SAN DIEGO — The numbing part of the Rockies’ disappointment is that they never saw it coming.
A lot of teams talk bravely in spring training, only to roll their eyes and shrug their shoulders in private. The Rockies left Scottsdale, Ariz., believing they could win their first division title. The National League West will be hanging in the balance, in part, today, but only because Arizona stopped by on its way back home.
The Diamondbacks are slithering closer to their first division title since 2007. The Rockies’ focus is broader, September more about development than results. Over the last seven weeks, Dexter Fowler has provided evidence that finding a center fielder and leadoff hitter should not be a priority this offseason.
The Rockies lost 7-2 at sun- splashed Petco Park, missing an opportunity to cleanse the palate of a bitter road trip with a sweep.
“It’s always frustrating to lose, no matter how it happens,” said Aaron Cook, who worked six innings. “If (Jeremy) Hermida doesn’t get that (third-inning) hit and make that great catch (on Kevin Kouzmanoff), we would have won.”
It was a typical game in San Diego, where flyballs come equipped with death certificates and well-placed groundballs determine the outcome.
During the Rockies’ sixth loss in the nine-game trip, Fowler continued an encouraging trend. Since his recall July 15, he has batted .309 (58-for-188), while reaching base nearly 40 percent of the time. He remains a work in progress on the bases, but just getting on base changes how the opposition attacks Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki.
“This is the player we were hoping to see from Day One,” Gonzalez said. “We want to Dexter to be this Dexter. It makes a big difference.”
The Rockies return home for a Labor Day contest needing victories in 16 of their final 22 games to post a winning record. Perhaps even more important, they must get a better read on their needs entering the winter.
Fowler remained a bright spot. He went 3-for-4, finishing the series with seven hits. He delivered his club-record 15th triple, breaking his previous mark. Fowler also has seven extra-base hits in six games.
“You never feel like you are in a great place when you lose,” Fowler said. “But I am comfortable in the box.”
Fowler pulled off a similar revival last season after a minor-league demotion, only to backslide in the first two months this year. He believes this adjustment is more permanent, pointing to a leg kick he has added from both sides of the plate.
“I have more power, but I can also see the ball better,” Fowler said.
When Fowler was demoted, he was adamant about continuing to switch hit. His splits are now nearly equal from both sides of the plate. No longer is he an easy mark against back-foot sliders while hitting left-handed. Manager Jim Tracy was asked how this stretch is different from when Fowler hit .280 in the second half last season.
“I see more consistency. I see better two-strike swings,” Tracy said. “I see him using the whole field. He has made an adjustment with his lower half and top hand. He’s hitting the ball hard to all fields.”
With no reason to focus on the standings, this month will be defined by ongoing evaluations.
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
Looking ahead
MONDAY: Diamondbacks at Rockies, 1:10 p.m., Root
In a month of evaluations, Esmil Rogers (6-4, 5.94 ERA) has been challenged to make a critical adjustment. At some point, he has to figure out the first inning, in which he owns an 18.00 ERA. It’s one thing to start slowly and quite another to let it spoil the entire game. Rogers lost to Arizona last week when Miguel Montero swatted a three-run, first-inning homer at Chase Field. Wade Miley (2-1, 3.94) is part of a young crew of Diamondbacks looking to make an impact this month. Miley beat the Rockies in his last start. Catcher Chris Iannetta likely will return to the lineup after going 3-for-3 against the left-hander. Miley has never pitched at Coors Field. Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
Upcoming pitching matchups
Tuesday: Diamondbacks’ Josh Collmenter (9-8, 3.18 ERA) at Rockies’ Jason Hammel (7-13, 5.15), 6:40 p.m., Root
Wednesday: Diamondbacks’ Joe Saunders (9-12, 3.91) at Rockies’ Kevin Millwood (2-1, 3.34), 6:40 p.m., Root
Thursday: Off
Friday: Reds’ Homer Bailey (7-7, 4.57) at Rockies’ Jhoulys Chacin (11-10, 3.60), 6:40 p.m., Root
