Mickey Moniak’s 3-run homer helps MLB-worst Rockies avoid sweep with 4-2 win over D-backs

DENVER (AP) – Mickey Moniak hit a three-run homer to cap a four-run fifth inning, Antonio Senzatala won his second straight start, and the major league-worst Colorado Rockies snapped a three-game skid with a 4-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday.

The Rockies (18-60) avoided the worst record through 78 games in the modern era. The 1907 St. Louis Cardinals and 1932 Detroit Tigers also went 18-60.

Moniak hit a first-pitch changeup from Brandon Pfaadt (8-5) 385 feet down the right-field line to make it 4-2. It was his second homer of the three-game series and 11th of the season.

Senzatela (3-10) gave up two runs and four hits in 5 1/3 innings. He had won once in 14 starts before beating Washington on Tuesday.

Randal Grichuk had two hits and two RBIs for the D-backs, who were attempting to move three games over .500 for the first time since May 20.

Arizona’s Eugenio Suárez doubled to extend his extra-base hit streak to four games. He is 10 for 18 with four homers, two doubles and nine RBIs over that stretch.

Seth Halvorsen retired Ketel Marte on a fly ball with a runner on second in the ninth for his sixth save, and the Rockies’ Tyler Freeman extended his hitting streak to a career-best 10 games.

Pfaadt has given up 22 earned runs in his last 18 innings.

Moniak appeared to be sitting on Pfaadt’s changeup, one of nine he threw to left-handed hitters.

The Rockies’ bullpen gave up one hit in 3 2/3 scoreless innings

Diamondbacks: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (2-4, 5.93 ERA) is to oppose White Sox RHP Shane Smith (3-4, 2.85) in the first of a three-game series at Chicago.

Rockies: RHP German Marquez (3-8, 6.11) will start Tuesday’s opener of a three-game series against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers.