Thomson Helps the Rockies Roll

John Thomson knew he wasn’t supposed to, but he couldn’t resist.

As he retired the first 14 batters he faced, Thomson began fantasizing about a no-hitter. “A couple of times, yeah,� he admitted.

After Jay Bell brought him back to reality with a solo homer with two outs in the fifth, Thomson gathered himself and finished with a four-hitter as the Colorado Rockies defeated Arizona Diamondbacks, 5-2, Thursday night at Denver.

Thomson (5-5) struck out six of the first 14 batters he faced and had a perfect game until Bell’s homer. Karim Garcia followed with a single but was caught stealing.

Thomson, 24, struck out a career-high 11 in his first complete game of the season and third of his career.

His four-hitter was the second-lowest hit total allowed by the Rockies in Coors Field. Bill Swift and Darren Holmes combined on a three-hitter against Cincinnati in a 13-2 victory in last year’s home opener.

“John Thomson was in command tonight,� Rockies Manager Don Baylor said. “He went right after hitters and pretty much had his way.

Dante Bichette had three RBIs, including a two-run homer, and Mike Lansing broke out of a 12-for-88 slump (.136) with three hits for Colorado.

NEXT SERIES FOR ANGELS

WHO: Colorado Rockies

WHERE: at Edison Field

WHEN: Tonight, 7; Saturday, 7 p.m.; Sunday, 5 p.m.