Colorado Rockies: Carlos Gonzalez embracing different role with team

In Tuesday night’s dramatic win over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field, Carlos Gonzalez boosted the Colorado Rockies on both offense and defense.

Gonzalez registered his fifth career home run off Zack Greinke in the fourth inning then made a highlight-reel-worthy diving catch in the top of the fifth inning to rob David Peralta of a hit as Colorado won its sixth consecutive game with a 4-3 decision.

The homer was part of a 2-for-4 night for Gonzalez that raised his average on the season to .224. It’s hardly the numbers that Rockies fans are used to seeing from CarGo, but the 31-year-old is playing just as important a role in the clubhouse as he is on the diamond.

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Now the veteran surrounded by a group of younger core players like Nolan Arenado, Charlie Blackmon, DJ LeMahieu and Trevor Story, CarGo knows that he’s now in a different role than he has been in in years past.

"“I took these guys under my wing when they were coming up,” Gonzalez smiled. “I’ve been a great player my entire career. They’re always trying to push me and trying to keep my head up. That’s what it’s all about. When they were struggling, I was always there. They’re doing their part now. They’re taking care of me.”"

CarGo still remembers the last time that Rocktober took over Denver. In 2009, he hit .588 in the divisional series against the Philadelphia Phillies. It may seem like an eternity ago to Colorado fans, but the experience that Gonzalez gained in that series could well pay off if Colorado’s next generation of stars get their first taste of the postseason this October.

Arenado, who is white-hot at the plate right now with two game-winning hits in as many outings, firmly believes the Rockies can be an even better team when Gonzalez rediscovers his rhythm at the plate and shakes his season-long slump.

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"“We’re just waiting for him to get going,” Arenado said. “We have a chance to be one of the best team in the Majors. We are right now, but we have a chance to take it to another level when CarGo gets going. Everyone in the league knows CarGo and they know how hot he can get. We need him. If he does, our lineup is going to be changing for sure.”"