Thomson Helps the Rockies Roll

John Thomson knew he wasn’t supposed to, but he couldn’t resist.

As he retired the first 14 batters he faced, Thomson began fantasizing about a no-hitter. “A couple of times, yeah,” he admitted.

After Jay Bell brought him back to reality with a solo homer with two outs in the fifth, Thomson gathered himself and finished with a four-hitter as the Colorado Rockies defeated Arizona Diamondbacks, 5-2, Thursday night at Denver.

Thomson (5-5) struck out six of the first 14 batters he faced and had a perfect game until Bell’s homer. Karim Garcia followed with a single but was caught stealing.

Thomson, 24, struck out a career-high 11 in his first complete game of the season and third of his career.

His four-hitter was the second-lowest hit total allowed by the Rockies in Coors Field. Bill Swift and Darren Holmes combined on a three-hitter against Cincinnati in a 13-2 victory in last year’s home opener.

“John Thomson was in command tonight,” Rockies Manager Don Baylor said. “He went right after hitters and pretty much had his way.

Dante Bichette had three RBIs, including a two-run homer, and Mike Lansing broke out of a 12-for-88 slump (.136) with three hits for Colorado.

NEXT SERIES FOR ANGELS

WHO: Colorado Rockies

WHERE: at Edison Field

WHEN: Tonight, 7; Saturday, 7 p.m.; Sunday, 5 p.m.