Charging Rockies Sweep A’s, Starting Pitching Shines

The Colorado Rockies starting rotation has strung together a magnificent July and drawn the team within one game of the division-leading Dodgers.

After the disastrous 11-16 mark the Rockies posted in June, they have rebounded nicely for July, surging to a 16-5 mark as of this writing.

The rebound has leaned heavily on the starting rotation of Gray, Freeland, Marquez. Senzatela and Anderson.  The response from those five has been nothing short of spectacular.  Since his return from AAA, Gray has been nearly unhittable.  He has gone 7+ innings in his two starts since returning, giving up just six hits and two earned runs in those two games. Gray’s ERA for July is an outstanding 1.26.

The Rockies have won five straight games in which Kyle Freeland has pitched.  In those five games, Freeland has surrendered only 8 runs.  Freeland is on a masterful run, confounding hitters. Kyle’s season record of 9-6 with a 3.13 ERA is a solid mark for the 25-year old.

German Marquez’ up-and-down season has settled in.  Owner of his own five-game win streak with the Rockies but Marquez has taken the win in four of those five. He’s gone at least six-innings over the stretch and has been a workhorse for the Rockies.

Sandwiched around a couple of mid-July clunkers, Antonio Senzatela has tossed some gems of his own.  Capped with a one-run gem versus Oakland over the weekend, Senzatela has been great medicine for the ailing Chad Bettis.  Antonio’s solid pitching has allowed the Rockies to pace Bettis’ return.

Tyler Anderson’s July ERA checks in at a paltry 1.32.  He’s had five straight starts going six-innings or more and has been masterful on the mound for Colorado. A great ground ball/fly ball mix from Anderson keeps hitters guessing when facing the big lefty.

Let’s look at the individual games versus Oakland: