Colorado Rockies: 3 keys for the D’Backs series

The Rockies had a lot of problems happen on back-to-back pitches

Problem 1: Rodgers is swinging 2-0 in this spot. Stripling is already struggling with his command. The pitch that Rodgers swung at was a strike but he rolls over on it. This isn’t a problem if Rodgers gets a hit and drives in run, but he doesn’t. Therefore, this is a problem.

Problem 2: Immediately on contact, Daniel Murphy breaks from third when there’s nobody out and his team is already losing. Even though he’s playing back, third baseman Max Muncy fields the routine grounder and throws home to beat Murphy by 10 feet.

Problem 3: Murphy gets in a rundown but McMahon can’t advance because Murphy barely lasts in the rundown, as the catcher tags him out without any further throwing. Rodgers also can only get to first. If Murphy and McMahon communicate better before or during the play (perhaps with third base Stu Cole as well), maybe McMahon gets up to third and maybe even Rodgers gets to second. But that doesn’t happen.

Even with the infield playing back, watch the ball. If it gets through to the outfield, great. If it doesn’t and Murphy isn’t going, with Rodgers’ speed, he might beat it out anyways. Break when he throws to first or, worst case, you’ve got second and third with one out.

As Bud Black said postgame, though, both Murphy and McMahon needed to “be on the same page” in that spot, but they were not.

Instead, you have runners on first and second with one out. However, problem four is on the next pitch.