Desmond robs Brinson of HR to preserve lead

MIAMI -- So that's why the Rockies moved Ian Desmond to center field this year.

The Rockies wanted to preserve 32-year-old Charlie Blackmon’s legs and moved him to right for Desmond -- never mind that at 33, Desmond is the oldest regular center fielder in the Majors.

Well, those legs looked young as Desmond saved a one-run lead Friday in an eventual 6-1 victory over the Marlins, leaping above the wall to snatch Lewis Brinson’s leadoff fly in the eighth inning.

"I had a pretty good bead on it," Desmond said. "I put my head down, went back, looked up and had to adjust a touch. But it was one of those plays where it was, 'Hey, man, you gotta go.'"

Brinson felt swallowed up not only by Desmond's glove, but also by Marlins Park.

"Got fish-tanked again," Brinson said. "I thought I got it. Ian made a great play. He's just doing his job, like I would. If he would have hit one to me like that, I'm going to try to go up and get it for my team. It was a great play."

Rookie DJ Johnson was on the mound when it looked as if the game was going to be tied, but Desmond made the confident jump and brought it back. Johnson, 29, who debuted late last season, pitched in the National League Division Series and made a season-opening roster for the first time, noted he was "glad it was 407 feet out there instead of 405."

Desmond belly-bumped left fielder David Dahl on the field. Johnson showed his appreciation after the inning.

"I just gave him a hug," said Johnson, whom manager Bud Black trusted in a game that was close at the time. "That's all I could do, a big thank you. It was a great moment."

"Those are game-changing plays," Black said. "I think you saw the reaction of all the players around the diamond. That was cool for me."

Veteran Mike Dunn entered and set down the final two batters of the inning. The Rockies blew the game open with a four-run top of the ninth, while Brinson and the Marlins had to wonder, "What if?"

"Definitely -- momentum is in our favor there if that ball goes over the fence and we tie the game," Brinson said. "But it didn't. Regardless, we've got to keep fighting. That's definitely a momentum swing if that ball does go out. It didn't. It didn't go our way."