With the first pitch of the first inning -- of arguably the day that the Rockies began to make the painful last few seasons worthwhile -- Chase Dollander set the tone for what the club hopes is its pitching future.

The Chase Dollander era began Sunday afternoon at Coors Field with the 23-year-old throwing 99 mph fastballs and the Rockies snapping a six-game losing streak with a 12-5 rout of the Athletics.

Chase Dollander got a text from Colorado Rockies legend and fellow Tennessee alumnus Todd Helton on Saturday, confirming that he would extend his stay in Denver just to see him pitch.