Jon Gray keeps Giants at bay, continues impressive early campaign
May 6, 2021, 6:57 AM
While the 2021 season is likely Jon Gray’s final one in a Rockies uniform, the burly red-headed hurler isn’t in a hurry to leave Coors Field.
“I just feel comfortable here,” Gray said after Wednesday’s 6-5 win. “It’s home for me, and I know I can out-pitch the other guy.”
He did, earning his fourth win in the process and remaining unbeaten at home; no small feat given that he’s on the worst team in the National League. Gray moved to 4-2 by allowing only two runs on four hits while striking out eight in six innings, keeping his ERA at a tidy 3.12.
Since Gray is a free agent after the season — and since pitchers not named Jorge de la Rosa don’t usually sign new contracts to pitch in Denver — it’s likely that the Rockies will trade Gray at some point during this painful season. Given his performance in the early going this season, Gray is essentially pulling double-duty for the Rockies by making them better on the field… and potentially netting them a better return if and when he eventually departs.
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NEXT UP: Rockies (12-19, 5th in NL West) at Cardinals (18-13, 1st in NL Central) | Friday, May 7 at 6:15 p.m. | COL: Austin Gomber (2-3, 5.90 ERA) vs. STL: Jack Flaherty (5-0, 3.41 ERA).
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NOTES
• Jon Gray is 4-0 with a 2.17 ERA at home this season. Gray, now 4-2 on the season, has a .667 winning percentage on a Rockies team that has a .387 one. He’s earned the win in a full third of the Rockies’ total of 12.
• The Rockies won their third series of the season on Wednesday, all of which have been at home (Arizona, Apr. 6-8, Houston, Apr. 20-21, and San Francisco, May 4-5).
• Colorado drew as many walks (six) as they had hits on Wednesday. “We’ve seen that the last couple days overall; better at-bats, taking the walk and increasing our team on-base percentage,” manager Bud Black said. There’s still work to do on that front; the Rockies’ 87 walks on the season places them 23rd in all of baseball.
• The Rockies square off against former teammate Nolan Arenado and the NL Central leading Cardinals for a weekend series that starts Friday. The Rockies’ most significant addition in that trade — pitcher Austin Gomber — will start the opener.
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THE FINAL WORD
“Any time you can score like that, and score in bunches, it usually means a lot of guys are getting hits or having good at-bats. That definitely leads to some more confidence, and hopefully, some more runs.” — Ryan McMahon, on the Rockies’ two straight games with a six-run inning.
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STARTING LINEUP
LF Raimel Tapia
CF Garrett Hampson
SS Trevor Story
3B Ryan McMahon
RF Charlie Blackmon
1B Matt Adams
C Dom Nunez
2B Alan Trejo
SP Jon Gray
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INJURY WATCH
• Carlos Estevez (strained right middle finger) was placed on the 10-day IL on May 3, retroactive to April 30.
• Antonio Senzatela (strained right groin) was placed on the 10-day IL on May 1. He is expected to miss only one or two starts.
• Yency Almonte (bruised right hand) was placed on the 10-day IL on Apr. 29.
• Kyle Freeland (strained left shoulder) was placed on the 10-day IL on Apr. 1. He has been throwing bullpen sessions and is expected back in early May.
• Brendan Rodgers (strained right hamstring) was placed on the 10-day IL on Apr. 1. He has been practicing and could potentially return in early May.
• Chris Owings (left thumb surgery) was placed on the 60-day IL in mid-April and will likely be out until the All-Star break.
• Scott Oberg (blood clots) had surgery prior to the end of Spring Training. He was placed on the 60-day IL on Mar. 27 and his season is in doubt.
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Shawn Drotar is the host of “The Fan Late Night with Shawn Drotar;” weeknights from 10:00 p.m. to midnight — only on 104.3 The Fan. Follow him on Twitter at @sdrotar.
