Colorado Rockies morning after: 3 things we learned from Dodgers series

Here are 3 things we learned about the Rockies’ from the season-opening series.

1) Connor Joe continues to swing a big bat

After a solid spring training in which he batted .412 with a pair of home runs and eight RBIs in 14 Cactus League contests, Joe started the regular season right where he left off in Scottsdale.

The seven-year veteran had two runs batted in, including an eighth-inning game-winning solo homer, in Colorado’s 3-2 victory Saturday night against the Dodgers. The 444-foot blast to center field was the longest of Joe’s career and the first roundtripper for the Rox this season. He also had a hit and notched a run in the opener on Friday and scored a run in Sunday’s series finale.

2) Elias Díaz shows veteran presence behind the plate

Besides flashing his prowess offensively with his home run and two-hit day on Sunday, Diaz exhibited his experience in handling and understanding pitchers as he indicated to Black that Blach was throwing well enough and could remain in game in the ninth to finish Sunday’s contest. Diaz’s suggestion came despite his never having teamed up with Blach before Sunday.

“I said we (can) go,” Diaz said. “He (Blach) was great. His command. He came on and he looked really nice. So that’s why I said he was ready for another one.”

“I want to tell you the truth, this was the first time that I caught him,” Diaz added. “I saw him in spring training. I watched a game and how he liked to pitch. I understand how he liked to throw it.”

3) Fans flock to Coors Field for Dodgers series

Despite a 99-day lockout between players and MLB management that forced a late start to the season, fans came in droves to see Colorado and Los Angeles open the season. A total of 137,529 fans witnessed the three games at Coors Field with all thee contests drawing crowds of at least 40,000. The three-day attendance of 137,359 was the second-highest average attendance in the Majors for Opening Weekend.

Following their home series to open the year, the Rockies have a quick turnaround with a two-game road series set to begin at 2:10 p.m. (Central time)/1:10 p.m. (Mountain time) on Monday against the Texas Rangers.

Austin Gomber is scheduled to make his initial start on the mound in 2022 for Colorado with Taylor Hearn listed to go for the Rangers. Newly acquired Chad Kuhl is slated to start on the hill for the Rockies for the 6:05 p.m. (Central time) Tuesday contest with Spencer Howard the announced starter for Texas.

Rox Pile’s Kevin Henry will be with the team in Texas so we will have live coverage from Texas in both games of the series.