Funkerstation » nd when it opened, every player was at his stall

DENVER -- Carlos Martinez labored most of the game. Not with his pitches, but catching his breath.Martinez threw five effective innings despite struggling to take a deep breath in the thin air and added a two-run double, helping the St. Louis Cardinals gain ground in the NL playoff race with a 5-3 win over the Colorado Rockies on Monday night.The Cardinals moved into a tie for the second wild card with the Giants, who blew a ninth-inning lead in Los Angeles and lost 2-1 to the Dodgers.St. Louis and San Francisco are one game behind the New York Mets, who lost to Atlanta.Martinez, who turns 25 on Wednesday, gave himself an early birthday present by holding Colorado to two runs while striking out six. The right-hander is 9-1 on the road this season.Martinez (15-8) helped his own cause with a two-out double as part of a three-run fourth. He also was hit just below the left leg by a fastball from Tyler Anderson (5-6) in the third -- two pitches after Randal Grichuk lined a two-run homer.Really, though, the biggest issue for Martinez was breathing in the Mile High City.The altitude affects everybody a little differently, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. It affected him today, for sure.Martinez was cruising along until one out in the fourth, when Matheny came out to check on him. Martinez was quite winded, and a ball boy brought out a cup of water, which he quickly chugged and continued on his way.I tried to take deep breaths and stay focused, Martinez said through a translator. It didnt take away my focus in the game.Martinez was pulled after the fifth because of an elevated pitch count. The bullpen bottled up the Rockies until pinch-hitter Ryan Raburn hit a solo homer off Kevin Siegrist in the ninth to make it 5-3.After allowing a single to Charlie Blackmon, Siegrist struck out DJ LeMahieu before walking Carlos Gonzalez. The left-hander got Nolan Arenado to line out to left field for his third save.Anderson allowed five runs -- two earned -- in seven solid innings. The rookie is 5-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 12 starts at Coors Field.He ended up getting through seven, so it was a good outing, Rockies manager Walt Weiss said.Arenado, a Gold Glove third baseman, made a costly throwing error in the fourth. Martinez followed with a two-run double -- giving him six RBI this season -- and Matt Carpenter added a run-scoring single.We have seen (Arenado) make that play. He makes it look easy and that wasnt an easy play, Weiss said. And then the throw was a little high. It was a tough play.LeMahieu finished 2 for 4 to raise his average to .349 and take a slight lead over Washingtons Daniel Murphy in the NL batting race. Murphy is hitting .348.TRAINERS ROOMCardinals: Matheny said theres been no discussion of possibly activating OF Matt Holliday (broken right thumb) to serve as a pinch runner. Holliday is still dealing with some swelling issues in the thumb after batting practice sessions.Rockies: There are no plans for surgery on the broken left hand of 1B Mark Reynolds after he was hit by a pitch Sunday, ending his season. Its a tough break for Mark, Weiss said.HOLD THE ONIONSA launched baseball in batting practice left a burger joint in quite a pickle.The Helton Burger Shack located behind the bleachers in left field was closed Monday after a ball broke the glass protecting the prep area.No official word on whose liner actually broke the window pane -- Twitter conversations credited Holliday -- but it wasnt the restaurants namesake; Todd Helton retired after the 2013 season.BAD BLOOD?The Rockies have some history with Martinez. In July 2015, things got a little heated after he hit LeMahieu with a pitch.Martinez didnt think there was any purpose to the pitch that plunked him Monday night, even though it did sting.I dont think it was any retaliation. That happened last year. Its a new year, Martinez said. I wouldnt like to think that. I think it just got away.Anderson downplayed it, too.It was a ball that cut and hit him in the shin, he explained.UP NEXTCardinals: With 132 wins, RHP Adam Wainwright (11-9, 4.51 ERA) tries to move closer to tying Dizzy Dean (134) for sixth on the teams career list.Rockies: LHP Jorge De La Rosa (8-8, 5.22) is 4-0 with a 4.01 ERA in four starts against St. Louis at Coors Field. Patrick Beverley Jersey . Roman Josi had a goal and an assist to lead the Predators to a 4-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Monday night. Mfiondu Kabengele Clippers Jersey . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. https://www.clipperslockerroom.com/Customized/ .Y. -- Jayna Hefford scored the winning goal Friday as Canada survived a scare with a 4-3 win over Sweden at the Four Nations womens hockey tournament. Amir Coffey Clippers Jersey . And when it opened, every player was at his stall. Thats a sure sign that a team is in a slump and is searching for answers. "Its embarrassing to be at home and play the way we did," said defenceman Josh Gorges. Chris Paul Clippers Jersey . Gather a group of friends, or find a league to join online, draft your team, set your lineup and compete in a number of different formats. Oklahoma?defensive tackle Charles Walker has been ruled out of playing in Saturdays game against the Texas?due to a concussion he suffered in last Saturdays win over?TCU, Sooners coach Bob Stoops said Wednesday.Walker also sat out last seasons College Football Playoff semifinal against Clemson after suffering a concussion in praactice leading up to the game.ddddddddddddWalker was rated the No. 20 prospect for the 2017 NFL draft, according to ESPN Insider Todd McShay.He has seven tackles this season, including two for loss. ' ' '