Jon Gray threw seven strong innings in the Colorado Rockies 10-1 victory against the Philadelphia Phillies Monday night. While Gray was not dominant on the mound and lacked some command of his pitches, he was able to stay calm and collective.
Gray labored a bit through the opening innings as there was an apparent lack of command which resulted in three walks on the night. However, once the Rockies took the lead in the bottom of the third inning, Gray never looked back. Gray threw six shutout innings before Rhys Hoskins hit a solo home run in the seventh inning. It was the only run allowed by Gray on the evening.
Colorado scored their first two runs on back-to-back RBI singles from Nolan Arenado and Gerardo Parra off Phillies starting pitcher Zach Eflin. Catcher Tony Wolters later scored in the inning via a bases-loaded walk, with Gray replicating the same in the next at-bat. Ian Desmond later scored on a wild pitch to put the Rockies ahead 5-0.
The Rockies extended their lead in the fourth inning when David Dahl hit a solo home run, and Parra hit his second RBI-single of the evening. The Rockies were gifted another run in the sixth inning when Parra scored on a throwing error committed by Phillies’ shortstop Scott Kingery.
Following his rough start, Gray settled in on the mound and finished with a line of seven innings pitched, allowing one run on four hits while striking out seven batters. It was the best start from Gary in quite some time, and it could not have come at a better moment as Colorado’s push for the postseason continues.
Rockies’ youngster Garrett Hampson knocked in what would be the final run of the ballgame in the eighth inning when he smacked an RBI double to right center field, extending the Rockies’ lead to 10-1.
What’s Next:
The Rockies and Phillies will continue their series Tuesday night at Coors Field with first pitch set for 6:40 MST. Colorado has named Chad Bettis the starter.
