DENVER -- On most days, six innings of two-run ball at Coors Field puts a pitcher in position to win. But the Angels came up against a Rockies rotation on a roll on Tuesday, and Jon Gray's seven innings of shutout ball proved too much to overcome as the Rockies recorded their franchise-record ninth consecutive quality start, dealing the Halos a 4-2 loss in the series opener.
The Angels could only get past second base twice against Gray. They loaded the bases with two out in the first frame before Zack Cozart became Gray's first strikeout victim to end the inning, then went five innings with just one base hit before a leadoff single from Andrelton Simmons in the seventh ended up with him stranded on third.