The Colorado Rockies entered Tuesday’s ballgame against the San Francisco Giants with their backs against the wall. Their lead in the Wild Card standings had dipped to below two games and the stress of playing meaningful games late in the season began to take its toll. With pressure running high, Colorado’s bats came to life, paving the way to a 9-6 victory over their National League West rivals.
The win was a much-needed one, but the biggest takeaway was the revival at the plate for the Colorado hitters. In recent time, Colorado’s bat’s have struggled to string hits together and drive in runs.
That was not the case Tuesday as Rockies hitters managed to plate nine runs on 13 hits. The win, paired with the Milwaukee Brewers’ loss to the Cincinnati Reds, extended Colorado’s Wild Card lead to 2.5 games.
It was a solid day all around for a majority of the Rockies hitters with DJ LeMahieu, Gerardo Parra, Trevor Story, Nolan Arenado, Mark Reynolds, Ian Desmond, Carlos Gonzalez, and Jonathan Lucroy all driving home runs for Colorado. All eight of Colorado’s position players, with the exception of Charlie Blackmon, recorded at least one hit in the game.
On the pitching side of things, it was a night of organized chaos for Manager Bud Black and the bullpen.
Tuesday’s contest was a bullpen game for the Rockies with starter turned reliever Tyler Chatwood getting the nod for Colorado. Chatwood would only pitch three innings by design as Colorado wound up utilizing nine pitchers on the night.
Chatwood, Chris Rusin, Carlos Estevez, Antonio Senzatela, Zac Rosscup, Pat Neshek, Jake McGee, Adam Ottavino, and Greg Holland all made appearances with Rusin earning the win despite logging just 1.2 innings, surrendering one run on three hits in that span. Holland earned his 37th save of the season.
The two foes will square off tomorrow afternoon to finish their season series from Coors Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 MDT.
