Chatwood blanks Giants and Prospects Pitching

Tyler Chatwood befuddles Giants

Did Tyler Chatwood throw five scoreless innings?

He did.

It wasn't at Coors Field but it was in San Francisco, a place the Rockies have notoriously struggled. A Rockies' pitcher actually out-pitched a Giants' starter. It wasn't Matt Cain or Madison Bumgarner, who are nasty to Colorado batters, continuously, but it was Tim Lincecum, even if a lesser version of quality of the two-time winner of the Cy Young Award.

Chatwood threw just under 55 percent of his pitches for strikes and walked two but blanking the Giants was impressive. From the majors to Triple-A to Double-A went his tumble this season but it was there, in Tulsa, that he improved and regained confidence and built his game to the point where he could do what he did Friday on the Bay.

Rockies' Prospects Spotlight

Will Harris

Reliever Will Harris has been in the system seemingly forever but maybe his time is near for a callup to the majors.

He lowered his ERA to 1.02 at Triple-A on Friday.

He has a 20/1 K/BB rate in 17 2/3 innings, with but nine hits and no homers allowed. This after posting a 2.62 ERA in 34 1/3 innings at Double-A earlier this season.

Harris, a ninth-round pick out of LSU in the 2006 draft, turns 28 later this month.

Double-A pitcher Joe Gardner has had a disappointing season (4.55 ERA) but has been pitching strong as of late. He's started the last two times out and has a 3.27 ERA, with eight strikeouts and no walks in 11 innings.

Over his last five appearances, his ERA is even better - 2.08.

Tyler Anderson

Tyler Anderson allowed one run over six innings to lower his ERA to 2.47 at Low-A Asheville in winning his tenth game in twelve decisions.

The 2011 first-round pick is having a terrific pro debut, with batters hitting just .228 against him, with four homers in 102 innings.

In nine starts since the All-Star break his ERA is eye-popping - 1.86.