, the Rockies’ diminutive pest, is a giant killer. Against one giant, anyway. Colorado’s roving left fielder on Saturday belted a solo home run off Dodgers all-world lefty Clayton Kershaw. He is among the most successful hitters against the three-time Cy Young Award winner.
Parra’s home run, backing up ‘ two-run shot, were the first back-to-back homers off Kershaw in his 10-year career. It gave Parra a 1.023 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) against the lefty, the highest OPS among hitters with at least 30 at-bats. Parra passed Albert Pujols (1.016) on Saturday.
“He’s the best pitcher right now in the big leagues. I don’t want to try too much. I just got a couple good at-bats against him.”
Parra’s fast start this season (.440 batting average with a home run and six RBIs) has helped ease some worry. A season ago, he hit .253 and averaged a strikeout every five at-bats. It was his worst professional season.
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“I don’t want to talk about last year,” he said. “This is a new year. My point is to work hard and play hard every day.”
Parra switcheroo. Colorado manager Bud Black on Sunday used Parra’s streaking bat in the No. 2 spot of their batting order. He bumped Parra up from the fifth spot in place of second baseman . Parra went 3-for-5.
Black, though, said Parra is not likely to remain in the two-spot. LeMahieu, who struggled through six games, tripled and singled off the bench Sunday.
“Look at each game, look at each series, see what makes sense,” Black said. “If he would’ve hit three home runs (Saturday) night, he probably would’ve played (Sunday). I do have a home run rule: if you hit a home run you play the next day. Don’t hold me to it.”
Rusin back. Left-handed long reliever returned to the Colorado clubhouse Sunday, activated from the disabled list after recovering from a rib muscle oblique injury. The Rockies, in turn, sent right-hander German Marquez down to Triple-A Albuquerque.
Marquez, 22, did not appear in a game this season and will resume a starters role in the minors. He was the odd-man out in spring training when the Rockies sought a fourth and fifth starter. Those jobs went to Antonio Senzatela and Kyle Freeland.
Rusin was placed in Colorado’s bullpen, where he will share a long-arm role with . Rusin gives the Rockies three left-handed relievers in an eight-man pen.
“It’s a luxury if they’re good,” Black said.
Looking ahead…
Padres RHP Jarred Cosart (0-0, 27.00) at Rockies RHP Tyler Chatwood (0-1, 6.00), Monday, 6:40 p.m., ROOT TV, 850-AM
The Padres’ hodgepodge roster — general manager A.J. Preller has them in rebuild mode — owns a .250 average against Chatwood over the past five seasons — but on just 32 at-bats. More than half of them will face Chatwood for the first time. Chatwood, 27, the Rockies’ most experience starter, struck out five and walked none in his first outing last week at Milwaukee. But they touched him for four runs over six innings. His home-road splits last year were extreme, throwing a 1.69 ERA on the road (the second-best road mark in baseball) and a 6.12 ERA at Coors Field.
Tuesday: Padres RHP Jered Weaver (0-1, 7.20) at Rockies RHP Antonio Senzatela (0-0, 0.00), 6:40 p.m., ROOT
Wednesday: Padres RHP Luis Perdomo (0-0, 8.44) at Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (1-0, 1.50), 1:10 p.m., ROOT
Thursday: Rockies RHP Jon Gray (0-0, 5.79) at Giants’ LHP Madison Bumgarner (0-1, 3.00), 8:15 p.m., ROOT
