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Dozier crushes Rockies in first half finale

DENVER – Brett Anderson was hoping to give the Colorado Rockies a boost before the break.

Didn’t happen.

Anderson was roughed up in his first outing since April as Colorado lost to the Minnesota Twins 13-5 on Sunday.

The injury-plagued Rockies head into the All-Star break trailing the NL-West leading Los Angeles Dodgers by 13 games. But they’re steadily getting players back.

Anderson (0-3) was rusty in his return to the mound, allowing six runs – five earned – in five innings. The lefty had been sidelined since breaking his left index finger on April 12 while batting.

“My stuff was terrible, pretty much,” said Anderson, who was activated from the 60-day disabled list before the game. “I’ll put this one behind me. I feel good about staying healthy and go to my next one.”

Brian Dozier played his own version of Home Run Derby against the Rockies, hitting two into the left-field seats.

Next up, the real thing – in his home park.

Dozier had his first career multihomer game to get cranked up for the derby.

“A little momentum going into it,” the second baseman said of Monday’s contest.

At 5-foot-11, 190 pounds, Dozier doesn’t exactly consider himself a basher of the baseball. But he lined a solo homer in the eighth off Adam Ottavino and added a three-run shot an inning later when Brooks Brown served him a 94-mph fastball.

Dozier’s hoping he can carry that swing over to the contest. His brother is even flying in to pitch to him.

“It’s going to be fun,” said Dozier, who has 18 homers this season.

However, he’s not so sure he will even receive the biggest ovation at the contest even if it’s at Target Field. He thinks the return of Rockies first baseman Justin Morneau, who came up with the Twins, will draw quite a few roars, too. Morneau also was picked to participate in the derby.

“That’s going to be really exciting,” Dozier said.

Late fill-in Chris Parmelee gave the Twins an early lead, as he ignited a five-run first inning with a two-run single. He replaced outfielder Oswaldo Arcia, who was scratched with the flu.

The run support turned out to be enough for Phil Hughes (10-5), who picked up his 10th win despite allowing five runs and 10 hits in five innings. It was his first appearance at Coors Field.

“Didn’t like it very much,” Hughes joked of the hitter friendly park. “I didn’t have my best stuff or command or anything really going today.”

Hughes was able to stave off the Rockies after being staked to an early lead. Colorado trimmed the deficit to 6-5 in Hughes’ last inning when Morneau scored on Corey Dickerson’s groundout.

Sam Fuld provided some breathing room in the seventh when he brought home a run with a sacrifice fly. Parmelee then added another run when he ran home on a passed ball.

Dozier increased the lead in the eighth with his homer that was just inside the foul pole in left. He hit another an inning later, giving the Twins a season-high 18 hits.

Nolan Arenado and Morneau each had three hits for the Rockies.

Now, Rockies manager Walt Weiss wants his players to simply get away and clear their heads before trying to turn around their sinking season in the second half.

“We need to play with a sense of urgency,” Weiss said. “I was hoping we could get this series going into the break. Didn’t happen.”

Rockies rumpus

RHP Jordan Lyles (broken left hand) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list. Walt Weiss said recent X-rays showed Lyles’ hand “needed a little bit more time.” Weiss also said Lyles was involved in a minor car accident Friday night and suffered some facial injuries. ... Justin Morneau had his 31st multihit game of the season, tied with SS Troy Tulowitzki for most on the team.



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