TRIUMPHANT RETURN
Gray pitches like ace vs. M’s
Jon Gray returned to the big leagues Saturday night at Coors Field and pitched like the ace he’s always thought he could be. He was serenaded with a loud standing ovation by a sellout crowd and was wrapped in a celebratory bearhug by fellow starter Kyle Freeland.
Gray dominated Seattle for seven innings before faltering in the eighth as the Rockies notched a 4-1 victory. Colorado has now won nine of its last 11 games and 12 of its last 15. The Rockies have won five consecutive series, all against teams above .500. It marks the first time in franchise history Colorado has won five consecutive series against winning teams.
Gray, who pitched two games at Triple-a Albuquerque while searching for lost command, mound presence and self-confidence, tossed 7 innings, allowing one run on five hits, with six strikeouts and only one walk. Ben Gamel’s leadoff single in the eighth, followed by an RBI double by Chris Herrmann, marred what was an otherwise a brilliant performance.
“Automatic” Adam Ottavino came on to shut down the Mariners for two outs in the eighth inning, and closer Wade Davis pitched a perfect ninth for his 27th save in 31 chances.
Colorado’s lineup, lethal in July, provided Gray with plenty of support. The Rockies are batting .303 since July 1, tops in the National League. Entering Saturday’s game, their 18 home runs were second in the NL in July and their .319 average with runners in scoring position led the league.
Carlos Gonzalez put Colorado on the board with a two-run homer in the second inning, driving in Trevor Story, who had led off with a single.
Gonzalez’s swing was vintage Cargo, good for home run No. 11. He sat on lefty Wade Leblanc’s 86 mph sinker and drove it 455 feet to right field, the ball exiting his bat at 110.5 mph. Gonzalez, who went 1-for-3, is batting .341 over his last 38 games, fifth best in the National League over that span. Over his last four games, he’s hitting 7-for-14 with nine runs scored.
The Rockies added two runs in the fifth on a leadoff single by Charlie Blackmon, a triple by Ian Desmond over the head of center fielder Gamel and a chip shot single to shallow rightcenter by Nolan Arenado. Desmond now has 56 RBIS.
The Rockies will go for the sweep Sunday in their final game before the all-star break. They stand third in the National League West, 2½ games behind Arizona and two games behind the Dodgers.