Colorado Rockies: 3 numbers to know before the San Diego series

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 29: DJ LeMahieu #9 of the Colorado Rockies bats against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the opening day MLB game at Chase Field on March 29, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 29: DJ LeMahieu #9 of the Colorado Rockies bats against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the opening day MLB game at Chase Field on March 29, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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DJ LeMahieu of the Colorado Rockies
PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 29: DJ LeMahieu #9 of the Colorado Rockies bats against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the opening day MLB game at Chase Field on March 29, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Much of the negative focus on the offensive side of things in Arizona fell on Trevor Story, who struck out seven times in 12 at-bats and has started the season just 1-for-12 with a Thursday night single as his only success of the early season.

However, it’s not just Story who is swinging and missing. Colorado batters struck out 34 times in 102 at-bats against the Diamondbacks. Only the Chicago Cubs struck out more than the Rockies through their first three games … but the Cubs also had 32 more plate appearances while striking out seven more times (41 total).

Story’s single is also symbolic of Colorado’s extra-base drought in Arizona. Sure, the Rockies blasted seven home runs to help account for their 12 runs against the Diamondbacks. However, of the 25 hits Colorado logged at Chase Field, 16 went for singles. A pair of doubles were the only other extra-base hits along with the seven homers the Rockies could muster against Arizona pitching.

Next: 3 things we learned in the opening series against Arizona

At pitcher-friendly Petco Park, it may be tough for the Rockies to find their extra-base mojo … but it will certainly help their cause if they can cut down on the strikeouts and put the ball into play.