Helton’s solo homer in eighth lifts Rockies to 4-3 win over Diamondbacks

Helton powers Rockies past D-backs, 4-3

DENVER — Todd Helton hit a go-ahead homer in the eighth inning and drove in a run with his 500th career double, lifting the Colorado Rockies to a 4-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday.

Carlos Gonzalez, who’s been mired in a slump that’s cost him playing time, had two doubles and scored twice as the NL wild-card leading Rockies won two of three against the Diamondbacks.

Juan Rincon (2-1) pitched a perfect eighth and Huston Street closed out the ninth for his 24th save in 25 chances. He struck Josh Whitesell looking to end the game.

The afternoon belonged to Helton, who put the Rockies ahead for good with a solo shot to right-center off Arizona reliever Scott Schoeneweis (1-2).

The Rockies longtime first baseman laced a shot off the right-field scoreboard in the third for the 500th double of his career. He becomes the 50th player in major league history to reach that milestone.

The game was temporarily halted as the crowd gave Helton a hardy hand. There was a video tribute to him and second base was switched out as a keepsake.

All the while, Helton just stood at second, almost bashful about the occasion.

On Helton’s landmark double, Seth Smith advanced to third, but was awarded home after the umpires ruled Stephen Drew got in Smith’s way as he rounded second.

The official scorekeeper credited Helton with an RBI, ruling Smith would’ve scored on the play if not for the interference.

Miguel Montero provided all the offense for Arizona, crushing a three-run homer off Ubaldo Jimenez in the third. Montero’s ninth homer of the season smacked off the facing of the second deck, giving the Diamondbacks a 3-1 lead.

The Diamondbacks catcher also hit a two-run homer the night before, lifting Arizona to a 6-5 win.

The Rockies scored a run in the second on a pair of bloop hits with two outs. Gonzalez looped a ball into shallow right that a diving Justin Upton couldn’t corral. When the ball bounded away, Gonzalez coasted into second.

Yorvit Torrealba followed with a blooper to center, falling in front of Chris Young as Gonzalez scampered home.

Gonzalez was starting in place of Dexter Fowler, who was given the afternoon off.

Mark Reynolds nearly added to his home run total in the first inning, hitting a towering shot down the left-field line that just curled foul. Reynolds has 25 homers this season, second in the NL to Albert Pujols.

NOTES: Rockies RHP Jason Marquis will miss his start Friday night against San Francisco with a bothersome blister on his right middle finger. RHP Jason Hammel will take his spot. Marquis, who leads the majors with 12 wins, won’t pitch again until Tuesday night in New York against the Mets. … Jimenez lasted six innings, allowing three runs and five hits. … Arizona RHP Jon Garland went seven innings, giving up three runs. … Rockies pinch-hitter Garrett Atkins had an RBI groundout.