SEATTLE — In a bullpen that otherwise continues to struggle — Rockies relievers have the worst ERA in baseball this year — two pitchers have been shining recently.
Justin Miller, a right-hander, struck out Seattle slugger Nelson Cruz on Friday, giving Miller eight consecutive strikeouts. That’s a Rockies record.
Miller had already surpassed Manny Corpas (2013), Rex Brothers (2012) and Luis Vizcaino (2008), who shared the record with six.
“I’m not trying to strike everybody out,” Miller said Saturday. “I’m just trying to get ahead (in the count).”
Miller started this season in Double-A, then bounced quickly to Triple-A and to the majors. Twice he was bumped back down to Triple-A — but that was more about a roster numbers game, manager Walt Weiss said.
“I don’t feel any different now,” Miller said. “I’m real methodical and routine-oriented on the mound. Just one strike at a time.”
Miller’s strikeout streak is the longest in baseball since David Robertson fanned eight hitters in a row for the Yankees in 2012.
“Everything leads up to throwing the ball,” Miller said. “Once you throw the ball, there’s nothing else you can do. It’s like a typewriter. Ding.”
John Axford is streaking too. Colorado’s closer hasn’t allowed a run in nine consecutive appearances since Aug. 19.
Dickerson starting to hit his stride. In four games before Saturday since he returned from broken ribs, Corey Dickerson was only 3-for-12. But his double Friday against the Mariners and a home run at San Diego on Thursday indicate his swing is in place.
“When I get hurt, my motivation is always to come back better,” Dickerson said.
The Rockies wasted little time rehabbing Dickerson in three returns this season, from the rib injury and two stints on the disabled list because of an inflamed foot.
“Since I was a little kid, I was always able to hit. When I get in there, it’s like a switch. I can always do what I’ve done,” Dickerson said. “When you come back, you trust that when you start it up again, it’ll work.”
Footnotes. Shortstop Jose Reyes sat out a second consecutive game because of a sore Achilles tendon. … Catcher Tom Murphy made his big-league debut after the Rockies called him up Friday to replace injured Nick Hundley. “He certainly looks the part,” Weiss said of Murphy.
Looking ahead
Rockies’ Kyle Kendrick (5-12, 6.25 ERA) at Mariners’ James Paxton (3-3, 3.70), 2:10 p.m. Sunday, ROOT; 850 AM
In two games this month since returning from a shoulder injury, Kendrick has thrown nine up-and-down innings. Against the Diamondbacks on Sept. 1 at Coors Field, he threw four effective innings and allowed just one run on three hits. But the Rockies lost. Against the Padres in San Diego last week, Kendrick got through five innings with four strikeouts, but he gave up seven hits and three runs. The Rockies, though, beat the Padres 12-5 and Kendrick got a win on his record. Nick Groke, The Denver Post
Monday: Rockies’ Jon Gray (0-0, 5.17 ERA) at Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw (13-6, 2.15), 8:10 p.m., ROOT
Tuesday: Rockies’ Chris Rusin (5-8, 5.14) at Dodgers’ Brett Anderson (9-8, 3.36), 8:10 p.m., ROOT
Wednesday: Rockies’ Jorge De La Rosa (9-6, 4.28) at Dodgers’ Alex Wood (10-9, 3.67), 8:10 p.m., ROOT
Thursday: Off
