Unlikely hero powers Rockies to another series win

DENVER – One of the truisms across all professional sports is that when teams are performing well they are getting contributions from everyone; the proverbial “it’s a different guy every night.”

On this night at Coors Field, in front of another capacity crowd, Pat Valaika was that guy.

Optioned to Triple-A earlier in the season after he was unable to recreate his magic from a season ago in which he was one of the deadliest bench players in the National League, Valaika has been much better in his second stint with the MLB club, culminating with a clutch performance in a 4-1 Rockies win over the Oakland A’s.

The Rockies are now 22-9 since June 19.

They got a gutsy, workmanlike performance from starting pitcher Antonio Senzatela who refused to give in to the hottest lineup in baseball despite a decent amount of baserunners throughout the game.

Nick Martini greeted Senzatela with a line drive into the left-center field gap that went for a ground-rule double. He moved to third when Matt Chapman singled through the right side.

It looked for a moment as if Senzatela would escape with no damage when Kris Davis’ one-out fly ball to right was turned into a perfect catch-and-release from Carlos Gonzalez. Martini was initially ruled out at home but after a long replay review, that was overturned and instead of the end of the inning, the A’s had their first run.

Senzatela limited it to that and the Rockies struck back in the second.

Carlos Gonzalez opened the frame by lining one into the opposite-field gap for a double. He came around to score when catcher Tom Murphy sliced one into that same gap, going for his first career triple. Murphy was able to trot home when Pat Valaika lifted a soft line single over the head of the second baseman, giving Colorado a 2-1 lead.

They added another on Nolan Arenado’s 27th home run of the season, a rare oppo shot for him that landed just on top of the high scoreboard in right, hopping into the crowd.

It was a third-straight inning with a score for the home team in the fourth when Valaika kept his bat hot by crushing one into the bleachers beyond the wall in left. It was his second homer of the season.

Senzatela navigated a bit of traffic through the second third and fourth innings before getting his first clean frame in the fifth. He picked up right where he left off in the sixth by striking out power-hitting-duo Kris Davis and Mat Olson. But after the second strikeout, his sixth of the game, he appeared to have some kind of physical issue, prompting a visit from the trainer.

Bud Black elected to leave him in but Senza couldn’t quite find the handle again, walking Stephen Piscotty and Marcus Semien before needing to give way to Jake McGee.

McGee picked up his starter by striking out Josh Phegley on an elevated, 95-mph fastball.

Seungwhan Oh made his Rockies debut in the seventh and ran into a spot of trouble after getting Dustin Fowler to line out. Martini singled to right and Matt Chapman drew a walk before Oh was able to retire Jed Lowrie on a fly out to a sliding Blackmon in center and Davis on a pop up to first.

It was Adam Ottavino’s turn in the eighth. He struck out Olson and got Piscotty. It looked like he had plunked Semien with a 1-2 pitch but a review revealed that the ball actually hit the bat. Otto froze him with a fastball on the outside edge for the backward K.

Wade Davis came on for the close attempt in the ninth and worked a 1-2-3 frame to secure the win.

Colorado improves to 56-47 and remains two games back of first place in the NL West.

The Rockies have not lost any of their last eight series.

Final Stats:

Antonio Senzatela: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 6 K

Jake McGee: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K

Seungwhan Oh: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

Adam Ottavino: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K

Wade Davis: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K (S: 29)

Pat Valaika: 2-for-4, 1 R, 2 RBI (HR: 2)

Carlos Gonzalez: 3-for-4, 1 R (3 2B)

Nolan Arenado: 1-for-2, 1 R, 1 RBI, 2 BB (HR: 27)

What’s Next:

The Rockies will aim to sweep the team that came to Colorado as the hottest club in baseball on Sunday afternoon. German Marquez faces off against Frankie Montas. First pitch at 1:10 Mountain Time.