Week in Review: Rockies Shut Out Dodgers, Senzatela Sensational

Antonio Senzatela was — simply put — sensational against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium in the Rockies 5-0 victory on Sunday.

The seven-innings of shutout work in which he allowed two hits marked the most dominating start of his career. Senzatela allowed only two hits in his seven shutout innings, one of seven scoreless efforts in his 92 big-league starts.

“It was probably the best game of my life,” said Senzatela.

— In taking two of three from the Dodgers, the Rockies won a road series for the second time this year — the third time in fact in their last eight road series. They won three of three games at San Diego July 9-11 and two of three against at San Diego July 29-Aug. 1, and then the past weekend at Dodger Stadium.

— The Rockies are 10-15 in their last 25 road games, during which time they won two of three games at San Diego (July 9-11) and July 29-Aug. 1, and at Dodger Stadium last weekend. That might not seem overpowering, but consider the Rockies opened the season with a 7-33 road record. During that 40-game stretch they lost 12 series and split two games in one series. They were swept six times.

— Daniel Bard did a solid job as the Rockies closer a year ago, and seemed on the same track this season. He, however, has struggled as of late. On July 21, he had a 3.86 ERA, having converted 15 of 20 save opportunities. In the 39 days since, however, he does have five saves, but in 14 games he also allowed 14 earned runs in 11 2/3 innings.

It’ not out of question that Bard may have hit a wall. Consider prior to signing with the Rockies for the 2020 season, which was limited to 60 games, he had been retired for two years and had not pitched in the big leagues since 2013 with he pitched one inning in two games.

— The Rockies went 3-3 last week, losing two of three at Wrigley Field against the Cubs, and winning two of three from the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. This week, they finish up their road trip with a three-game visit to Texas, and then open a seven game homestand Thursday with four games against Atlanta and three against the Giants.

Give that Man a Star

Lefthander Kyle Freeland has been on a roll. Freeland was 4-0 in five starts in the month of August, and the Rockies won all five games he started. Freeland compiled a 3.41 ERA in the month, and he was on the mound for wins at San Francisco (4-1 on Aug. 14) and Los Angeles (4-2 on Friday) .

But then he’s a pitcher — and a good one.

He, however, was off the mound on Wednesday at Wrigley Field when he delivered a pinch-hit single in the 10th inning of the Rockies 13-10 victory aginst the Cubs, scoring on a Brendan Rodgers double, and then found himself playing right field in the bottom of the 10th.

Being lefthanded, Freeland said he had experience in the outfield in high school on days he wasn’t pitching.

The Rockies have the second-best home record in baseball with a .662 winning percentage.

That’s nice.

But they are 24 games back of first-place San Francisco in the NL West, 8 1/2 games behind third-place San Diego. Why? Well, they do have the third-worst road record in MLB (17-48).