Bullpen, bottom of the lineup power Rockies second straight win

In a game in which Charlie Blackmon, DJ LeMahieu, and Nolan Arenado combined to go 1-for-14 with zero runs or RBI, the Colorado Rockies managed to plate six runs on eight hits thanks to the bottom half of their lineup, especially Ian Desmond and Tony Wolters, who have spent most of the season batting below .200.

It would be a stretch to say that Jon Gray turned some kind of corner or got an outing he desperately needed, but he certainly faired far better in this performance than he has over his last couple. He did give up seven hits all told, and is still struggling to locate his fastball consistently, but he was able to mix his pitches and locations well enough to avoid the big innings.

He was able to gut through five innings, which is not ideal for a Colorado club that has seen so many issues with the bullpen lately. But the ‘pen found some traction thanks to a potential breakout moment from a couple of youngsters and some grit by the vets, securing the 6-3 win.

The Rockies took the lead in the second when Desmond walked and Tony Wolters followed by ripping a ground ball just inside the first-base bag for an RBI double.

But the Reds tied it up right away, getting to Gray with a walk and two singles, the RBI coming from Jose Peraza.

The home team grabbed a one-run advantage in the third thanks to a lead-off double from Jesse Winker, a single from Joey Votto, and a sac fly from Scooter Gennett.

That lead didn’t last long as Colorado struck back in the top of the fourth on a ground-rule double by Trevor Story and an RBI seeing-eye single off the bat of Gerardo Parra. Parra came around to score on a line drive home run over the wall in left-center field from Desmond. It was his 11th homer of the season and second in the last three games.

Gray managed to power through his half of the fourth but ran into trouble again in the fifth, surrendering back-to-back doubles to Votto and Gennett to plate a third run for the Reds. After walking Eugenio Suarez, though, Gray was able to work out of the inning without further damage.

Carlos Gonzalez doubled to lead off the top half of the sixth for the Rockies and Desmond followed by drawing his second walk in the game. Oddly enough considering the headlines that followed Desi through the first few months of the season, it appeared the Reds were intentionally working around him.

Wolters made them pay for it, following up Desmond’s walk with a base hit again, this time a single that scored CarGo to make it 5-3.

With Gray’s pitch count elevating, manager Bud Black turned to rookie Harrison Musgrave to protect the two-run lead. As they so often have lately, things got tense with the Rockies bullpen, Musgrave walking a pair with one out. But the lefty out of West Virginia buckled down and threw some of his most impressive pitches of the season, striking out the side.

The capper came when he powered a high fastball past Votto to strand both runners.

Musgrave continued on in the seventh and got two quick outs before giving up a single to Scott Schebler. Black handed the baseball to Scott Oberg who promptly struck out Adam Duvall to end the frame.

The Rockies added an insurance run in the eighth when CarGo reached via a rare fielding error by Billy Hamilton in center field, scoring on Parra’s second RBI single of the game.

Oberg stayed in the game for the first batter of the bottom of the eighth striking out Alex Blandino before making way for Jake McGee.

McGee struck out Hamilton for the second out but then gave up back-to-back singles to Winker and Tucker Barnhart, putting runners at first and third. But Votto took a hack at the first pitch, driving it to left where Parra made the catch in foul territory.

Wade Davis worked the ninth without incident to earn his 20th save and secure the win.

Final Score: Rockies 6, Reds 3

Colorado improved to 32-29, 21-13 away from Coors Field. They have pulled into a tie with the Arizona Diamondbacks atop the standings in the NL West.

Final Stats:

Jon Gray: 5 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K

Harrison Musgrave: 1.2 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 3 K

Scott Oberg: 0.1 IP, K

Ian Desmond: 1-for-2, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB HR (11)

Tony Wolters: 2-for-3, 2 RBI

Carlos Gonzalez: 1-for-4, R, 2B

Gerardo Parra: 2-for-4, 1 R, 2 RBI

What’s Next:

The Rockies will aim for the series sweep on Thursday… morning? Lefty Tyler Anderson faces righty Tyler Mahle in a battle of Tylers. First pitch is at 10:35 (AM!) Mountain Time.