Links: Rockies News 8/29

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Can’t really call them morning links, after all, but check out what’s been happening with the Colorado Rockies and around the rest of the National League West:

From Ian McCue: Chacin flirts with no-no as Rockies top Giants (MLB.com)

"Tuesday night, Chacin fell ill with a 100.6-degree fever, failing to even stay awake for all of Tuesday’s game as he fought off a throbbing headache and other nasty symptoms. He told the coaching staff if he didn’t feel better the next morning, he wouldn’t be able to start.But Chacin was more than just alright Wednesday night, taking a no-hitter through 6 2/3 innings, the longest bid by a Rockies pitcher at Coors Field in franchise history. (The next closest was John Thomson, who threw 6 1/3 hitless innings on May 2, 2002). Though the bullpen had to weather a Giants rally in the eighth, Chacin’s brilliant start was enough for a 5-4 win.”"

From Mark Townsend: Jhoulys Chacin flirts with no-hitter, pays tribute to grandmother who died two weeks ago (Yahoo!)

"Eleven days after his grandmother, Maria Alvarez, died in Venezuela, the 25-year-old right-hander was making his first start at his home ballpark. He actually pitched the day after her death on Aug. 18, taking the loss to theBaltimore Orioles, before going on bereavement leave. He also made a quality start in Miami last Friday night, earning his 12th victory of the season. But there seemed to be a little extra inspiration and meaning behind his start on Wednesday night.Perhaps it had something to do with pitching in the familiar surroundings of his home stadium. Or perhaps it with the special message Chacin had written on his glove.”"

From Grant Bisbee: Saying goodbye to the poor man’s Mariano Rivera (Baseball Nation)

"I’ll miss Rafael Betancourt.Betancourt tore his UCL this week, and his career is most certainly in jeopardy. Based on that description up there, though, you were probably thinking of Mariano Rivera. But I’m over that guy, mostly because this is what I see when I close my eyes at night. No thanks.No, Betancourt is the one-approach reliever for the people who don’t like to go for the obvious choice. The people who look for things ‘a little under the radar.'”"

From Andrew Baggarly: Giants poised to skip Barry Zito’s start in Arizona (CSN Bay Area)

"The club is 0-10 and Zito has a 9.41 ERA in his 10 starts away from AT&T Park this season. He hasn’t won a game anywhere since May 30, and over his last six starts, he’s allowed 27 runs in just 23 2/3 innings.Bochy said he would make the decision public after Wednesday’s game, after he told Petit and Zito what would happen.”"