PHOENIX — The legend of Trevor Story got another chapter Saturday night at Chase Field.
The Rockies’ rookie shortstop lined a two-run triple down the right-field line in the ninth inning, lifting his club to a 5-2 victory over Arizona.
It was a magical piece of hitting by Story.
Down 1-2 in the count, he took reliever Brad Ziegler’s sinker and steered it the opposite way, nearly painting the chalk. Story drove in Ben Paulsen and Charlie Blackmon, both of whom had reached on singles. Nolan Arenado then drove in Story with a single to left, accounting for the final margin.
The ninth-inning rally was the final act to an impressive road victory. Starter Chris Rusin pitched like an ace for five innings, Story crunched a run-scoring double off Arizona ace Zack Greinke and the Diamondbacks were held to four hits. Closer Jake McGee, looking shaky, gave up a single and a double, but he escaped by getting a groundball double play and a groundout to third baseman Nolan Arenado to pocket the save.
Rusin’s command was excellent, reminiscent of the two complete games he pitched at Coors Field last season. However, Rusin was not stretched out enough to go deep into the game, so manager Walt Weiss lifted him after 76 pitches. The Rockies had to settle for five scoreless innings from the veteran left-hander. He allowed just one hit, struck out six and walked three. Rusin struck out all three Diamondbacks in the first inning, marking the first time in his career he struck out the side.
Gold gloves rescued Rusin in the fourth. Paul Goldschmidt led off with a single, and Yasmany Thomas sent a flyball to deep right-center, but Blackmon made a fine catch against the center-field wall. Next, Welington Castillo ripped a grounder over second base, only to see DJ LeMahieu make a diving stop and flip the ball to Story, who completed the double play.
Once Rusin left the game, things changed in a heartbeat. Jean Segura led off the sixth with a single up the middle off reliever Carlos Estevez, setting the table for Brandon’s Drury’s two-run smash to left that tied the game 2-2.
The Rockies broke through in the third, and, of course, Story was central to the rally. After Blackmon led off with an opposite-field single to left, Story crushed Greinke’s slider to a double to left, scoring Blackmon. Story raced home on Gerardo Parra’s single, giving Colorado a 2-0 lead. Unfortunately for Colorado, Parra was picked off between second and third, scuttling the chance for a bigger inning.
Greinke, rocked by the Rockies in the season opener when he gave up seven runs in four innings, was much more Greinke-like Saturday night. Arizona’s No. 1 starter shut down the Rockies after the third inning and ended up pitching seven innings, allowing eight hits and striking out eight.
The Rockies’ inability to deliver a clutch hit before the ninth inning nearly cost them dearly. They finished 3-for-12 with runners in scoring position, but Story delivered the game’s biggest hit right on cue.
Patrick Saunders: psaunders@denverpost.com or @psaundersdp
