Rockies rookie right-hander Antonio Senzatela settled down after a busy first inning to limit the San Francisco Giants to just four hits over the next six innings, helping Colorado earn a 4-3 win in the series finale. With the victory, Colorado took three games of four from the Giants to conclude a 14-games-in-14-days stretch to open the 2017 season.
Both clubs put up three runs in the first inning at a rain-soaked AT&T Park. Colorado had scored its three runs before Giants starter Jeff Samardzija had recorded an out. Charlie Blackmon hit a leadoff home run, followed by a DJ LeMahieu single. Carlos Gonzalez and Nolan Arenado then hit back-to-back doubles to give Colorado the early lead. But Senzatela gave all three runs back thanks in part to a leadoff double by Denard Span, a triple by Brandon Crawford and a pair of sac flys. The Rockies played small ball to reclaim the lead the very next inning after a leadoff single by Tony Wolters. LeMahieu eventually singled him home.
The rookie Senzatela continues to impress. In three starts and 19 innings, the 22-year-old has posted a 2-0 record and 2.37 ERA, the best among Colorado’s starters. His 14 strikeouts rank second on the club. His final line on Sunday was 7.0 innings pitched, seven hits, three runs (all earned) with no walks and three strikeouts. Senzatela gave way to Mike Dunn and Adam Ottavino who stranded Aaron Hill after he hit a leadoff single. Greg Holland earned his seventh save in as many tries, secured by a diving catch by Gonzalez in right field to end the game.
Colorado has a well-deserved day off on Monday. The Rockies opened the season with 14 consecutive games played. Colorado stands with a 9-5 record, good for first place in the National League West. The Rockies resume play on Tuesday in Los Angeles with a short, two-game set before another off day Thursday. Colorado returns to Coors Field on Friday to face the Giants in their first trip to Denver this year.
