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GJ Rockies' Playoff Push Continues With A Big Sunday Win

by Claire Brandon

Story Created: Sep 2, 2012 at 11:03 PM MDT

Story Updated: Sep 2, 2012 at 11:03 PM MDT

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo.--The Grand Junction Rockies' pitching staff held the Idaho Falls Chukars to three hits en route to a 4-0 win Sunday at Suplizio Field.

Starting pitcher Ryan Warner pitched four shutout innings, allowing one hit, walking none and striking out five.

"I felt really good out there," Warner said. "The team has a lot of energy right now going into these last few games. We really want to push for playoffs."

On the other side, Sam Selman, the Pioneer League Pitcher of the Year, was solid on the mound for the Chukars. The Rockies scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Rockies' catcher Chris Cowell made it a 4-0 ballgame with a 2-run homer in the bottom of the seventh.

"That first guy kind of mowed us down," Cowell said of Selman. "Carl [Thomore] had a big double right before, and I just wanted to keep the momentum going. The ball went out and got us going the rest of the game. The Bullpen kind of closed it out, so it was a good way for us to get the win tonight."

With the win, the Rockies improve to 19-15 in the second half and remain in second place in the Pioneer League South. They're two games ahead of Orem, who was swept by Ogden in Sunday's doubleheader, with four games left in the regular season.

If Ogden beats Orem on Monday, the Rockies automatically clinch a spot in the post-season. It would be the franchise's first playoff appearance since 2001.

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