DENVER (AP) -The Colorado Rockies rely on catcher Yorvit Torrealba's calming influence and easygoing manner behind the plate.
If he contributes at the plate as well, that's just fine, too.
Torrealba hit a two-out, three-run homer in the sixth inning to break open the game as the Rockies beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-1 in Game 3 of the NL championship series on Sunday night to move within a game of sweeping the series.
After homering off Arizona starter and good friend Livan Hernandez in the sixth inning, Torrealba's exuberance was on display. He pumped his fist in the air as he rounded first base and was mobbed by teammates near the dugout.
The crowd cheered loudly for Torrealba and didn't quiet down until he popped his head out of the dugout for a curtain call. Torrealba's homer was his first of the postseason.
"I was so happy," he said. "I was thinking, 'Is this real?"'
It was.
And with his homer, Torrealba adds his name to the growing list of unlikely heroes to contribute to the Rockies' success.
Torrealba also had a clutch home run against San Diego's Jake Peavy to help the Rockies beat the Padres in the 163rd game to reach postseason play.
"It sure seems like in the big games he's able to step up and perform," outfielder Matt Holliday said.
Torrealba also had a double Sunday night and is 8-for-21 so far in the postseason. He may be the least-known name in the Rockies' lineup, but he's leading the team in playoff hits.
Not that Colorado's pitchers care about how he hits.
"We as a pitching staff love that guy," reliever Matt Herges said. "He's a thinker. He could go 0-for-20 behind the plate and it wouldn't even matter."
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