Arizona @ Colorado preview
Coors Field
Last Meeting ( Sep 23, 2012 ) Arizona 10, Colorado 7
The Arizona Diamondbacks try to complete a sweep and stay alive for a postseason berth Monday, when they take on the struggling Colorado Rockies in the finale of their four-game series at Coors Field. Aaron Hill hit a tiebreaking three-run homer and Wil Nieves collected four hits and an RBI as Arizona posted a 10-7 triumph on Sunday to remain 4 1/2 games behind St. Louis for the second wild-card spot in the National League with 10 contests remaining. Winners of seven of their last eight, the Diamondbacks have recorded 33 runs and 48 hits over the first three games of the series.
The loss was the season-high ninth in a row for Colorado, which has dropped 16 of its last 18. The Rockies, who have not been swept of a four-game home series by the Diamondbacks since April 2002, must win five of their final 10 games to avoid the first 100-loss season in franchise history. Despite the losing streak, Colorado rookie Wilin Rosario has been on fire, recording three hits in each of his last four games.
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, FSN (Arizona), Root Sports (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Trevor Cahill (12-11, 3.89 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Tyler Chatwood (4-5, 5.73)
After going 0-2 in six starts last month, Cahill posted his third straight win in September on Wednesday as he allowed two runs and five hits over six innings against San Diego. The 24-year-old is 6-4 on the road this season but has gone 2-0 over his last five outings away from home. Cahill fell to 1-2 lifetime against Colorado on July 25, when he yielded four runs and eight hits in 6 2/3 frames.
Chatwood will be making his first start at home since Aug. 28 after four straight road outings during which he went 0-2. The 22-year-old took the loss at San Francisco on Wednesday after surrendering three runs and eight hits in four innings. Chatwood made his only career appearance against Arizona on April 14, when he picked up the win despite allowing a run in two innings of relief.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cahill joined CC Sabathia as the only pitchers since 1990 to record at least 10 wins and 30 starts in each of his first four major-league seasons.
2. Hill has collected eight RBIs through the first three games of the series.
3. Colorado has not lost 10 straight since 2005. Its next defeat will be its 95th, tying the franchise high set in its inaugural 1993 season and matched in 2005.