Anderson finishes '15 campaign on a high note

PHOENIX -- In a season that will end without a postseason appearance, the D-backs seek other positives to go out with as the season winds down.

Chase Anderson got his Wednesday night.

Anderson battled through an "off" night and still held the Rockies to one run on four hits in 5 1/3 innings, before the offense came through in a 3-1 victory over the Rockies at Chase Field.

After a two-week break in the middle of the month because of ineffectiveness, Anderson closed the season with two strong starts, similar to the way he began 2015.

Utilizing a cutter he integrated into his arsenal during the hiatus, Anderson limited the Dodgers to one run and one hit in six innings on Sept. 23, and he fared about as well against a dangerous Rockies lineup.

"I wanted to finish strong," Anderson said. "Last outing was good, and this was just a battle, but we won the game. I feel good about where I'm at right now, and it's a lasting impression.

"Mixing up pitches was probably the key, because my command was kind of off and didn't feel my best. You see who you really are out there as a pitcher. Everybody, when you have your good stuff you can do well. So when you don't have your best stuff and can still get through five innings, six innings, it just tells you, you can do this for a while."

In addition to implementing a cutter -- which Anderson said he wants to command better heading into next season -- the right-hander said he started to attack hitters more these past two starts, similar to his approach early in the season when he posted a 2.84 ERA through 13 starts.

He said he started to nibble in the middle of the season and was hit hard as a result, which eventually led to a stint on the disabled list and ineffectiveness upon his return.

But Anderson ended the year, his first full season in the big leagues, on a high note.

"He threw the ball well," manager Chip Hale said. "He finished strong. It was good to see."