Culberson, De La Rosa help Rockies beat Reds 7-3

Published Aug. 14, 2014 11:49 p.m. ET

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DENVER (AP) -- Charlie Culberson hit his first homer in more than a month -- a three-run shot in the fifth -- and Jorge De La Rosa pitched seven effective innings to lift the Colorado Rockies over the Cincinnati Reds 7-3 on Thursday night.

De La Rosa (12-8) allowed three runs and five hits. He improved to 8-2 at Coors Field this season.

Reds All-Star Alfredo Simon (12-8) is winless in six starts since the break. He allowed seven runs -- five earned -- and a season-high 10 hits in five innings.

Culberson broke the game open by lacing a 95 mph fastball from Simon into the left-field bleachers. It was his first homer since June 29.

The shortstop also showed some nifty moves in the field by sidestepping a piece of Todd Frazier's shattered bat to field the ball and throw out Frazier by a few steps.

Ryan Ludwick was hitless in his last 13 at-bats before breaking out with an RBI double in the second. He added a solo homer in the sixth that landed near the top of the stands in left.

De La Rosa tweaked his Achilles running to first in the second inning. But he came back out to pitch and didn't miss a beat.

The lefty has now gone at least six innings in 10 straight starts.

Charlie Blackmon broke a 2-all tie in the fourth when he drove in a run on a groundout. Drew Stubbs followed with an RBI single against his former team. Both runs were unearned after Simon threw the ball away trying to turn a double play.

Before the game, Rockies manager Walt Weiss seemed almost resigned to possibly losing injury-riddled outfielder Carlos Gonzalez for the season. He's on the disabled list with left knee tendinitis and a sprained right ankle.

The Rockies are already without star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, who will undergo season-ending hip surgery Friday.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Reds: RHP Homer Bailey is headed to the disabled list with a strained elbow. Manager Bryan Price said he will announce a starter to take Bailey's spot in the rotation Friday. There's no timetable for Bailey's return.

Rockies: OF Michael Cuddyer (broken left shoulder) could be back in the lineup Saturday. The reigning NL batting champ has been on the DL since early June.

UP NEXT

Reds: RHP Johnny Cueto (14-6, 2.05 ERA) can take over the NL lead in wins by beating the Rockies on Friday. Cueto is 6-0 in seven starts since losing at San Diego on July 2.

Rockies: LHP Franklin Morales (5-6, 4.97) will make his first career start against the Reds. He's faced them five times as a reliever, going 2-0 with two saves.