Díaz, Rockies rally off Graveman in 9th, stun White Sox 6-5
DENVER - Elias Díaz hit a two-run single off Kendall Graveman in the ninth inning, and the Colorado Rockies overcame the loss of starting pitcher Antonio Senzatela to beat the Chicago White Sox 6-5 on Wednesday.
Senzatela, making his second start since returning from a shoulder injury, led 3-2 in the seventh when Leury García hit a comebacker off the pitcher’s left foot that rolled away for a single. The 27-year-old right-hander threw some warmup pitches before walking off the mound.
Lucas Gilbreath allowed Tim Anderson’s RBI single and A.J. Pollock’s two-run single as the White Sox went ahead 5-3.
José Iglesias, who drove in a pair of runs, had an RBI single in the bottom half off José Ruiz.
Kendall Graveman (3-2) blew a save for the fifth time in 10 chances, walking Brendan Rodgers, Iglesias and Ryan McMahon on 16 pitches, then giving up Díaz’s hit on a first-pitch sinker. Iglesias slid home as right fielder Andrew Vaughn’s throw skipped to the backstop.
Robert Stephenson (2-1) pitched a perfect ninth as Colorado won for the second time in seven games.
Chicago (49-49) had been trying to move two games over .500 for the first time since April, when the White Sox opened 6-2 and then lost eight in a row. White Sox pitchers walked nine in Chicago’s 16th loss this season after leading.
Charlie Blackmon hit his 39th leadoff homer, his third thiss season, and C.J. Cron drove in his 71st run for the Rockies, who built a 3-0 first-inning lead.
Yasmani Grandal had a two-run single in the fourth for the White Sox, who played their second of 19 straight games against teams with losing records.
Lucas Giolito allowed three runs, six hits and four walks, needing 104 pitches to get through five innings.
TRAINER’S ROOM
White Sox: RHP Joe Kelly left with a right biceps discomfort with two outs in the eighth. ... Manager Tony La Russa said RHP Reynaldo López, who hasn’t pitched since Saturday, has a sore lower back. ... INF Jake Burger (right hand) started a rehab assignment with Triple-A Charlotte.
Rockies: OF Kris Bryant doubled while being the DH for the second straight day as he deals with plantar fasciitis in his left foot. "It’s a bear, but it affects everybody differently with how you handle the soreness," manager Bud Black said. ... OF Connor Joe (general soreness) was out but could return Thursday, Black said.
BLUNDER
Yoán Moncada walked with two outs in the fifth, loading the bases for Pollock in the fifth. But before Moncada could get to first, García was picked off third base by Díaz, the catcher.
UP NEXT
White Sox: RHP Lance Lynn (1-3, 6.43 ERA) starts Friday night against Oakland RHP James Kaprielian (1-5, 4.74) to kick off a six-game homestand.
Rockies: RHP José Ureña (1-2, 3.13) starts Thursday night at Coors Field against Los Angeles Dodgers LHP Tyler Anderson (10-1, 2.79) to open a four-game series.