The Rockies sure didn’t give Nick Pivetta a warm welcome for his debut at Coors Field. The home team jumped on the rookie early and often to put the game away. Pivetta started the game with a walk, HBP, and a single, in which Gerardo Parra delivered with a two-run single. It took the right-hander 29 pitches before he retired a batter in the first. Three more runs crossed the plate in the first and Pivetta was finally chased in the third after an 8-0 deficit, when he allowed a two-run home run to Pat Valaika. The rookie gave up seven hits and eight runs (six earned) in 2.2 innings. Mark Leiter Jr pitched masterfully in relief, striking out nine batters over 4.1 innings.
The Phillies couldn’t solve Rockies’ starter Jon Gray, who tossed seven innings of one-run ball. Coming into the game, Gray was 1-2 with a 7.65 ERA since the all-star break. Daniel Nava was the only source of offense for the Phils, posting three hits including a three-run home run in the eighth inning. Catching prospect Jorge Alfaro, recalled today to fill in for an injured Andrew Knapp, went 2-for-4.
