PHOENIX — The Rockies have seen it happen too many times in recent years.
They head to the late innings clinging to a lead, only to see it evaporate in a rush of walks, singles and homers.
That didn’t happen Sunday in a 6-3 win over Arizona, although there were some sweat-inducing moments.
Starter Chad Bettis departed in the seventh inning after giving up a leadoff single to Rickie Weeks, and then Phil Gosselin’s single brought the tying run to the plate against reliever Justin Miller. Miller whiffed Brandon Drury for the first out. Then, pitching carefully, he walked the dangerous Paul Goldschmidt to load the bases.
In came left-hander Boone Logan, who struck out David Peralta looking. Then manager Walt Weiss summoned 23-year-old, right-handed rookie Carlos Estevez into the fire. Throwing 98 mph heat, Estevez struck out Yasmany Tomas on a 2-2 count.
“Boone is throwing the ball as well as we’ve seen in his three years here,” manager Walt Weiss said. “I always feel good about him matching up against a dangerous lefty. Peralta is a good hitter, but Boone did a great job.
“We put Estevez in a tough spot there with the bases loaded, but I wanted some power against Tomas, and he made some great pitches.”
Gray’s day. Right-hander Jon Gray will attempt to keep the Rockies rolling Monday night at San Diego. That’s his top job. But he also wants to notch his first big-league win, something that has eluded him in his first 11 starts.
“I can’t wait,” Gray said Sunday. “It would be good to get it out of the way and then get rolling. I think if I keep pitching like I am, good things will happen.”
Gray, 0-2 with an 11.42 ERA, owns the longest streak of starts ever for a Rockies pitcher to begin a career without collecting a win.
Weiss said Gray is “right on the cusp of taking his next big step.”
Footnotes. Reliever Miguel Castro is making slow progress rehabbing his sore right shoulder. The next step is for him to begin playing catch. … Utility infielder Daniel Descalso (broken hand) has begun taking light infield practice but is not hitting yet. Weiss said Descalso is a few weeks from returning.
Looking ahead
Rockies RHP Jon Gray (0-0, 11.42 ERA) at Padres RHP James Shields (0-4, 3.55), 8:10 p.m. Monday, ROOT; 850 AM
Gray has pitched 11 games in his major-league career but has yet to snare a win. That’s the longest such streak in franchise history for a starter. Gray feels like he’s close to breaking through, but his slider has been only so-so in two starts this season. The right-hander has been excellent on the road in his career, posting a 2.70 ERA in four outings. Shields lost his fourth game last Tuesday when San Diego fell 1-0 to San Francisco. He gave up just one run and three hits in seven innings, and although he has four quality starts in five outings, he remains winless. San Diego’s anemic offense has provided him just 1.2 runs of support per start.
Tuesday: Rockies RHP Eddie Butler (0-0, 3.86 ERA) at Padres RHP Andrew Cashner (1-2, 4.94), 8:10 p.m., ROOT
Wednesday: Rockies RHP Tyler Chatwood (3-2, 2.73) at Padres RHP Cesar Vargas (0-0, 0.87), 1:40 p.m., no TV
Thursday: Rockies LHP Chris Rusin (1-0, 1.69) at Giants RHP Matt Cain (0-3, 7.00), 8:10 p.m., ROOT
Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
