Perez Fails Rockies, Then Picks Them Up

Neifi Perez wasted no time making up for a costly error.

Shaking off a ninth-inning miscue that forced Colorado to bat in the ninth, the rookie second baseman singled and scored the winning run in the bottom of the inning as the Rockies beat the Oakland A’s, 4-3, on Saturday night.

“It was hard for me to walk from second base to the dugout,” said Perez, who booted a two-out grounder to allow the tying run to score. “When I walked from the dugout to home plate, I didn’t think about that. I wasn’t going to take it to bat.”

Perez led off with the single, went to second when center fielder Scott Brosius bobbled the ball, advanced to third on Quinton McCracken’s sacrifice, and scored on Walt Weiss’ one-out single off Mike Mohler (1-10).

“Rookie or veteran, you answer with a base hit or something spectacular,” said Colorado Manager Don Baylor, whose team extended its winning streak to five games. “It is the only way you can bounce back when you make an error like that.”

Mohler stormed out of the clubhouse moments after the game.

“How do I get out of here? I don’t want to talk,” Mohler said.

“Mike’s had a tough year,” Oakland Manager Art Howe said. “He just can’t seem to buy a break.”

Oakland trailed, 3-1, with two out in the ninth, but singles by Scott Spiezio, pinch-hitter Dave Magadan and pinch-hitter George Williams pulled the A’s within one. Perez then booted a grounder to second by Mark Bellhorn, allowing the tying run to score from third.

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NEXT SERIES FOR ANGELS

WHO: Colorado Rockies

WHERE: Anaheim Stadium

WHEN: Monday, 7 p.m. Tuesday, 7 p.m.