by Troy E. Renck The Denver Post , The Denver Post

Welcome to the circus, where the Rockies beat the Washington Nationals 5-4 on Tuesday night under the tent at Coors Field. It felt more like an oddity than a victory.

"I never recall being in a game like that," reliever Alan Embree said with a wry smile.

He took home a souvenir as a keepsake. He became only the second pitcher since 1990 to record a win without delivering a pitch, and the first since B.J. Ryan in 2003. With Austin Kearns at first base and the score tied at 4-4 in the eighth, Embree received the pickoff sign. Bench coach Tom Runnells guessed right that Kearns was going, trying to sneak into scoring position.

In a play that captured the night's comedic undertones, Todd Helton caught Embree's throw, then slipped. But he was not penalized, because Kearns tripped as he burst for second base. Eventually, the ball ended up back in Embree's glove for the putout.

"I am not sure if I will be available (today). I am beat," joked Embree, who had the Baseball waiting in his locker afterward in a Ziploc bag. "It was a fun play for me because you just never think that's going to happen."

Clint Barmes turned Embree into a historical footnote with a sacrifice fly in the eighth. What transpired before Barmes' swing fit in snugly with the bizarre inning. With runners at first and second and one out, Washington manager Manny Acta pulled right-hander Julian Tavarez and inserted left-hander Joe Beimel, the bearded fellow, to face right-

handed pinch-hitter Ryan Spilborghs.

The unorthodox move appeared to work when Spilborghs grounded back to the pitcher. But Beimel turned and threw to Willie Harris, who was backing up shortstop Cristian Guzman 10 feet behind the bag. All runners were safe, leading to Barmes' decisive plate appearance.

"It (stinks). There's no way else to describe it," Beimel said. "When you're in it the whole game and it comes down to one play and you lose, it's tough."

In a similar spot in the sixth, Franklin Morales made a dashing debut as a reliever.

He inherited a bases-loaded mess from Jason Hammel, summoned to retire left-handed hitter Nyjer Morgan. After two sweeping sliders put him ahead 0-2, Morales froze Morgan on a 2-2, 93-mph fastball that "looked like it was 150," manager Jim Tracy said.

"I was excited. I have a job to do, and I need to do it," Morales said. "I felt great."

The Nationals? Not so much. The elephant in the room is whether they will unseat the 1962 Mets as the worst team ever. They lost 120. The Nationals are on pace for 114.

This one provided a victory the Rockies won't soon forget.

"No pitches, and (Embree) gets the win," Hammel said. "I want to get on his program."

Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com

Copyright 2009 The Denver Post All Rights Reserved
	Terms & Conditions     Privacy Copyright © 2009 LexisNexis, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.