Tyler Chatwood helped his own cause by hitting a two-run double in the second inning as Colorado rolled past Milwaukee 8-3.
Tyler Chatwood helped his own cause by hitting a two-run double in the second inning as Colorado rolled past Milwaukee 8-3.Chris Schneider/Associated Press

DENVER – Tyler Chatwood pitched seven strong innings and hit a two-run double to help the Rockies break out offensively, leading Colorado to an 8-3 victory over Milwaukee on Friday.

Todd Helton and Nolan Arenado each had two hits and an RBI for the Rockies, who had scored an NL-low 58 runs s in July.

Chatwood (7-3) allowed two runs on six hits and struck out the side in the first inning, finishing with a career-high 11 strikeouts. He has been especially effective at Coors Field, going 4-1 with a 3.47 ERA in eight home starts this season.

The Rockies’ bats came alive against one of the Brewers’ top pitchers in recent weeks, Wily Peralta, who entered 3-1 with an 0.87 ERA in his last six starts.

Peralta (7-10) allowed eight runs – five earned – and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings as the Rockies batted around during four-run innings in the second and fourth. He walked three and struck out two.

The Rockies loaded the bases in the second when Helton singled around walks to Michael Cuddyer and Wilin Rosario. Arenado followed with an RBI single, and Chatwood then lined a double down the third base line. Arenado put the Rockies up 4-0 when he scored on a fielder’s choice by D.J. LeMahieu.

LeMahieu, Troy Tulowitzki, Cuddyer, and Helton each had run-scoring hits in the fourth. An error by third baseman Yuniesky Betancourt when he failed to complete a force play by missing the bag opened the door to the final three runs of the inning.

Carlos Gomez homered off reliever Manuel Corpas in the ninth for the Brewers’ final run. The homer was the 17th of the season for Gomez and the 100th overall by the Brewers.