Colorado Rockies morning after: Brendan Rodgers’ birthday no party for Cardinals

Colorado Rockies second baseman Brendan Rodgers turned 26 on Tuesday, and he celebrated his birthday in fine fashion against the St. Louis Cardinals at Coors Field.

Brendan Rodgers made Colorado Rockies history on Tuesday night as the home team pounded St. Louis Cardinals pitching early and often

Rodgers became the first Colorado Rockies player in franchise history to pump out four hits on his birthday, going 4-for-5 and scoring three runs as part of a big offensive night as the Rockies opened the homestand with a 16-5 pasting of the Cardinals.

He was one of three Rockies players to be 3-for-3 at the plate through the game’s first three innings, driving St. Louis Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas from the game with a historically bad night on the mound. Rodgers would go on to be 4-for-4 with a walk, but would fly out to right field for the final out of the eighth inning as his only box score blemish of the evening.

“I was trying to keep it perfect. You know, finish up 5-for-5 or get another walk,” Rodgers said after the game. “But it’s alright. I’m very happy with four hits and a win. That’s really all you can ask for. I had a great day. A lot better than the previous birthday.”

Flash back a year ago and Rodgers was sitting out of the game on his birthday, battling a right hand contusion caused by a wayward pitch. So, yes, it’s safe to say that Rodgers tearing up the Cardinals was a vast improvement on 2021’s birthday subdued celebration.

The four hits from Rodgers marked the third time in his career he has had that many in a game. It also continued a strong stretch at the plate from him since the All-Star break as he is slashing .389/.425/.486 with 16 runs scored in those 18 games. He’s also hit safely in 26 of his last 29 games, with multiple hits in 10 of his last 21.

“I’m just sticking with my plan and my approach and keeping it as simple as possible, using the whole field and trying to spray line drives all over the yard,” Rodgers said. “It’s paying off. All of the work in the cage and prior to the game is starting to show.”

After slashing .078/.172/.098 in 14 games, Rodgers now leads all National League second basemen in a number of categories, including batting average (.284), total bases (169), and hits (111).

It’s been quite a turnaround for Brendan Rodgers at the plate since April, and his four-hit night on Tuesday was the icing on the birthday cake for what has been a breakout season and a big positive for the Colorado Rockies in 2022.