SAN DIEGO — At the nucleus of a National League wild-card chase, in the square and congested visitors clubhouse at Petco Park here Thursday, the swelling pressure hid in the corners. The Rockies, a team on the brink, tried to reject scrutiny.
“We’re just trying to keep the atmosphere relaxed,” Colorado catcher said.
But even three hours before the start of a make-or-break four-game road series against the Padres, some negativity crept in. Dolly Parton’s “Jolene,” the wistful song of a jilted lover, blared from a portable stereo.
“Of course, it’s getting more intense. But all we can control is how we’re playing,” Wolters said. “Keeping the vibe positive. We can control that. There are a lot of things we can’t control. Our attitude, how hard we play, we can control that.”
The Rockies stepped into Thursday with a one-game lead over the Brewers for the second wild-card spot. The Brewers began a four-game series against the Cubs in Milwaukee.
The Rockies were in prime position less than a week ago, after a 16-0 blowout of the Padres in Denver and having won 10 of their last 13 games. But a three-game skid, including a two-game sweep in San Francisco, brought the Brewers and Cardinals closer.
“Because of the magnitude of these games and the scrutiny on the players, not just internally at the ballpark but externally too, players can get out of their own element,” Colorado manager Bud Black said. “So you try to keep them as loose as possible and keep them focused on just the game. You have to be relaxed and loose, but yet be focused and intense. It’s a skill. And a lot of times, experience helps create that skill.”
The duty of applying a looseness to a tightening clubhouse unfolded on a plane ride down the West Coast. The Rockies rookies, in an annual tradition, performed in costume for the veterans, this year dressing in full football pads and Broncos uniforms.
“We had some guys who looked like players,” Black said through a smile. “ looked like a wide receiver. looked like a defensive end. looked like a strong safety. looked like an outside linebacker. They looked good, man.”
, Colorado’s center fielder and an NL MVP candidate, will not change his routine just to fit a prescribed postseason attitude. He entered Thursday leading the league with a .331 batting average and 131 runs scored.
If the pressure of a postseason chase creeps into Colorado’s clubhouse, it will be Blackmon who stares it away.
“To me, this feels the same,” Blackmon said. “Other people put that extra pressure on it. I’m trying hard every time I’m up there. It doesn’t matter if we’re 20 games below .500 or 20 games above it. That’s the best place for a player to be mentally.
“If I were to play every day and then all of a sudden because of where we are I have to do something differently, then that means I was doing it wrong all along.”
Looking ahead
Rockies RHP Jon Gray (8-4, 3.75 ERA) at Padres RHP Jordan Lyles (1-3, 7.35), Friday 8:10 p.m., AT&T SportsNet, 850-AM
Gray over the past month has settled in — as was expected of him — atop the Rockies rotation. After missing several weeks with a broken foot, he has resumed his role as rotation anchor, compliling a 2.35 ERA in September, including five scoreless innings in a rain-shortened appearance Sunday. “A lot of momentum for Jon,” Colorado manager Bud Black said. “The fastball location, good slider, throwing the curve. Three quality pitches in play. He’s really in a good spot.” Gray will oppose his former rotation mate, Lyles, who gave up seven runs in four innings last week against the Rockies.
Saturday: Rockies RHP Chad Bettis (1-3, 6.23 ERA) at Padres RHP Jhoulys Chacin (12-10, 4.12), 6:40 p.m., AT&T SportsNet
Sunday: Rockies RHP German Marquez (10-7, 4.41) at Padres RHP Luis Perdomo (8-10, 4.57), 2:40 p.m., AT&T SportsNet
Monday: Marlins RHP Odrisamer Despaigne (0-3, 4.37) at Rockies RHP Tyler Chatwood (8-13, 4.56), 6:40 p.m., AT&T SportsNet
