki also connected for Colorado.

The Rockies made it interesting with a two-out rally against Micah Owings in the ninth. Trailing 10-3, Fowler hit his second homer of the game and fourth of the season. Ellis and Carlos Gonzalez walked before Tulowitzki hit his 29th homer to dead center.

Brian Shaw came on and struck out Kevin Kouzmanoff to end the game.

“We walked guys and threw the ball down the middle to Tulowitzki,” Gibson said. “It’s not what you want to do but we got through it.”

Rogers (6-5) was roughed up for six runs and eight hits. He walked five and struck out two.

The Diamondbacks took the lead for good in the fourth. Goldschmidt led off with a walk, Aaron Hill doubled and Blum singled to left to score both runners for a 3-2 advantage.

Ellis hit a leadoff drive in the third for his fourth homer.

Upton gave Arizona a 1-0 lead in the first with his 27th homer. Fowler responded with a leadoff drive in the bottom half.

NOTES: Tulowitzki’s three RBIs gives him 100 for the season. It’s the first time he has eclipsed the 100-RBI mark. … Arizona OF Chris Young celebrated his 28th birthday by sitting out just his fourth game of the season. … The Diamondbacks will send rookie Josh Collmenter to the mound Tuesday. Collmenter is 2-1 with a 3.26 ERA in four games – three starts – against Colorado. … Rockies 1B Todd Helton (back stiffness) sat out his second straight game. … Jason Hammel will start for the Rockies on Tuesday. Hammel has come out of the bullpen in his last three appearances after beginning the year in the rotation.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

DENVER – Geoff Blum homered, Wade Miley tossed seven strong innings and the streaking Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Colorado Rockies 10-7 on Monday.

Justin Upton also went deep and Paul Goldschmidt had three RBIs for Arizona, which has won three straight and 12 of 13. Blum had three hits and three RBIs.

The Diamondbacks began the day with a seven-game over San Francisco in the NL West after taking two of three from the Giants over the weekend.

Dexter Fowler homered from both sides of the plate, and Mark Ellis and Troy Tulowitzki also connected for Colorado.

Arizona pushed across five runs in the sixth to break open a close game. Blum led off with his second homer of the season, giving the Diamondbacks a 4-2 lead. Collin Cowgill singled and one out later Miley walked, chasing starter Esmil Rogers.

Willie Bloomquist greeted Josh Roenicke with an RBI single to right and Gerardo Parra reached on a fielder’s choice. Roenicke hit Upton to load the bases and Goldschmidt hit a three-run double down the left-field line to make it 8-2.

Miley (3-1) posted his longest start of the season while beating the Rockies for the second time in less than a week. He gave up two runs and six hits, struck out six and walked three. He also drove in a run in the seventh to give Arizona a 9-2 lead.

The Rockies made it interesting with a two-out rally against Micah Owings in the ninth. Trailing 10-3, Fowler hit his second homer of the game and fourth of the season. Ellis and Carlos Gonzalez walked before Tulowitzki hit his 29th homer to dead center.

Brian Shaw came on and struck out Kevin Kouzmanoff to end the game.

Rogers (6-5) was roughed up for six runs and eight hits. He walked five and struck out two.

The Diamondbacks took the lead for good in the fourth. Goldschmidt led off with a walk, Aaron Hill doubled and Blum singled to left to score both runners for a 3-2 lead.

Ellis hit a leadoff drive in the third for his fourth homer.

Upton gave Arizona a 1-0 lead in the first with his 27th homer. Fowler responded with a leadoff drive in the bottom half.

NOTES: Tulowitzki’s three RBIs gives him 100 for the season. It’s the first time he has eclipsed the 100-RBI mark. … Arizona of Chris Young celebrated his 28th birthday by sitting out just his fourth game of the season. … The Diamondbacks will send rookie Josh Collmenter to the mound Tuesday. Collmenter is 2-1 with a 3.26 ERA in four games – three starts – against Colorado. … Rockies 1B Todd Helton (back stiffness) sat out his second straight game. … Jason Hammel will start for the Rockies on Tuesday. Hammel has come out of the bullpen in his last three appearances after beginning the year in the rotation.

Read More: Mark Ellis (2B – COL), Geoff Blum (1B – ARI), Troy Tulowitzki (SS – COL), Justin Upton (RF – ARI), Esmil Rogers (P – COL), Dexter Fowler (CF – COL), Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks

Dexter Fowler would like to play the Arizona Diamondbacks every game for the remainder of the season. Since last week’s series against the Snakes, Dexter Fowler has four home runs–all against Arizona. He added two more in Monday’s game, a leadoff homer in the first inning and another one on the ninth inning. But the Rockies fell to the Snakes, 10-4, on Monday.

Troy Tulowitzki hit his 29th home run with two outs in the ninth inning to bring the game to 10-7, but that was as close as the Rockies would make it. Tulowitzki reached 100 RBI for the season, a new career high. Mark Ellis homered earlier in the game, his fourth of the season.

Esmil Rogers (6-5, 6.26 ERA) allowed a Justin Upton home run in the first inning, the 21st run he’s allowed in that inning this season. But it was the fourth and sixth innings where the real troubles appeared. Geoff Blum had a two-run single in the former frame and a solo shot to start the latter. After issuing a single and a walk, Rogers left the game. Josh Roenicke came in and allowed three runs to score for the 8-2 lead.

Greg Reynolds and J.C. Romero each allowed a run in their appearances.

The Rockies (66-75, 35-34 home) continue this series on Tuesday night with Jason Hammel and Josh Collmenter on the mound.

For more on the Rockies, visit Purple Row. AZ Snake Pit and SB Nation Arizona are you destination for more on the D’Backs.