LOS ANGELES — Jon Gray, the Rockies’ gifted right-handed starter, learned another lesson Sunday during a 4-1 loss to the Dodgers.
Gray lost command in Los Angeles’ three-run second inning, giving up a home run, hitting a batter and walking three, but he was able to regroup and complete six innings.
“I’m getting to the point where I can get back on track,” said Gray, who allowed six hits and posted his ninth quality start in 14 games this season. “There are some days where you just don’t have it, don’t have your stuff. But you have to find a way to get it done. I’m learning to do that.”
Closing time. Manager Walt Weiss made it clear that rookie right-hander Carlos Estevez remains Colorado’s closer, at least for now, even though former closer Jake McGee rejoined the team Friday after a stint on the disabled list with an injured knee.
“Jake will be a late-inning guy,” Weiss said. “We’ll use him in the seventh or eighth inning, for now. I didn’t want to just rush him back and use him in the ninth right away.”
Plus, the hard-throwing Estevez has earned Weiss’ trust.
“We like Carlos’ approach and what he’s doing with the role in the ninth,” Weiss said.
Otto’s close. Right-handed reliever Adam Ottavino will join the Rockies on Monday in San Francisco with the possibility of being activated from the 60-day disabled list. Ottavino was the closer last April before undergoing season-ending Tommy John surgery.
Ottavino has made 10 injury rehab appearances, with the last two coming Friday and Saturday for High Single-A Modesto (Calif.). The right-hander threw one spotless inning each night.
“Everything’s good, and he’s close to being ready to go at the major-league level,” Weiss said. “It’s possible (he’ll be activated). That’s why we’re going to see where he’s at.”
Before his elbow injury, Ottavino was 3-for-3 on save chances and held opponents to a .094 batting average.
Footnotes. Weiss confirmed that righty Tyler Chatwood (8-4, 3.15 ERA), who strained his back June 18, will start Tuesday night at San Francisco. … While the Rockies have struggled at Dodger Stadium, utility infielder Daniel Descalso has thrived. His solo home run Sunday produced the Rockies’ only run. In his last 14 games at Dodger Stadium, he’s hitting .438 (14-for-32) with a double, three homers and nine RBIs.
Looking ahead …
Rockies LHP Tyler Anderson (0-2, 2.66 ERA) at Giants RHP Jake Peavy (4-7, 5.33), 2:05 p.m. Monday, ESPN; 850 AM
After four big-league starts, Anderson has yet to earn his first victory and the Rockies are 1-3 in those starts. But the 2011 first-round draft choice has flashed promising skills. His ability to mix and match his four pitches (fastball, cutter, slider and changeup) and manage traffic is reminiscent of former Rockies left-hander Jeff Francis. Peavy struggled in his last start at Oakland, allowing seven runs (only three earned) on five hits and two walks with no strikeouts over 3 ⅓ innings. Despite the off night, Peavy has allowed three runs or fewer in seven of his last 10 starts. Colorado rocked the veteran right-hander for six runs on 11 hits in just four innings in the Rockies’ 10-6 victory on April 13 at Coors Field
Tuesday: Rockies RHP Tyler Chatwood (8-4, 3.15 ERA) at Giants LHP Madison Bumgarner (9-4, 2.20), 8:15 p.m., ROOT
Wednesday: Rockies LHP Jorge De La Rosa (5-5, 5.98) at Giants RHP Johnny Cueto (12-1, 2.57), 8;15 p.m., ROOT
Thursday: Phillies RHP Aaron Nola (5-8, 4.69) at Rockies RHP Chad Bettis (6-6, 5.86). 6:40 p.m., ROOT
