Cincinnati, OH – Bronson Arroyo threw eight shutout innings and the Cincinnati Reds blanked the Colorado Rockies, 3-0, in the opener of a three-game series at Great American Ball Park.
Arroyo (6-5) allowed just four hits, two of them from Carlos Gonzalez, and needed just 86 pitches. He also had three strikeouts, pulling him within three of tying Gary Nolan for eighth-most in franchise history.
"I didn't particularly have amazing stuff, but it was one of those games where things just worked out," Arroyo said.
Aroldis Chapman threw a scoreless ninth to notch his 15th save.
Jay Bruce went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer and two runs scored, while Todd Frazier contributed an RBI to give the Reds their sixth straight win against the Rockies for the first time since 2000-01.
Colorado pitcher Tyler Chatwood (3-1) allowed one run on four hits and a walk in four innings before leaving the game with right triceps soreness. In the top of the fifth inning, he pulled up before reaching first base while trying for a bunt single.
"It's frustrating having to come out of the game like that and kind of leave the bullpen hanging like that, but it was precautionary," Chatwood said.
Rob Scahill pitched three scoreless innings of relief, but the Rockies' lack of run support did not help.
The Reds' first score came in the fourth. With two outs, Bruce singled and stole second base. Frazier then smacked a single to left for a 1-0 lead.
In the eighth, Zack Cozart singled to center with one out and reached second on an error by the Rockies' Dexter Fowler, setting up Bruce's two-run shot.
Cincinnati had an opportunity to increase their lead even further when they loaded the bases with two outs in the inning. However, Cesar Izturis -- filling in for the injured Brandon Phillips -- grounded out to shortstop to end the frame.
Meanwhile, the Rockies' final hit came in the seventh, when Michael Cuddyer delivered a one-out single. Arroyo retired the final five batters he faced before being replaced by Chapman, who allowed a two-out walk to Troy Tulowitzki but struck out Cuddyer to end the game.
Game Notes
Since he was acquired from the Red Sox prior to the 2006 season, Arroyo's 97 wins and 1569 1/3 innings pitched are the most in the National League, while his 245 starts are the most in the majors... Chapman has 46 strikeouts in 26 innings this season ... The Reds have an 82-81 edge all-time against the Rockies.
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