Chatwood, Rockies Get 3-0 Shutout Over Giants
Starter Tyler Chatwood pitched five shutout innings as the Colorado Rockies (41-69) won for the third time in four games, defeating the San Francisco Giants (61-52) 3-0 last night in California. Drew Pomeranz is scheduled to start Game 2 of the three-game series this afternoon at 2:05 MT at AT&T Park (TV: Root Sports).
Friday's shutdown work came on the heels of the Rockies winning two of three over the Dodgers, including a 2-0 blanking Monday night. The Rockies entered Friday with ERAs of 6.27 from their starters and 5.42 overall. But Chatwood (2-2) became the third starter to leave a game scoreless this road trip. Granted, Drew Pomeranz on Monday and Alex White on Tuesday went four innings each and weren't eligible for the win. Nonetheless, the Rockies have two shutouts this trip -- double their season total before the trip.
It was an important outing for Chatwood, who held the Giants to three hits with two strikeouts and two walks. Unable to make the starting rotation out of Spring Training, Chatwood began the year in the Rockies' bullpen, but has spent most of the year in the Minors and showed little aptitude for bullpen work. However, in his first Major League start this season, he gave up three runs and threw 76 pitches in 3 1/3 innings against the Giants on Sunday.
"I wouldn't say nerves got to me last Sunday; I just think I was erratic in the zone," Chatwood said.
Adam Ottavino pitched around two one-out walks in the seventh and finished his two innings scoreless, Matt Belisle threw a scoreless eighth and Rafael Betancourt earned his 20th save. With three wins on what will be a six-game trip, the last-place Rockies (41-69) clinched their first non-losing road trip since going 3-3 at Milwaukee and Pittsburgh from April 20-25. The Giants (61-52) slipped into a first-place tie with the Dodgers, who won at Miami on Friday.
With Jhoulys Chacin nearing his comeback from a nerve issue in his chest that has kept him off the Major League mound since May 1, Chatwood, who was pressed into 25 starts last year with the Angels before joining the Rockies in an offseason trade, needed a strong outing to earn more chances.
Official: Friday's Box Score.
He delivered, throwing 71 pitches and facing 18 batters through five innings before manager Jim Tracy removed him under the guidelines of the club's four-starter paired pitching system. Rockies internal stats say facing a lineup a third time is problematic, so Chatwood didn't have to do it. Strong bullpen work allowed Chatwood to hold onto just the sixth win for a Rockies starter since the system was instituted in late June.
Chatwood had help from catcher Wilin Rosario, who not only doubled twice and scored once against Giants starter Tim Lincecum (6-12), but caught two runners stealing in tough situations.
Tickets are available for the Rockies’ next home game at Coors Field vs. the Milwaukee Brewers on August 13th, and can be purchased by calling (800) 388-ROCK, or click here.
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