DENVER – Jon Gray’s right arm looked dominant again on a night when Trevor Story’s appeared healed.
Both were throwing strikes – one from the mound after a few bad outings, the other from shortstop after being sidelined for a week with a sore elbow.
Gray pitched seven crisp innings and Story picked up in All-Star form right where he left off by hitting two doubles as the Colorado Rockies rolled to a 10-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday.
Colorado won its fourth straight game since being swept in Los Angeles by the NL West-leading Dodgers, who remained 1 1-2 game ahead of the Rockies in the division. The defending NL champions won 7-4 at Arizona.
Colorado did gain ground on St. Louis, pulling within a half-game for the second wild card when the Cardinals lost to the Brewers.
“We don’t think too much, only play baseball like we can play and see what happens,’’ outfielder Gerardo Parra said. “We believe. We’re strong. We’re together.’’
Gray (12-8) was moved up a day when scheduled starter Tyler Anderson was scratched due to shoulder tightness. Gray worked his way out of a bases-loaded jam in the first and only picked up steam from there. His fastball topped out at 97 mph for the first time in several starts.
The right-hander’s one costly mistake was an elevated fastball that Rhys Hoskins hit for a homer in the seventh when the game was out of reach. Gray ended his night by striking out Scott Kingery to finish the inning and left to a round of applause.
“I felt like it was more of myself tonight,’’ Gray said. “It was more aggressive and attacking the zone. That’s where I need to be.’’
The Rockies cranked up the offense to open a four-game series against a Phillies team that has been eliminated from postseason contention.