A hail of a spring storm wiped out Monday night’s game between the Rockies and Chicago Cubs at . The game was rescheduled as part of a split doubleheader Tuesday.
The postponed game is scheduled to start at 12:10 p.m. Tuesday’s originally scheduled game will begin at 6:40 p.m.
Game 1 will feature right-hander Jake Arrieta starting for Chicago and and rookie right-hander Antonio Senzatela on the mound for Colorado. Cubs right-hander John Lackey will start the second game vs. Colorado rookie left-hander Kyle Freeland.
A strong hailstorm moved into downtown Denver on Monday afternoon and was followed by hard, steady rain. The game was called after a 1-hour, 16-minute delay.
The Cubs were coming off an 18-inning, 5-4 home loss to the New York Yankees that began Sunday night and didn’t finish until 1:14 a.m. Monday morning (CST). They didn’t check into their downtown Denver hotel until about 5 a.m. Monday.
All gates for Tuesday’s 12:10 p.m. game will open at 10:30 a.m. Separate tickets are required for entrance to each game. Tickets from Monday’s postponed game are valid for Tuesday’s 12:10 p.m. game only. Exchanges for Monday’s game may be made for any game throughout the remainder of the season — value for value, best available seating. However, exchanges must be made before May 31, 2017.
Gray’s day. While the Rockies and Cubs waited out the rain and hail Monday night, injured Rockies right-hander was basking in better news. Gray, who suffered a navicular stress fracture of his left foot April 13, had a bone scan Monday, and the tests were promising.
“It’s healing and seems headed in the right direction — the bones haven’t pulled apart and everything is right where it should be,” Gray said. “Everything feels a lot better. There is no pain.”
Gray said he will have another checkup Thursday, and it’s possible he can take off his walking boot after that. However, there is no timetable on his return.
“I’ve already missed three weeks, so it’s going to take a while,” he said. “I’m going to need to build up some arm strength.”
Gray is keeping as active as he can and has been tossing a baseball from 90 to 100 feet. Once the boot comes off, he will probably begin light running in a swimming pool.
In three starts this year, Gray had no decisions and posted a 4.38 ERA. He’s being counted on to return and help bolster the Rockies’ young rotation.
McMahon honored. Ryan McMahon, one of the Rockies’ best young prospects, earned Double-A Eastern League player-of-the-month honors for April at Hartford by leading the league in hits (30), total bases (54) and RBIs (20), and tying for the lead in triples (two). The left-handed hitter has played first, second and third base for the Yard Goats this season.
Looking Ahead …
Cubs RHP Jake Arrieta (4-1, 4.63 ERA) at Rockies RHP Antonio Senzatela (4-1, 2.84), 12:10 p.m. Tuesday, ROOT; 850 AM
Cubs RHP John Lackey (2-3, 5.14 ERA) at Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (3-1, 2.65), 6:40 p.m. Tuesday, ROOT; 850 AM
Hail, rain and lightning postponed Monday’s scheduled game between the Rockies and Cubs, but it did not mess with their pitching matchups. Arrieta and Senzatela, scheduled to duel in the series opener Monday, will meet Tuesday in the first game of a split doubleheader, followed by Lackey and Freeland. The delay is a boost for the Cubs. Their 18-inning loss to the Yankees on Sunday night depleted their bullpen. The postponement gave them a chance to rest. The Rockies, though, still have to get past Arrieta, whose only other start at Coors Field, in 2014, resulted in nine runs allowed over five innings. Freeland will face the Cubs for the first time in the nightcap. Nick Groke, The Denver Post
Wednesday: Cubs RHP Kyle Hendricks (2-1, 3.51 ERA) at Rockies RHP German Marquez (0-2, 7.31), 1:10 p.m., ROOT
Thursday: Dodgers RHP Kenta Maeda (2-2, 5.81) at Rockies LHP Tyler Anderson (2-3. 6.69), 6:40 p.m., ROOT
Friday: Dodgers and Rockies pitchers TBA, 6:40 p.m., ROOT
