Rockies at Diamondbacks
The Colorado Rockies were part of the highest-scoring four-game series in modern history over the weekend and show no signs of slowing down. Leadoff hitter Charlie Blackmon has been setting the tone for the Rockies, who continue their three-game series against the host Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday.
Blackmon extended his on-base streak to 28 consecutive games with three hits in Tuesday’s 8-1 victory while Nolan Arenado homered and drove in three runs as the Rockies moved into second place in the National League West, a game ahead of Arizona. The reigning NL Player of the Week, Blackmon is 18-for-29 with four homers, 10 RBIs and 11 runs scored over his last five games. Colorado has won its last six meetings against the Diamondbacks, who are 24-19 on the road but just 14-17 at Chase Field. “It’s hard to explain,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo told reporters. “One thing it tells me is that this team is a very close team. They go on the road and they bond and they get out there and do their job together as one. Maybe it’s limited distractions. Maybe when we’re on the road we're out there and it's all for one and we go out there together and perform. I can't explain it though.”
TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado), FS Arizona
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Jon Gray (6-5, 4.38 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Zack Greinke (8-2, 2.65)
Gray made a rare relief appearance in the ninth inning of Sunday’s wild 14-13 loss to San Diego, intentionally walking two batters before walking Matt Strahm with the bases loaded. The 27-year-old native Oklahoman earned the win last Thursday against the Padres after allowing four runs with 10 strikeouts over six innings. David Peralta is 8-for-18 against Gray, who is 2-3 with a 5.15 ERA in eight career starts versus Arizona.
Greinke took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and tossed 7 1/3 shutout innings in a 5-0 victory over Washington last Thursday. “I felt really good,” Greinke told reporters. “Everything was working, and things felt crisp. Most pitches I threw were coming out how I wanted them to. I felt good the whole time.” Trevor Story is 11-for-38 with five homers against the five-time All-Star, who owns a 12-6 record and 3.71 ERA in 32 career games (31 starts) versus Colorado.
WALK-OFFS
1. Colorado 1B Ian Desmond is 18-for-41 with three home runs and 16 RBIs during his 11-game hitting streak.
2. Arizona INF Jake Lamb (strained quadriceps) continued his minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Reno on Tuesday and could rejoin the team next week.
3. Colorado recalled INF Pat Valaika from Triple-A Albuquerque and designated LHP Mike Dunn for assignment.