Colorado Rockies history: Jon Gray strikes out 16 San Diego Padres

Over the past few months, we have done a tournament of the 32 best moments in Colorado Rockies franchise history. Today, we continue the tournament by recalling an event from recent Rockies history. It only took place a little more than a season ago.

On Saturday, September 17, 2016, the Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres faced each other on a warm night, 77 degrees to be exact. Both teams were well out of the playoff race as the Rockies were eight games back of the second Wild Card spot and the Padres were even further behind as they were 16 games back of the second Wild Card spot and they entered the night tied for the second worst record in the National League.

However, there was some action that night as the Rockies offense was alive and well but, more importantly, Rockies aces Jon Gray was on his A game. He would strike out 16 Padres on this night. Here is the starting lineup that he faced that night.

San Diego Padres (62-85, tied for last place in the NL West)

1. Travis Jankowski, CF
2. Luis Sardinas, SS
3. Wil Myers, 1B
4. Ryan Schimpf, 3B
5. Jon Jay, LF
6. Oswaldo Arcia, RF
7. Derek Norris, C
8. Future Rockie Alexi Amarista, 2B
9. Edwin Jackson, SP

The Rockies starting lineup would look like this

1. Charlie Blackmon, CF
2. DJ LeMahieu, 2B
3. Carlos Gonzalez, RF
4. Nolan Arenado, 3B
5. David Dahl, LF
6. Tom Murphy, C
7. Gerardo Parra, 1B
8. Daniel Descalso,  SS
9. Jon Gray, SP

Here is how the game unfolded.