Rockies 8, D-Backs 0: Senzatela shuts out Arizona

The Colorado Rockies defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks in what was an absolute gem of a performance from the starter Antonio Senzatela. The Rockies win stops the four game losing streak that began last Friday night and is the first win since Coors Cat appeared (Twilight Zone music plays). The win gives the Rockies a 2-4 record and now ties the series up at one a piece with the rubber match coming tomorrow.

Sensational Senzatela

Antonio Senzatela had it going on all game long. He threw eight shutout innings and only gave up four hits and two walks. It was night and day when compared to his first start this season that saw him give up seven runs in 3 ¹⁄₃ innings. Senzatela was aggressive and kept attacking the strike zone forcing 14 ground ball outs. He was also terrific holding runners when they reached scoring position forcing the D-Backs to go 0-for-6 in those situations against him.

This is the third time in Senzatela’s career that he’s shutout a team for eight innings. He did so back in 2017 against the Cardinals and against the Astros in 2020. If the Rockies want to stay competitive day in and day out, they’ll need Senzatela and the rest of the starting rotation to give performances like these often.

Hampyman on the loose

Garrett Hampson got the Rockies going early as he leadoff the game with a single on a comebacker that ricocheted off Madison Bumgarner. Hampson then used his elite speed to steal second which forced an errant throw from catcher Carson Kelly that allowed Hampson to quickly bounce back up and reach third. Chris Owings brought him home on what was his second triple of the season so far.

Hampson’s night only got better from there as he added on an RBI single in the fourth inning and two more stolen bases including this very close one in the sixth.

Hampson scored three runs in the game and finished 2-for-3 with two walks and three stolen bases. Hampson’s all around spectacular game is arguably one of his best career performances. It’s up there with his two separate two home run games against the Giants in 2019 and 2020.

Owings stays hot

Chris Owings had another perfect day at the plate going 3-for-3 with a double, triple and two RBI’s. He and Garrett Hampson have proved to be quite the lethal combo in the lineup combining for half of the teams total runs. Owings was halfway to a cycle before he was removed from the game in the sixth inning due to “right leg soreness.” His status going forward is yet to be known.

Owings is now 7-for-14 on the season with three doubles and two triples.

Defense wins games

The Colorado Rockies of the past have always been fortunate to have some smooth defenders on the left side of the infield with Trevor Story and Nolan Arenado (sorry to bring him back up, I know) who routinely provided highlight plays. Tonight, we got to see some great defensive work that likely saved some runs from the first base (what? first baseman can make plays?) and catcher positions.

The first moment came in the third inning after Carson Kelly leadoff with a double. Tim Locastro grounded out with a sharp hit right at C.J. Cron and Cron made a great read and threw to third instead for a chase down tag, which likely saved a run.

The second instance of great defense came in the eighth inning with runners at first and third with two outs. Senzatela buries one in the dirt but Elias Díaz quickly gets to it and makes a perfect throw to third to tag the speedy Locastro out.

Coming up next

The rubber match for this Rockies and D-Backs series will be tomorrow afternoon. This will be the final game of the opening home stand before the Rockies head west to visit the Giants. The projected starters are Merrill Kelly (0-1, 6.75 ERA) and Jon Gray (0-0, 1.80 ERA) for both the Diamondbacks and Rockies respectively. Gray will look to build off his impressive but brief first start that saw him leave early due to cramps.