In this original BSN Denver series, we take a look at some of the best Rockies’ photography of the last week as well as the top shot in the game of baseball.
Chi Chi Gonzalez gave up only one run to a first place St. Louis Cardinals club one week after similarly restraining the Los Angeles. The 2-1 win for Colorado was his first victory with the Rockies and first in his career since September 22, 2015. Gonzalez would pitch well during a four-inning start for Sunday’s sweep-securing win over San Diego, effectively lowering his ERA 1.84 runs (8.07 to 6.23) over his last three starts.Jairo Diaz celebrates his first career save with Tony Wolters following Tuesday’s win over the Cardinals. After missing 2016 due to Tommy John Surgery and losing his wife to stomach cancer in October of 2017, the journey back to the big leagues was more than painful than anyone could have predicted. Even for a brief two-month spell in 2018, Diaz was on the outside of professional baseball, stepping away from the game of baseball after being designated for assignment by Colorado in June of last year. Rockies fans are glad to see that radiating smile from El Panda at the back of their bullpen.Josh Fuentes rounds third base after teeing off on an 0-2 curveball by St. Louis starter Miles Mikolas for his first major league home run. Cousin Nolan Arenado later homered in the same game and two players traded playful quips in the clubhouse after the game. “That’s Nolan,” Fuentes began. “Obviously, I’ve been dealing with that my whole life. It’s not stopping now.” Arenado responded, “He had his fame for like 20 minutes. It’s alright. It happens. I’m going to buy him dinner tonight. He’ll be fine.”Nolan Arenado wallops his 40th home run of the season in the first inning, marking his third season with at least 40 home runs (41 in 2016, 42 in 2015) and joins Vinny Castilla as the only Rockies players with three 40-home run seasons. He is the fourth third baseman with a minimum of 75% of games at third base to notch at least three 40-home run seasons, joining Castilla and Hall of Famers Mike Schmidt and Eddie Mathews. Since August 1, Arenado leads MLB with 18 home runs and is batting .419 (26-for-62).Jesus Tinoco finishes off the second of three victories against the San Diego Padres on Saturday night. The win ensured the Rockies would not lose a season series to the Friars, something that hasn’t happened since 2015 (7-12). Colorado has also not had a losing record at home against San Diego since 2011 (3-6).Former Rockies infielder Charlie Culberson of Atlanta receives attention after taking a 90.9 MPH fastball to the face from Washington Nationals reliever Fernando Rodney on Saturday. The 30-year-old suffered facial fractures from the incident and is currently in good spirits. As Culberson was carted off the field, he gave a thumbs up to Rodney to show he understands there was no ill intent.
