Fight Night: Rox win tussle with Phils

DENVER – The Colorado Rockies had their ace on the hill and got a whole lot of run support. What do you think happened? Exactly. Denver cruised to an 8-4 win over Philadelphia to claim the set and another winning homestand.

Jon Gray went seven on a night where the Rockies badly needed a strong start after their bullpen was tasked to go 8.2 on Friday. He stuck out four and allowed six hits on a night where he just needed to pitch to contact.

On offense the home nine brought nine to the plate in the first, scoring five and six more to the plate in the third where they added three. It was plenty enough for the Wolf of Blake Street to howl his way back into the win column.

After Gray went three up, three down in the first the offense loaded the bases with none gone. Nick Pivetta, the Phillies starter, was at fault for his own demise, walking Charlie Blackmon and hitting DJ LeMahieu. Nolan Arenado singled and clean-up hitting Gerardo Parra came through on a base knock to drive in two. Next Mark Reynolds kept it in motion for Carlos Gonzalez, who’d doubled then Jonathan Lucroy and Pat Valaika added an RBI each.

Following that Gray allowed his first hit in the third and eventually stranded him the Rockies got that and much more starting with a Parra double, Reynolds, moved him over and nabbed him self a base on a single. CarGo drove in one and then Valaika came brought taco’s to Coors Field with a two-run shot to left.

Gray then was charged with one—finally—in the fourth allowing a man to score on a double play whilst up. He shut the door from there on out and provided some great length for the club.

Newer addition Zac Rosscup got hit hard in the eighth, as the Phillies climbed their way back into the ballgame with three hits and a three-run homer from Daniel Nava. Following his departure, Adam Ottavino was able to make it through the rest of eighth without more damage.

The Rockies were unable to cash as soon as Mark Leiter stepped into the game in relief as he struck out nine and quieted the home team’s bat in his 4.1 of work. Spelling Leiter was Hector Neris, who worked himself into a jam in the penultimate inning. Yet the Rockies failed to score with the bases loaded and the ball was turned over to Pat Neshek with a four run lead. He did not budge and the Rockies won.

On Sunday, in the series finale, Aaron Nola is up against Jeff Hoffman.