Johnson’s 2-run homer, Saunders’ gem lifts Arizona to 3-1 win over Colorado

Rockies drop back in NL West with 3-1 loss

PHOENIX — Kelly Johnson hit a two-run homer to back Joe Saunders’ eight-inning gem and the Arizona Diamondbacks dropped Colorado farther back in the NL West with a 3-1 victory over the Rockies on Tuesday night.

The Rockies had a day off following Sunday’s 11-inning loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers and were hoping to keep up in the division against the last-place Diamondbacks.

Other than pinch-hitter Ryan Spilborghs’ run-scoring single in the eighth, Colorado couldn’t get much off Saunders (3-6) to drop 2½ games behind first-place San Francisco.

Johnson had the big blow, hitting his two-run homer off Jorge De La Rosa (8-5) in the third and Saunders did the rest, holding the Rockies to a run and six hits. Juan Gutierrez closed out the ninth for his 11th save.