Walker, Colorado on Comeback Trail

DENVER — Larry Walker appears to be on the verge of another hitting tear.

Walker went three for three and Andres Galarraga increased his league-leading RBI total to 113 Saturday night as the Colorado Rockies rallied to beat the New York Mets, 7-5.

“The bottom line for Walker is when he is hitting the ball the other way, he’s the hitter you’ve seen most of the year,” Colorado Manager Don Baylor said. “When Walker uses the entire field he is back hitting the way he should.”

Walker singled, doubled, tripled and walked, raising his average to .380. On Friday night, he ended a 0-for-16 slump with a two-run homer.

“Certain teams had been running balls in on his fists and he’s been trying to pull the ball. Those pitches aren’t even strikes,” Baylor said. “Tonight he took a couple the other way and didn’t try to pull them. That is his game plan.”

Ellis Burks hit his 21st homer as the Rockies overcame a 4-2 deficit and won for the seventh time in 10 games.

New York, which made three errors, has lost six of eight. Bernard Gilkey, who had been batting .088 in August (three for 34), went four for four with his 12th homer and drove in two runs. The four hits matched his career best.

“I just went to the plate trying to see the ball and make solid contact,” Gilkey said. “I’m trying to get back to the way I used to swing the bat.”

Pete Harnisch, making his third appearance since rejoining the Mets, gave up four runs and eight hits in five-plus innings, leaving with a 4-3 lead.

Darren Holmes (5-2) got the win for the Rockies, Jerry Dipoto his seventh save in 10 chances. Greg McMichael dropped to 7-10 with the loss.

“After the two losses to Philadelphia and watching this club the last two nights you wouldn’t say this was possible,” Baylor said. “We played that poorly against the Phillies and turned around and played some of our best ball on back-to-back nights.”

NEXT SERIES FOR DODGERS

WHO:

New York Mets

WHERE:

at New York

WHEN:

Tuesday: 4:30 p.m.

Wednesday: 4:30 p.m.

Thursday: 4:30 p.m.