Colorado Rockies: Sunday Win Finalizes Arizona Sweep

Nolan Arenado and Gerardo Parra hit home runs and Chad Bettis pitched six solid innings as the Colorado Rockies posted a 6-3 decision over the Arizona Diamondbacks, finishing off a three-game sweep in Arizona for the first time since July of 2004.

Arenado blasted his 11^th homer of the season in the seventh inning, a two-run shot off Arizona reliever Randall Delgado, that gave the Rockies a 6-3 lead. The blast deep over the left field fence was huge not only in terms of the score but also with momentum as the Diamondbacks had just scored twice in the bottom of the sixth to pull within a run.

Colorado’s All-Star third baseman not only shined at the plate in the later innings against the Diamondbacks but also in the field, pulling off two amazing stops that thwarted any chance of an Arizona rally.

Also thwarting Arizona’s attempts at a late-inning comeback were the combined efforts of Boone Logan and Carlos Estevez out of the Colorado bullpen. With the bases loaded and one out in the seventh, Logan struck out David Peralta and Estevez followed by whiffing Yasmany Tomas to end the frame and the Arizona threat.

More from Colorado Rockies News

• A Colorado Rockies Thanksgiving
• Colorado Rockies: Charlie Blackmon out for the season
• Colorado Rockies: Injuries shift look of roster ahead of Dodgers series
• Colorado Rockies: 3 things we appreciated from Tuesday in San Francisco
• What Bill Schmidt’s comments mean for the Colorado Rockies in 2023

Chad Qualls would pitch a perfect eighth and Jake McGee picked up his sixth save (and twice in as many games) by working his way out of a jam in the ninth. McGee finished off the game by striking out Welington Castillo with runners on first and second.

Bettis allowed a first-inning home run to Arizona’s Brandon Drury, but wouldn’t allow another run until the sixth. In all, Bettis scattered nine hits and didn’t walk anyone on his way to improving to 3-1 on the season.

The strong outing by Bettis gave the Colorado Rockies its third consecutive solid performance by a starter in the desert. His three runs surrendered on Sunday were the only combined runs given up by starters Bettis, Chris Rusin, and Tyler Chatwood in the three-game set. Colorado’s three starters surrendered just three runs in 17.1 innings of work in Phoenix, a welcome sight after being knocked around by Pittsburgh and Los Angeles in back-to-back series at Coors Field.

Next: Rockies: Looking Back at April's Achievements

With the win, Colorado improves to 12-12 on the season. It continues its 10-game road trip through the National League West with a visit to San Diego on Monday night to open a three-game series against the Padres.