DENVER — For the second straight day, Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story outscored the Atlanta Braves all by himself, powering the Rockies to a win and a sweep at Coors Field on Sunday afternoon. Rockies win, 7-2.
The rookie Rockie smashed his 27th home run of the season in the fourth inning, extending his lead as the most prolific home-run hitter in the National League in 2016. It was his sixth hit in his last seven at-bats at the time, including three home runs and a double. You can be sure the Braves will be happy that they don’t have to see Story again this year.
“It seems like every day we are talking about him going into the record books,” says manager Walt Weiss, only slightly exaggerating. This weekend, Story left the record for home runs hit by a rookie shortstop well in his rear-view mirror, waving goodbye to Troy Tulowitzki‘s total of 24 as he flew past them on the highway to greatness.
Story wasn’t the only guy in a Colorado uniform to have a good day, though. DJ LeMahieu preceded Story’s fourth inning shot with one of his own, his sixth on the year. It was just another two-hit day for LeMahieu who continues to have his batting average hover around .330, currently sitting at .327.
Nolan Arenado, who finds himself suddenly chasing his teammate on the left side of the infield in the home run column, blasted his 25th of the year in the first inning, the highlight of an effort that saw the Rockies bat around in the opening frame and score four times.
As it turned out, that was all Tyler Chatwood would need, though he wasn’t exactly dominant.
Chatwood became only the seventh pitcher since 1913, to throw five innings or less, walk at least eight, and allow zero runs. It was an odd outing indeed. Clearly, he didn’t have his sharpest stuff and it frustrated him early, but coming off an outing in which he got blown up by finding the barrel too often, Chatwood was determined not to give in.
He surrendered just one hit, induced a ton of weak contact, struck out six, and kept the scoreboard clean for a Rockies offense who is starting to pick up the quality pitching more and more.
Gonzalez Germen allowed a pair of runs in the seventh, blowing the shutout but that was all the Braves could salvage in a series that was all Rockies.
By the Numbers
4 – Trevor Story had four homers in 14 AB during this series. The Braves have had five HR in their past 300-plus AB at Coors Field, dating back to 6/11/14.
10 – Ten straight home wins against the Braves, that ties the longest home winning streak against any one team in Rockies history.
What’s Next
The Rockies begin a seven game road trip against the Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets. LHP Jorge De La Rosa (6-7, 6.07) will face off against RHP Yovani Gallardo (3-2, 5.69) at 5:05 PM MT on Monday.
