Colorado Rockies: Rocktober is Alive and Well as Rox Sweep Braves

Antonio Senzatela returned to the rotation Saturday.

Having not pitched since August 2nd with a shoulder injury, Antonio Senzatela made his return on Saturday.  He gave Colorado five strong innings, giving up five hits and two runs over that span.

After Jake McGee, on in relief, gave up a hit to Ender Inciarte in the sixth, he picked him off/caught him stealing (1-3-6) to close the inning.  Scott Oberg would face only three batters in the seventh, giving up a hit but seeing that runner doubled-up on the next play.  Bryan Shaw split a pair of singles that earned Atlanta their third run before Adam Ottavino closed out the ninth, giving up a leadoff hit but closing out the next three.

The real fireworks provided by this game came from the Rockies half of the ninth.  After Carlos Gonzalez and Nolan Arenado groundouts, Colorado was facing a 3-run deficit with two-out in the ninth.  That translates into a .04% chance for victory.

Trevor Story got it rolling with a double off of Braves reliever AJ Minter.  David Dahl followed with a single and Ian Desmond drove in both with a double of his own.  Atlanta’s lead was cut to 3-2.  Gerardo Parra pinch hit for Bryan Shaw and ripped a single to score Desmond.  After a Parra stolen base, Chris Ianetta had a chance to put Colorado in the lead but could only manage a groundout to third.

Tie game.

Enter the 10th, Braves pitcher Luke Jackson set to face the top of the Rockies order.  A weak groundout to first from leadoff hitter Charlie Blackmon led to a solo home run from DJ LeMahieu and the lead.  Rebounding from their ninth inning groundouts, Carlos Gonzalez and Nolan Arenado followed DJ’s shot with a double and an RBI single, respectively.  Colorado 5, Atlanta 3.

Wade Davis set the Braves down in order in an anticlimactic bottom-of-the-10th and Rockies fans took notice.  The level of excitement over the run is becoming palpable in Denver.