Chad Kuhl crouched in a tunnel at Coors Field, sharing the moment with his parents on a FaceTime call as his phone continued to buzz with other congratulatory messages.
The fact that the best start of his career came against the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers made the night even more special.
Kuhl threw three-hit ball for his first major league shutout and the Colorado Rockies beat Los Angeles 4-0 on Monday.
“We all want to win, but it’s been one of those personal goals for me,” Kuhl said. “And not just a full game, but just spending a lot of time in, time out.”
/ fake images
Jose Iglesias hit a two-run homer and the Rockies handed Tyler Anderson (8-1) his first loss in 12 starts and two relief appearances this season. Kris Bryant went 1-for-4 in his return to the lineup after missing more than a month with a lower back injury.
Kuhl (5-5) was ready after giving up 11 runs in 14 1/3 innings in his previous three starts. He struck out five and walked none in the longest outing of his career.
His previous best was 7 1/3 innings against Cincinnati on April 30.
“It was amazing,” Iglesias said. “He and (receiver Elias) Diaz were connected. He shot the ball really well against a good lineup.”
Kuhl allowed just two singles in eight innings, and one was wiped out on a double play. Gavin Lux led off the ninth with a double but was stranded at second.
When center fielder Yonathan Daza caught Freddie Freeman’s drive to end a game that lasted just 2 hours and 19 minutes, Kuhl raised his fist and hugged Diaz.
“Finally it’s time to celebrate the achievement,” he said.
It was the 27th individual shutout in the history of hitter-friendly Coors Field.
“You don’t see that in every game,” Colorado manager Bud Black said. “It doesn’t happen. So, awesome.”
Bryant, who hadn’t played since May 22, finished with a single in four at-bats. He flied out to the warning track in right field his first time at the plate and singled the next time.
The Rockies scored in the first on CJ Cron’s RBI single and added another run in the second on Diaz’s single.
Iglesias doubled the lead with his first home run of the season in the sixth.
Anderson allowed four runs and 10 hits in six innings.
COACHES ROOM
Dodgers: Manager Dave Roberts said OF/INF Zach McKinstry (stiff neck) will probably be out for a while. “I talked to him today and he still didn’t have much range of motion,” Roberts said. “We’ll probably give him another couple of days.” … OF Mookie Betts (right rib fracture) has not yet started baseball activities.
Rockies: Activated LHP Ty Blach from the 15-day DL and placed INF/OF Sean Bouchard on the 10-day DL with an oblique strain.
SECOND CHAIR
Roberts was tapped to coach manager Brian Snitker of the Atlanta Braves in next month’s National League All-Star Game in Los Angeles. Roberts, the National League manager for the past three All-Star Games, is excited about the role.
“There’s no stress. I’m looking forward to it. Even if we don’t win the game, the National League, it’s not on my shoulders,” he said. “I’m 0-3. I think you can basically be a fan. You get to be around the best in the game and see the best performance in the game. So it’s something I don’t take for granted and I’m going to enjoy it as a coach. and as a fan.
FAVORITE CUP
The 38,706 attendees at Coors Field cheered as the big screen flashed footage of Colorado Avalanche players skating with the Stanley Cup on Sunday night in Tampa, Florida.
Colorado beat the Lightning 2-1 in Game 6 to capture the third Stanley Cup title in franchise history and the first since 2001.
UNTIL NEXT TIME
The Dodgers LZ Clayton Kershaw (5-1, 2.00) take on the Rockies LZ Kyle Freeland (3-5, 4.29) on Tuesday night.
Reference-www.cbsnews.com