Colorado Rockies: 3 keys for the D’Backs series

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LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 23: Sam Hilliard #22 of the Colorado Rockies celebrates on his way to the plate after hitting a solo home run against relief pitcher Dennis Santana of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning at Dodger Stadium on August 23, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

Ross Stripling was struggling but the Rockies don’t take advantage of it

Problem 4: Ross Stripling’s control is not good today and it’s apparent, especially with his curveball. But on the first pitch, Sam Hilliard a) swings at the first pitch and b) swings at a curveball out of the zone.

He makes contact but rolls it to first. Rodgers is forced at second and Hilliard is safe at first. McMahon advances to third.

Elias Diaz comes up and walks on four straight pitches. Stripling gets a visit on the mound after this because the bases are loaded with two outs.

The lineup turns back over to Raimel Tapia.

Problem 5: Tapia swings first pitch on a borderline pitch away and foul tips it. Strike one. Next pitch, he swings again (at least it was down the middle) and flies out to left field.

Two in scoring position and nobody out, bases loaded and two out and nobody scores.

Tapia wasn’t put in a great position to end the inning considering the poor baseball decisions made prior to him, especially in the Rodgers at-bat with him and Murphy, but a huge opportunity goes to waste nonetheless.

Two of the starters that the Rockies will be facing in the Arizona series have an ERA that are less than 2.60 so they will likely have to put their situational hitting to good use.

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