The Colorado Rockies aren't the only team celebrating their 4-0 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night. The Pittsburgh Pirates are in first place in the NL Central, one loss up on the St. Louis Cardinals (who lost on a walk-off home run on Friday night to the Reds). The Rockies, meanwhile, are still staring at an eight-game deficit in the NL West.
But right now the Rockies should look at what they've gotten in the first two games of the second half of the season. In particular, rookie Juan Nicasio (4-2, 4.24 ERA) was lights-out on Friday night, shutting out the Brewers for seven innings on four hits and no walks. Nicasio faced 23 batters, two over the minimum thanks as a result of two double plays. Matt Lindstrom and Huston Street shut the door over the final two innings, the latter striking out two.
The Rockies got to Chris Narveson in three of the six innings he pitched. Recently-recalled Dexter Fowler doubled to start the bottom of the first, moved to third on a Mark Ellis ground out and scored on a Narveson wild pitch. Todd Helton singled in Mark Ellis in the third and seventh innings, the latter run scoring on Takashi Saito. Troy Tulowitzki doubled in Dexter Fowler for his 59th RBI of the season.
The Rockies (45-48, 24-22 home) and the Brewers plat on Saturday at 6:10 p.m. MT. Zack Greinke and Jhoulys Chacon are the scheduled starters.
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