Charlie Blackmon’s scorching road trip through Texas and Philadelphia netted the Rockies center fielder the National League player of the week award, MLB said Monday.
Blackmon hit three home runs Friday against the Phillies, then hit two more Sunday at Citizens Bank Park. In seven games last week, Blackmon led the major leagues with seven home runs, 18 hits, 13 runs and a 1.313 slugging percentage. His .563 batting average over that stretch tied for first and he led the NL with nine RBIs and a .600 on-base percentage.
“For me, itap just putting good pitches in play and having the right mindset,” . “Swing at pitches that you’re looking for, not swinging at the ones you’re not.”
Blackmon, a leadoff hitter, became the first player since Citizens Bank Park opened in 2004 to hit five home runs in one series there, according to Elias. And it tied a Rockies record for most homers one series with Todd Helton, in 1999 vs. Montreal.
“I always say to him that he’s a great hitter. I always tell him he could be a middle-of-the lineup guy,” . “He’s shown that power.”
Blackmon, through 105 games, already topped his career high with 20 home runs. And he’s on pace for six-year highs in RBIs (currently 59), runs (79), batting average (.324), and OPS (.921).
Blackmon also won the NL’s player of the week award at the end of June. Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa won the AL award after hitting three home runs and 12 RBIs last week.
Looking ahead
Nationals LHP Gio Gonzalez (8-9, 4.24 ERA) at Rockies RHP Chad Bettis (10-6, 5.27), 6:40 p.m. Tuesday, ROOT; 850 AM
Bettis is rolling at Coors Field. The 25-year-old is riding a four-game winning streak in Colorado, including a 3-0 record and a 2.79 ERA at home in his past three, stretching over 19 1-3 innings. Overall, too, Bettis is 4-0 wth a 3.98 ERA in his past seven appearances, over 43 innings. And the Rockies are 6-1 behind him over that stretch. They are 10-2 in his past 12 starts. After struggling some early in the year, Bettis has become a workhorse, with a team-high 138 1-3 innings pitched this season. Nick Groke, The Denver Post
Wednesday: Nationals RHP Stephen Strasburg (15-3, 3.07 ERA) at Rockies RHP Jon Gray (8-6, 4.55), 1:10 p.m., no TV
Thursday: Off
Friday: Cubs RHP Kyle Hendricks (11-7, 2.10) at Rockies LHP Tyler Anderson (4-4, 3.42), 6:40 p.m., ROOT
