On “Bark at the Park” night at on Wednesday, the “Gray Wolf” howled and delivered. The result was a satisfying, businesslike 6-2 victory by the Rockies over the .
The Gray Wolf, a.k.a. right-hander , continued his renaissance as a solid starting pitcher. Colorado has won each of Gray’s last nine starts since June 22, tying him with Ubaldo Jimenez in 2010 for the longest team winning streak by a starting pitcher in franchise history.
Desmond might have a batting average of just .234, but he came through with his latest in a series of big hits this season, waking up what has been a lethargic Colorado offense.
The victory was Colorado’s ninth in its last 11 games as it attempts to keep pace with Arizona in the National League West. The Diamondbacks remained 1 ½ ahead of the Rockies after beating the Angels 5-1.
“This is the time of the year we want to execute and do the things we talk about in spring training,” Desmond said. “There are a lot of good things going on. A lot of fundamental baseball, which is really good this time of year.”
After a rough first inning, in which Gray gave up an RBI double to Cory Spangenberg, the Rockies’ right-hander sailed through his next five innings, until Freddy Galvis smashed a long solo home run down the right-field line in the sixth, cutting Colorado’s lead to 5-2.
“Jon wasn’t as crisp as we have seen him, yet you look at it and he pitched into the seventh inning and gave up just two runs,” manager Bud Black said, adding that on a night when Gray’s trademark slider was a bit off, Gray was able to effectively utilize his curveball.”
Gray improved to 10-7 and lowered his ERA to 4.67 on a night when he pitched 6⅓ innings, allowing two runs on five hits. He walked one and struck out five. In seven starts since being recalled after his tuneup at Triple-A, Gray is 3-0 with a 2.59 ERA, 43 strikeouts and just 10 walks.
“I don’t think I’ve made a great adjustment from road to home, when I get back here,” Gray said. “I have to start my breaking pitches (differently). I didn’t feel like I had a great slider tonight, and I think that had something to do with it. I’ve got to be better making that adjustment.”
That said, Gray is pleased with his ability to compete, even without his best stuff.
“That’s what I’m trying to do,” he said. “I know there are going to be days like this when things aren’t going to be crisp and not that great, but you still have to find a way to win and keep your team in the ballgame.”
What the Rockies have lacked too many times this season — especially at Coors Field — was a knockout punch in the middle innings. But Desmond threw a haymaker in the sixth to boost Colorado’s lead to 5-1. Desmond tripled off the right-field wall to drive in and , both of whom had singled. It was Desmond’s team-leading eighth triple of the season, and he now has 69 RBIs, third-most on the team.
Desmond’s athleticism and hustle created a bonus run in the eighth. The first baseman led off with a single, swiped second base and then advanced to third on catcher Austin Hedge’s throwing error. Desmond scored on a headfirst slide at home on ‘ sacrifice fly. It was a showcase night for Desmond’s talents.
“Tonight was a little bit of a snapshot, for sure,” Black said. “It comes a lot of different ways with Ian. The little things, the subtleties of the game, he knows how to do.”
After falling behind quickly in the first inning, the Rockies struck back. led off the bottom of the frame with a single off San Diego right-hander Jacob Nix, stole second and scored on ‘s looping single to left.
A two-run second inning put Colorado ahead 3-1. Desmond drew a one-out walk off Nix and scored easily when Wolters ripped a triple into the right-field corner. Wolters then scored on Nix’s wild pitch. Wolters is batting just .160, but he has four triples this season, second in the majors among catchers, and he drove in two runs Wednesday night.
“I’m a baseball player,” Wolters said. “I expect to contribute. I want to catch my butt off, that’s my first priority. But I want to contribute offensively — hit guys over, hit and run.”
The Rockies and Padres play the rubber game of their three-game series Thursday afternoon at Coors.
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