It’s hard to believe that Nolan Arenado started off last week going 0-for-4 against the Sim Twins when he finished the Sim Rockies 10-3 win against Sim Pirates going 5-for-5 with three singles, a double and a 3 run home run — one triple away from hitting what would have been his second career cycle.
The Sim Rockies line up was a tough match for Sim Pirates righty Mitch Keller, who took the loss finishing with 4 IP, 9 H, 4 SO and 6 ER. Evan Grills collected his fifth career win, giving up six hits and two earned runs over five innings.
It’s a slug fest
Trevor Story wasted no time getting the Sim Rockies on the board early the first inning — knocking in a two-run home run (his 21st of the year) to give the team a lead they would maintain for the entirety of the game. Story has hit five home runs in the last eight games, and is currently in first place in All Star voting for shortstop.
David Dahl’s bat continued its hitting streak in the second with an RBI double (36th of the season, leading the NL) to give the Sim Rockies another run to make it 3-1, until the Sim Pirates answered with a run to end the inning at 3-2.
With the Sim Rockies up in the top of the fourth, Arenado’s 408-foot moon shot (26th home run of the year) knocked in three more insurance runs for the Sim Rockies to take a 6-2 lead heading into the bottom of the fourth.
The Sim Pirates bullpen went to work in the fifth. Grills added another insurance run for the Sim Rockies with a RBI single, his seventh hit for the year giving the team a 7-2 at the end of the fifth inning.
The Sim Rockies didn’t score again until the eighth inning off an RBI double from Story to bring Daniel Murphy in to score, making it 8-3 Sim Rockies. Murphy finishing the game going 2-for-6 at the plate.
Now that’s a pinch hit
Sam Hilliard’s bat wasn’t as hot as we are used to, getting his second hit in the game late in the ninth inning with a single to put him in scoring position when pinch hitter Ryan McMahon stepped up to the plate. McMahon added two more insurance runs for the Sim Rockies with a 360-foot two-run home run, bringing the final score to 10-3.
Antonia Senzatela, Wade Davis and James Pazos combined for four innings of relief pitching to hold the Sim Padres to three runs.
For the record
The Sim Rockies are now 4-0 against the Sim Pirates after sweeping them at home earlier this season, and have won seven of their last 11 games.
Up Next
The Sim Rockies will look to continue their season winning streak against the Sim Pirates on Tuesday with the pitching match up of Germán Márquez (6-6, 5.96 ERA) vs Jameson Taillon (4-4, 3.18 ERA). There won’t be a broadcast, but check back to Purple Row for the recap!