Rockies roll over D-Backs to extend lead in NL West

Kyle Freeland got in on the fun at the plate, too, for the Colorado Rockies.

Freeland pitched effectively into the seventh and had two hits as the Rockies beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 10-3 Thursday to extend their NL West lead. Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story homered and David Dahl had three hits and two RBIs to help Colorado take a two-game lead over Los Angeles and a 4½-game advantage over the third-place Diamondbacks. Los Angeles played Thursday night at St. Louis. Freeland played two parts: keeping Arizona’s offence in check until his left calf cramped up in the seventh and doing damage with his bat. He had an RBI double in the second inning and started a rally in the fourth with a bunt single down the third base line. Freeland (15-7) was just as effective on the mound. He allowed two hits through six innings and left with one out in the seventh after giving up two extra-base hits. A cramp that bothered him in the sixth inning flared up again, but he said he was fine. He was scheduled to face Clay Buchholz in the finale of the four-game series, but the Diamondbacks right-hander was scratched because of tightness in his elbow. Matt Koch (5-5) started in his place and allowed four runs on eight hits over three innings. Meanwhile, Arenado and Story entered the franchise record books with their long balls. Arenado’s drive, his team-leading 34th, gave him 100 RBIs to become just the fourth player in Rockies history to have four straight seasons with at least 30 home runs and 100 RBIs. Story’s homer, his 33rd, is the most by a Colorado shortstop. He was tied with Troy Tulowitzki, who had 32 in 2009.

Story trails Arenado in homers this season, but he did have bragging rights Thursday. His 471-foot drive bested Arenado’s by six feet.