SAN DIEGO — For the sixth consecutive season, the Rockies aren’t playing any September games of substance.
But that doesn’t mean the games are meaningless.
“It’s easy to get distracted when you’re not in a pennant race and you’re playing out the string,” Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. “It’s just human nature. My message once a week has been about getting to the finish line the right way, maintaining integrity, building a reputation in the game as a winning player. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to do that every day.”
Weiss said he has been impressed by the way his players have carried themselves.
“It’s been a tough year at times,” he said. “They’ve never checked out, and they won’t. With a few weeks to go here, they’re going to sprint to the finish line. Particularly as a player, you’re being evaluated every day that you show up. …
“There’s very few guys in this league who don’t have to prove themselves on a daily basis. The super-talented guys are going to get the benefit of the doubt because of their track record, but the majority of the guys have to prove it every day. And we all need to be reminded of that.”
Rosario at catcher. With Nick Hundley (neck) sidelined and Dustin Garneau needing a breather, Wilin Rosario made a start behind the plate for the first time this season. “Rosario really stepped up for his first time behind the plate, catching on a tough day. He got us through it and then some,” Weiss said.
What’s the count? There were about 4,000 fans at Petco Park for the makeup of the July 19 game that was rained out. When paid attendance of 21,922 was announced in the press box in the sixth inning, a fan within earshot just below said: “What are you guys smoking up there?”
Rockies’ Chad Bettis (6-5, 4.95 ERA) at Mariners’ Hisashi Iwakuma (7-3, 4.03), 8:10 p.m. Friday, ROOT;850 AM
Among the Rockies’ starters, Bettis ranks second in fewest homers allowed this season at 1.1 per nine innings pitched. Jorge De La Rosa is slightly better (1.0). With nine of his 16 games pitched at Coors Field, 1.1 is a respectable number for Bettis. On the road, he’s allowing fewer than one homer per nine. But he is striking out fewer batters on the road. His strikeout-to-walk ratio in LoDo (2.69) is much better than it is on the road (1.82). At Safeco Field, Bettis will make a start in the most pitcher-friendly ballpark the Rockies play in this season outside of San Francisco. Safeco Field is the fourth-most pitcher- friendly park in the majors.
Saturday: Rockies’ Yohan Flande (3-2, 4.65 ERA) at Mariners’ Roenis Elias (4-8, 4.30), 7:10 p.m., ROOT
Sunday: Rockies’ Kyle Kendrick (5-12, 6.25) at Mariners’ TBA, 2:10 p.m., ROOT
Monday: Rockies at Dodgers, pitchers TBA, 8:10 p.m., ROOT
