Chatwood, Rockies handle Padres 6-1

On the night the 2007 Rockies playoff run was honored with a “Rocktober reunion”, the current edition of the team took another step towards clinching the fourth playoff berth in franchise history. Tyler Chatwood had a strong start and knocked in two of the Rockies runs in the victory, the team’s 81st on the season. No matter what happens the rest of the way, the 2017 Rockies will finish with the franchise’s first non-losing record since 2010.

The Rockies rallied for four of their runs with two outs in the second inning. It started with a Carlos Gonzalez single, which was followed by a Mark Reynolds double and an intentional walk of Jonathan Lucroy, which loaded the bases for Tyler Chatwood. The Rockies’ starter looped a single into right field that scored two runs. Then DJ LeMahieu hit a triple off the auxiliary scoreboard in right field that scored two more, and the Rockies led 4-0.

Tyler Chatwood had his second consecutive strong start since returning to the rotation. He didn’t allow a run until Wil Myers (who else?) homered off him with two outs in the sixth. Myers would be the last batter for Chatwood, who exited after allowing one run on four hits in 5 2/3 innings while walking one and striking out three. He threw 94 pitches.

Mike Dunn entered the game with no one on and two outs in the sixth and induced what seemed to be an inning-ending ground ball, but it went straight through Nolan Arenado’s legs and into left field. Then Dunn walked Cory Spangenberg on four pitches and the tying run came to the plate in the form of Erick Aybar. Scott Oberg came in and got Aybar to ground out weakly to Arenado to end the threat.

The Rockies finally added to their lead in the eighth inning. Nolan Arenado led off with his 34th home run of the season, and Trevor Story followed with a triple that fell just between Spangenberg and Margot in left field. He scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Ian Desmond that made it 6-1. There would be no taco’s tonight, as Carlos Gonzalez and Mark Reynolds each flied out to end the inning.

Jake McGee allowed two singles in the ninth but the Padres failed to score.

Tomorrow night will be an interesting pitching matchup as Tyler Anderson makes his first start since June 25th against recent Rockie Jordan Lyles. The game is at 6:10 MDT.