The Colorado Rockies (84-70) kept the club’s playoff dreams alive with a 5-1 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks (79-76) Saturday night. The road win secures a crucial series victory as the Rockies continue to battle for a playoff spot.
Rockies starting pitcher Antonio Senzatela delivered one of his best starts of the season and the lineup was able to produce enough to win, despite stranding 10 runners.
Senzatela took a perfect game into the fifth inning Saturday night and retired the first 14 batters, before giving up a one-run home run to A.J. Pollock. The solo shot was the only damage charged to Senzatela in seven innings of quality baseball though.
Senzatela struck out four and gave up three hits in what was his sixth win in 2018. Of the 75 pitches that Senzatela threw Saturday night, 51 were for strikes. Throughout the start, Senzatela was able to locate his fastball and really only made one mistake.
While Senzatela was nearly perfect on the mound, it was an up and down night for the Rockies at the plate. Colorado totalled eight hits and five runs, but failed to capitalize on multiple opportunities to blow the game wide open. Nonetheless, the Rockies were able to do enough to come away with the road victory.
In the top of the fourth inning, Charlie Blackmon extended his hitting streak to 14 games, which currently lead the MLB. At the top of the lineup, Blackmon and D.J. LeMahieu combined for four of the Rockies’ eight hits.
At the bottom of the lineup, Chris Iannetta delivered two hits as well. The veteran catcher had three RBI against his former team and drew a walk in the ninth inning to give Colorado an insurance run for Wade Davis.
The Rockies and Diamondbacks will conclude the three-game series Sunday afternoon in Phoenix, AZ. Kyle Freeland is slated to take the mound for the Rockies. The young ace will face off against Zack Godley.
