Colorado Rockies: Notes heading into June

The last game of the month of May for the Colorado Rockies served as a microcosm of the entire month. Jon Gray pitched fine, until he didn’t. Carlos Gonzalez made contact more effectively but that didn’t necessarily result in hits. There is still a revolving door to see who can fill in DJ LeMahieu. (Although  Finally, the offense looked like it was clicking again but in the end, the team relied to heavily on Nolan Arenado.

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The way the Rockies started against the Giants with four consecutive hits and four runs in the first two innings, that the team would cruise into June on a high note. Then the rain came and this game was decided when Jon Gray walked in two runs and was pulled after 3.1 innings, which is his  shortest outing of the season. Arenado already hit a three-run homer in the first. He needed another in the ninth just to tie the game.

Gray’s five strikeouts were promising and without the bobble on a sac bunt would have got him out of a bases loaded jam but the remnants of last year’s playoff start still haven’t seemingly been shaken off. Kyle Freeland, Chad Bettis and lately German Marquez are holding this rotation together. If his command straightens out, this rotation is more than suitable enough to get to their bullpen which is still more than capable of winning games for this club. Even with Adam Ottavino on the DL.

As for the offense, this team is better when Gonzalez is back to himself and hitting in the four spot. Trevor Story was there last night mostly because his strikeout totals have encouragingly been dwindling. CarGo got a double last night but it was by far the worst ball he hit. In his third at-bat, he lined a ball that would have yielded an RBI and got the club within striking distance but center fielder Gorkys Hernandez made a great play on it.

CarGo slamming his helmet in frustration was actually encouraging to see. When he speaks to the media, he is always even keel no matter the kind of outing he had. The passion exhibited by Gonzalez on a better night than his scorecard showed will be the necessary fire to get him going like the star we’re used to. This whole club is hitting better, including Ian Desmond.

It’s hard to complain about a team in first place in the division, although the rest of the division is struggling. The Rockies are off to one of their best starts in franchise history. This time last year, the club won 33 games. Before last year, the last time the team had 30 or more wins at the end of 56 games was 2002. It’s a good start, now it’s time for a great finish. The club is finding different ways to win now besides what we are used to by dominating and clubbing at Coors Field. Winning at home will inevitably come. They have improved dramatically on the road and they are anchored by their bullpen. When did you ever think that would would be said about this franchise?

Next: Colorado Rockies: The bullpen’s newest secret weapon

Yeah the rain came down and rained on the Rockies parade in what seemed like a promising win from a division rival at home on the last game of May. That’s okay, this team is different than the one you’re used to and changing expectations heading into June.