The Rockies were able to bounce back and beat the Reds, 5-3, Wednesday behind three hits from Pat Valaika and another strong outing from the bullpen. Manager Bud Black was complimentary of the relief staff, citing the bullpen as a major part of his team’s successes this season.
“You know that’s been a really big part of our success overall this year, when you look at the cumulative our bullpen’s done nice work. There have been some hiccups along the way, but overall they’ve contributed a great deal,” Black noted. “So, tonight was a tough game in that regard where [Scott] Oberg had to make some pitches, [Chris] Rusin had to make some pitches, Jake [McGee] had to get through the eighth, and Greg [Holland] had to get through the top of their order once you got to [Zack] Cozart and here comes [Joey] Votto and here comes [Scooter] Gennett. So, in a one run game, then we stretch it to two, and [the bullpen] did nice work.”
Black was also complimentary of Valaika stepping up on Trevor Story’s night off.
“Every game’s different. If Trevor Story would have started, who knows what he would have done. Right? You don’t know. But Pat had a good game. I’ve been saying it all year, I’m a Valaika fan. He got three knocks, scored a run, got a base hit then Alexi fielder’s choiced him. Then the homer, and another big hit to get the jug run in the eighth [inning]. So yeah he had a good game.”
The Rockies finish their four-game series with the Reds Thursday afternoon at Coors Field at 1:10 p.m. local time. The pitching matchup will be Tyler Chatwood (6-9, 4.41 ERA) for the Rockies against Sal Romano (0-1, 6.00 ERA) for the Reds.
