Chatwood’s magic continues on road
LATE WEDNESDAY: ROCKIES 2, GIANTS 0
san francisco » The Rockies’ road warrior finished in grand style Wednesday night at AT&T Park.
Tyler Chatwood, making his final start of the season, blanked the San Francisco Giants for eight superb innings and Colorado hung on for a 2-0 victory.
“I’m very happy, and proud of myself, for what I accomplished this year,” said Chatwood, who finished 12-9 in his first season since coming back from his second Tommy John surgery. “To be able to finish on this note was awesome.”
What Chatwood did on the road was historic. In 13 road starts, he finished 8-1 with a 1.69 ERA. That road ERA is the lowest in the majors this season (minimum 70 innings pitched) and the lowest in Rockies history (minimum 80 innings). Colorado’s previous road ERA king was Jhoulys Chacin, who posted a 2.44 mark in 2013.
As usual, there were some nail-biting closing moments for the Rockies. Left-hander Boone Logan was called on to nail down the victory in the ninth because the Giants had a string of left-handed batters coming up. But Logan immediately got torched for a leadoff double by righthander pinch-hitter Kelby Tomlinson. Logan struck out pinch-hitter Gorkys Hernandez and then Denard Span. Brandon Belt hit a grounder to first baseman Gerardo Parra for what looked like the game-ender, but Logan didn’t cover the bag in time and Belt’s single kept the rally alive.
“Boone was a little late getting off the mound,” manager Walt Weiss said. “Parra made a great play, because that ball was hit hard. … That was a tough moment, but we ended up getting the W.”
Into the fire came usual closer Adam Ottavino to face the dangerous Buster Posey. After an eightpitch at-bat, Ottavino got Posey to ground out to third baseman Nolan Arenado to end the drama.
Chatwood (12-9) allowed only three hits, struck out a season-high nine and walked two. He was aided by two terrific throws by catcher Tony Wolters. Wolters threw out Span trying to steal second base in the first inning, then threw out Connor Gillaspie trying to swipe second in the third.
Chatwood also induced clutch double plays in the seventh and eighth, innings which began with leadoff walks. It was another clutch performance from a player who exceeded expectations.