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 In fact, the Colorado Rockies right hander has barely pitched at
all since April 29, 2014, and subsequent Tommy John surgery that
cost him nearly two seasons.
But Chatwood displayed a full recovery in Sunday's third start of
2016 -- a sterling seven-inning performance that included 4 2/3
perfect innings to start -- as he out-dueled Chicago Cubs
left-hander Jon Lester in a 2-0 Rockies victory.
"Chatwood was outstanding," said Colorado manager Walt Weiss. "You
think about the fact that he's been away a long time -- a couple of
years -- and he's pitching very well for us. To have shut down that
lineup, that's quite a feat."
Nolan Arenado supplied both runs -- a fourth-inning solo homer and
another in the ninth -- as Colorado (7-5) claimed its fourth win in
five starts and took two of three from Chicago.
The Rockies right-hander (2-1) gave up two hits, struck out seven
and walked one.
 Chatwood didn't allow any base runners until Jorge Soler drew a walk
with two out in the fifth. The no-hitter went away with the next
batter as Javier Baez lined a single to left.
"It's up there (as a career highlight), but overall it was a good
team win and a good series win," said Chatwood, who was 8-5 with a
3.15 ERA in 2013, his last full season. "I think that was the
biggest focus coming in."
Chatwood was pulled for a pinch hitter in the eighth inning after
throwing 100 pitches, 69 for strikes.
Rockies left hander Jake McGee faced five batters in a scoreless
ninth for his third save in four appearances.
Lester (1-1) departed after 7 1/3 innings after giving up just one
run on four hits, striking out 10 and walking just two.
"I know I threw the ball well, but a loss is a loss," Lester said.
"Sometimes the other guy makes better pitches throughout the game
than you do and he was able to bear down there and makes some
pitches with no outs and a guy on second. He had everything
working."
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The Cubs (9-3) suffered their second loss in three games and dropped
their first series of the season.
Arenado gave Colorado the lead on a first-pitch home run to left off
Lester. His fifth homer of the season landed in the outfield basket,
just above a year-old rectangular video board.
His ninth inning solo homer came off reliever Justin Grimm for his
seventh career multi-homer game.
"We haven't been in games like that where the pitching's tight,"
Arenado said. "Chaty did an unbelievable job. He kept us in the game
and it was fun. It made the game more interesting."
NOTES: Rockies starters Jorge De La Rosa, Chad Bettis and Christian
Bergman have combined to allow just five earned runs in 17 2/3
innings pitched for a 2.55 ERA. ... Sunday's game was played under
sunny skies and temperatures that hit 70 degrees near Chicago's
lakefront. It would have been postponed in Denver where a spring
storm produced heavy snowfall. ... Rockies RHP Jordan Lyles (0-1,
11.25 ERA) goes against Reds RHP Alfredo Simon (0-1, 12.25 ERA) in
Monday's series opener in Cincinnati. ... In a pre-game ceremony,
Cubs 3B Kris Bryant accepted the Players Choice Award as 2015 NL
Outstanding Rookie as voted by NL players. ... Bryant also marked
his one-year anniversary of arriving in Chicago. He went 0-for-4 in
his debut and also went hitless in four at-bats on Sunday, including
a game-ending strike out. ... RHP John Lackey (2-0, 5.68 ERA) goes
against Cardinals RHP Mike Leake (0-1, 6.97 ERA) on Monday as the
Cubs open a three-game series in St. Louis on Monday.
[© 2016 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
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