Rockies strike early in win over Blue Jays

The Colorado Rockies offence has carried the team the last week. Jon Gray showed pitching can win games, too.

Gray allowed two hits in 6 2/3 innings and didn't allow a run for the second time this season. He pitched six scoreless innings in a win over Philadelphia on April 21. He said Saturday was his best start of the season.

"I felt like I was in control from start to finish tonight," he said.

David Dahl had three hits as the Rockies won their seventh straight and improve to 8-1 on their homestand. Scott Oberg got the final out for his second save.

WATCH | Rockies keep rolling over Blue Jays:

Game Wrap: Rockies double up Blue Jays for 7th straight win

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2 years ago

1:45

The Colorado Rockies bounced the Toronto Blue Jays 4-2 on Saturday for their 7th consecutive victory. 1:45

Gray's scoreless outing overshadowed a strong start by Toronto's Marcus Stroman (3-7). The right-hander settled down after a rough first, giving up four runs, three earned, in seven innings.

Stroman keeps Rockies in check

Stroman was able to keep an offence in check that had 18 hits in Friday's win over Toronto.

"I pitched seven innings against one of the best lineups in baseball, and I didn't see a single barrelled ball to the outfield all game in seven innings," he said. "All weak contact, all ground balls. Seven hits, six of them were ground balls. That's unbelievably hard to do against that lineup."

Justin Smoak spoiled the Rockies' shutout bid with a solo homer leading off the ninth, and after a throwing error by shortstop Trevor Story, Danny Jansen hit an RBI double with two out to make it 4-2. Oberg got pinch-hitter Rowdy Tellez to ground out to end the game.

Gray (5-4) worked out of trouble in the second and sixth innings before leaving in the seventh. He struck out the first two batters and followed that with two walks when a hot spot middle finger on his pitching hand. Manager Bud Black came out and after a discussion he was pulled.

"It really sucks, but it's part of the game," Gray said. "There's always going to be some kind of adversity."

Jairo Diaz came on in relief and got the final out.

Quiet night for bats

Colorado had a relatively quiet offensive night after getting 35 hits in its previous two games. It looked as if it would be another big night at the plate in the first inning when four straight hits off Stroman.

Arenado followed singles by Story and Dahl with one of his own to drive in the first run, and Murphy made it 3-0 with a two-run double past centre fielder Jonathan Davis.

"Getting that three-run lead early tonight was really nice," Gray said. "I was able to sit back and pitch my game and not have to worry about, 'Hey, if I give up a solo here we're in trouble.' It was nice to be able to pitch like that."

Stroman retired 19 of the last 23 batters he faced, and the only blemish came in the fifth when Colorado tacked on another run.

Raimel Tapia extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a double, and two Toronto errors on the play allowed him to score to make it 4-0.

"Stroman did an outstanding job going seven," Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoya said. "He kept us in the game until the end."