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Colorado Rockies: 3 Things to Know on an Off Day

By Kevin Henry

Jun 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu (9) celebrates with right fielder Gerardo Parra (8) after hitting a two run home run in the fourth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 9, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu (9) celebrates with right fielder Gerardo Parra (8) after hitting a two run home run in the fourth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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When the Colorado Rockies downed the San Diego Padres 2-1 on Sunday afternoon, it was an important victory on a number of fronts.

First, it moved the Rockies ever closer to the .500 mark. Now at 30-33 and sitting 7.5 games out of the top spot in the National League West, Colorado has won four of their last five games and six of their last 10.

Second, the victory secured Colorado’s second series win against NL West competition in as many tries. Prior to taking two of three from the Los Angeles Dodgers in Chavez Ravine last week, Colorado hadn’t won a series since sweeping the New York Mets in mid-May.

Third, it showed that the Rockies have great potential when the pitching is good. The San Diego series was a microcosm of the entire season. When Colorado’s starters have quality outings, the Rockies have an excellent chance of winning. When the bullpen has to be used early in the game, the Rockies struggle.

So what are some other things about the Rockies that jump out on an off day? Here are three to ponder.

Colorado has some young arms who can make an immediate impact

After battling through an elbow injury that sidelined him for the entire 2015 season and an oblique injury that occurred in spring training that derailed him prior to Sunday, Tyler Anderson’s MLB debut was well worth the wait.

Anderson pitched 6.1 innings on Sunday, allowing one run on six hits with no walks and six strikeouts. He became the seventh Colorado Rockies pitcher to log a quality start in his Major League Debut at Coors Field and the first since Tyler Matzek turned the trick on June 11, 2014 against the Atlanta Braves. He’s also the third Rockie to record six or more strikeouts in their Major League Debut at Coors Field (joining Matzek and Shawn Chacon on April 29, 2001 against the Cincinnati Reds).

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Anderson and Jon Gray are showing that the youth infusion into Colorado’s rotation is making a difference. With Jeff Hoffman lurking in the wings at Triple-A, Colorado’s future on the mound looks young and promising.

Speaking of arms…

In June, batters are hitting just .226 against Rockies pitching. That ranks Colorado ninth in MLB in that category.

Additionally, Colorado pitchers have a 1.13 WHIP in June, tying them for sixth in the league.

DJ continues to spin a quiet, successful season

With a lineup that contains Nolan Arenado and Carlos Gonzalez, plus Trevor Story making an early-season splash, it’s easy for DJ LeMahieu to get overlooked. That seems to be OK with him. He’ll just keep going out and doing his job.

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On Sunday, LeMahieu went 2-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to seven games. With a pair of doubles, the All-Star second baseman has now reached base safely in nine of his last 10 games and is batting .297 (11-for-37) with seven runs, four doubles, one triple, one home run and three RBI over that span.

In his last seven games, LeMahieu has a .423 average.

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