Rockies snap 7-game losing skid with 3-2 win over D-backs

PHOENIX (AP) — Ryan Castellani sat in just about every part of Chase Field while he grew up going to Diamondbacks games as a fan.

He found his favorite spot in the stadium on Monday night: Right on top of the pitcher's mound.

Castellani threw six strong innings for his first career win, Trevor Story hit his ninth homer of the season and the Colorado Rockies snapped a seven-game losing streak by beating Arizona 3-2.

“You can't make this stuff up,” Castellani said of returning to Phoenix. “It was an emotional night. It was a lot of fun and I'm glad it worked out. The bullpen made it happen in the end.”

Colorado leadoff hitter Raimel Tapia had three hits and knocked in the go-ahead run with his single in the fifth. He also made a crucial catch against the outfield wall on Kole Calhoun's long fly ball that ended the seventh and likely saved two runs.

The Diamondbacks have lost six straight and are in last place in the NL West.

Story crushed a solo homer in the first inning that landed well beyond the left-center field wall and gave the Rockies a 1-0 lead.

The 24-year-old Castellani (1-1), who went to high school in Phoenix, gave up three hits over six innings, including two solo homers. He retired seven of the last eight batters he faced and bounced back from a rough outing on Wednesday, when he gave up five runs in a loss against Houston.

“He really knows his strengths,” Rockies catcher Tony Wolters said. “I think he knows how to pitch, how to read hitters and he's keeping the game simple.”

Daniel Bard continued his impressive comeback story by pitching a scoreless ninth for his second save. The 35-year-old is back in the big leagues for the first time since 2013 and was a mental skills coach for the Diamondbacks coach the past two seasons.

Arizona...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Rockies-snap-7-game-losing-skid-with-3-2-win-over-15512137.php