Rockies 4, Mariners 1: Jon Gray dominant in return from Triple-A

The Colorado Rockies are playing their best baseball of the season right as they prepare to head into the All-Star break. They won again on Saturday night by a score of 4-1 over the Mariners. They have won 12 of 15 games dating back to June 27, including four in a row. With Saturday’s victory they clinched their fifth consecutive series win (for the first time since 2014) and pulled within 2.5 games of the Diamondbacks for the NL West lead.

Gray returns

On June 28 Jon Gray was demoted to Triple-ABQ following a disatrous five earned in four innings against the Giants. He was called back up Saturday and more closely resembled the ace from the second half of last season. He retired the first seven batters he faced and didn’t allow a hit until Jean Segura led off the fourth with a single (he was later erased on a double play). It wasn’t until the eighth inning that a runner reached second base, when Chris Herrmann doubled home Ben Gamel to put the Mariners on the board. Nelson Cruz then singled on his 93rd pitch of the night and that was it for Gray. He finished with one run allowed on five hits, one walk, and six strikeouts over 7 ¹⁄₃ innings.

Adam Ottavino retired the next two batters and Wade Davis pitched a clean ninth, meaning Carlos González two-run home run in the bottom of the second was all the pitching staff needed.

Dugout hijinks

AT&T Sportsnet interviewed Kyle Freeland in the top of the fifth inning. His teammates would not allow him to be unperturbed.

It’s easy to have fun like this when your team is in the process of winning their 50th game of the season.

Not everybody had a great night

It’s a well known fact that running on the field is stupid (unless the plot demand it) and broadcasters will not show field invaders during the broadcast, so if you weren’t at Coors Field Saturday night, you missed a doozy. After a tank-topped bro sprinted most of the way across the field, he looked to be home free when he lept into the aisle on the third base side. Then, a justice loving Good Samaritan lit the guy up:

At least 47,788 fans got to enjoy your sprint and one got to enjoy tackling you. Enjoy that ban from the ballpark.

Up next

The Rockies play their 96th and final game before the All-Star Break on Sunday afternoon. They’ll be going for the series sweep over a very good Mariners team. Mike Leake will take the mound for the vistors while Tyler Anderson will try to continue his run of excellent starts. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 pm MT.