Colorado Rockies: 3 positives and negatives from the D-Backs series

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Apr 7, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies center fielder Garrett Hampson (1) runs to third after stealing second base in the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

The Colorado Rockies just wrapped up their series with the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field to end the inaugural homestand of 2021 on a high note.

They won the last two games of the series, taking two of three in the series but overall in the series, there were three main positives and negatives to take away from it from the Rockies perspective.

Rockies starting pitcher Jon Gray rebounded well

After his first start of the season against the Dodgers, nobody was sure how long he would be out considering that he left the game due to full-body cramps but he didn’t miss any time, which is phenomenal, especially since the Rockies rotation was already down a bit after the Dodgers series and with Kyle Freeland on the IL.

To top it off, he showed that he was healthy as he didn’t allow a hit in the first six innings he pitched. Total, Gray allowed two hits, one run, four walks, and he struck out five.

Garrett Hampson looks like a good leadoff hitter

Raimel Tapia has struggled both defensively and offensively to start the season so, in the last two games, Garrett Hampson has been in the leadoff spot and he has played well.

Entering the final game of the series, he was averaging 4.97 pitches per at-bat, which was tops in the NL. That’s a stat that’s good for a leadoff guy since that means guys later in the lineup (like Trevor Story, Charlie Blackmon, and Ryan McMahon) get to see more of what the pitcher has that day.

He also has already five RBI and four stolen bases on the season. The stolen base total would put him on pace for north of 80 if he got 600 at-bats this season.

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – JULY 21: Ryan McMahon #24 of the Colorado Rockies during a MLB exhibition game at Globe Life Field on July 21, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

The Rockies offense is hitting for power

The Rockies are currently second in the NL in home runs hit (12) and third in the NL in slugging percentage (.468).

A few Rockies showed that in the D-Backs series as Ryan McMahon had a three home-run game on Tuesday.

McMahon is now nearly halfway to his 2021 home run total of nine as he has four thus far in 2021. Dom Nunez has also hit three home runs, which is more than Rockies catchers hit combined in 2020.

Sam Hilliard has also shown power in his limited action as in his 11 total at-bats on the season, he has three hits, including a triple and two home runs. Chris Owings also has three doubles and two triples as well. But …

Chris Owings is out … at least for the time being

Chris Owings suffered a hamstring injury during the series and, as of this publication, he is listed as day-to-day.

Rockies manager Bud Black provided the media, including Rox Pile, an update on the injury on Thursday but we will likely learn more about it on Friday.

DENVER, CO – APRIL 2: Carlos Estevez #54 of the Colorado Rockies delivers to home plate during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on April 2, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /

The bullpen has been a bit shaky … again

Carlos Estevez struggled in 2020 … and he struggled in spring training … and he has struggled to the start the season. He has gone 3 1/3 IP in four appearances for the Rockies thus far and he has allowed four hits, three runs (all earned), and walked three.

Yency Almonte rebounded with a good outing on Thursday but he still struggled in his second and third outings of the season, which is why he still has an ERA of 8.31 (4 1/3 IP, 8 H, 4 ER).

Tyler Kinley, Mychal Givens, Chi Chi Gonzalez, Ben Bowden, and Jhoulys Chacin all have ERAs of 5.40 or higher, with Bowden’s being at 15.43.

Obviously, it’s very small sample sizes for all of them but considering how poor the bullpen was in 2020, that’s not a good sign going forward.

Trevor Story and Charlie Blackmon are off to slow starts

Trevor Story snapped an 0-for-14 stretch on Thursday when he doubled in the first inning. He had one more hit and two RBI in the game on Thursday so hopefully, it will be a start for him for hitting like Trevor Story.

Even with the two hits, he’s still only hitting .226 to start the season.

Charlie Blackmon also had two hits and two RBI on Thursday but even with that, he is still only hitting .174 to start the season. But, like with Story, you have to start somewhere so maybe, for each of them, their play on Thursday will show that they are just starting to heat up.

Next. Thoughts and opinions on the Arenado developments yesterday. dark

The Rockies will start their first road trip of the season this afternoon as they take on the San Francisco Giants in their home opener. First pitch is slated to be at 2:35 PM M.T. Austin Gomber will toe the slab for the Rockies and Johnny Cueto will oppose him for the Giants.

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