MINNEAPOLIS -- The Rockies' bullpen has been dominant on the road, with a 1.72 ERA the 18 times it has been called upon away from Coors Field -- a figure that includes 10 scoreless innings across three games against the Twins at Target Field.
But according to Rockies closer and Major League saves leader Greg Holland, it doesn't matter where they're pitching.
"You can tell more later in the season, but I feel we're doing a good job holding leads in general, whether it's on the road or at home," said Holland, who earned his 18th save by striking out the only batter he faced in the 5-1 victory over the Twins in the first game of a Thursday doubleheader.
In the nightcap, after starter Tyler Chatwood managed to hold the Twins to two runs despite throwing 105 pitches in five innings, relievers Chad Qualls, Scott Oberg and Carlos Estevez gave up no further runs in the 2-0 loss. Estevez, sent to Triple-A Albuquerque earlier this month to hone his delivery and offspeed pitches, was called up as the Rockies' allotted 26th player for the nightcap.
"It just shows the strength of the 'pen," said lefty setup man Mike Dunn, who threw 1 2/3 innings to set up Holland in the first game after solid work from Chris Rusin and Adam Ottavino. "They shut them down and kept us a close game to give us a chance. It's been great. Everyone's been having fun.
"It shows the depth that we have to bring up a guy like Estevez. He'd be in the big leagues for just about every other club."
Dunn laughed and had no response when the Rockies' 22-0 record when leading after the sixth inning was mentioned. Holland said the stats aren't for him.
"You don't even think about how well you're doing," he said. "You think about being prepared -- staying loose, relaxed and picking each other up, helping the starter when he does leave the game with a lead. Keeping your team in the game and holding the lead with runners on are not easy things, but we've done a good job of that."