Rosario and Francis overwhelm Pirates

Dexter Fowler comes through in a pressure situation, driving in Wilin Rosario with the game-winner in the bottom of the ninth to beat the Pirates.

Wilin Rosario

While that production makes Fowler the offensive and overall hero of the night, the star of the game was Rosario, who singled twice, scored twice and threw out two runners with the help of pitcher Jeff Francis. So mark that down - Rosario helped win a game with defense.

Eric Young Jr. doubled home two runs as a pinch-hitter so credit due to him.

Francis keeps surprising, allowing 1 run in 5 innings. His ERA over his last 6 starts - 3.12. Outstanding considering his career looked dead after posting a 4.82 ERA in 31 starts last season with Kansas City and honestly, he wasn't even as good as those numbers but the Rockies' no. 1 pick in 2002 has worked to have a career resurgence.

Rockies' Prospects Spotlight

High-A Modesto pitcher Christian Bergman threw 6 innings of 1-run ball and now has a 1.03 ERA over his last four starts. On the year, his ERA is 2.84. He could compete now at Double-A and I expect he'll be promoted before the end of the season but even if he isn't, if he pitches strong next year, and he will be challenged in Tulsa, he could be with the Rockies in late 2013 or sometime in 2014.

Bergman's teammate Kyle Parker is red-hot with the bat, finishing with 3 hits. He's hitting .312 on the season and 11-for-14 (.786) in his last 3 games.

Low-A Asheville catcher Will Swanner homered ( #12), finished with two hits and drove his average to .338 in what has been an impressive offensive season.Teammate Trevor Story hit is 24th and 25th doubles. Reliever Russell Brewer struck out two and lowered his ERA to 2.08. All three have held or raised their prospect status in 2012.

Short-season Tri-City's Tyler Gagnon threw 4 innings of shutout ball in his first start of 2012. A year ago, Gagnon posted a 2.57 ERA in 14 starts for the Dust Devils. Injured to start the campaign, Gagnon didn't make his first appearance until July 4th.