Another game, another quality start and another hit by Charlie Blackmon. Rockies starting pitching continues to put the team in a position to win. Antonio Senzatela continued his strong start to the season striking out five Mariners en route to his third win. Charlie Blackmon did some damage at the plate extending his hit streak to 11 games going 3-for-4 with a HR, BB, 2 R, and 1 RBI. Daniel Murphy also chipped in with a home run for the second game in a row and four RBI. The win puts the Rockies record at 10-3 and keeps them atop the NL West, a half-game above the Dodgers.
Another quality start
Antonio Senzatela was fantastic once again for his third start in a row. He struggled a bit in the early innings with his location, but settled in and kept the Mariners’ bats at bay, limiting them to five hits over six innings. A Trevor Story error in the second inning set up the Mariners’ first run when a Mallex Smith single scored Dee Gordon from second to go up 1-0. Senzatela cruised through the next three innings before he left a pitch out over the plate and Austin Nola crushed a two-run home run. It was the biggest mistake he made on the day, but still turned in a fine performance and earned his third win of the season. The final line for Senzatela was 6 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 5 K.
New additions getting it done
While the Rockies haven’t made any flashy free agent acquisitions, they do have some new additions to the team in 2020 who are making their presence felt. Chris Owings started in centerfield and scored the Rockies first run on the day after leading off the third inning with a single. Today marked the first start behind the dish in a Rockies uniform for Elias Díaz who doubled in the second and also scored a run putting the Rockies up 2-1 in the third inning. Matt Kemp has earned his way to regular playing time as the DH, and scored a run after hitting a double in the sixth inning. In the bullpen, Tyler Kinley was unhittable again tonight with a 1-2-3 seventh where he struck out two.
Closing it out in style
Heading into the seventh inning, the Rockies were clinging to a one-run lead but with two outs in the top of the seventh Garrett Hampson expanded the lead with his first homer of the season. Later the eighth, Blackmon and Murphy delivered more insurance runs via the long ball giving the Rockies an 8-3 lead.
Home runs happen when strength meets opportunity meets preparation. pic.twitter.com/ajw8IWkUVJ
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) August 8, 2020
Daniel Bard gave up a run in the eighth, but he was sharp and struck out two Mariners. It’s encouraging to see a team just one week removed from a Wade Davis meltdown and serious uncertainty surrounding the closer position put away a win with such authority.
Up Next
The Rockies return to T-Mobile Park tomorrow for Game 2 of the three-game set. Ryan Castellani will be making his big league debut with Chi Chi González headed to the injured list. Nick Margevicius will get the start for the Mariners.