With the Los Angeles Dodgers beating San Francisco 10-6 on Saturday afternoon, the pressure mounted on the Rockies as they attempt to win their first National League West title.
That can weigh heavy on the shoulders of Rockies starters, especially Jon Gray, who took the mound Saturday night against the Nationals, and German Marquez, who is likely to start in Sunday afternoon’s season finale on short rest.
But there is a potential pressure-release valve: Colorado’s red-hot offense.
Entering Saturday night’s game, the Rockies had scored 140 runs in September, the most in the National League. Their .274 batting average and 36 home runs this month ranked second in the NL.
“I think our offense has always been capable of this,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “We have this kind of potential. And what I really like is that the guys are embracing this right now.”
Leading Colorado’s hit parade are outfielders David Dahl and Charlie Blackmon. Dahl entered Saturday’s game having mashed home runs in five consecutive games, one behind Nolan Arenado’s franchise record six. Dahl was batting .329 in September, with eight home runs and 24 RBIs in 19 starts.
Blackmon, who hit his 28th home run of the season Friday night, is batting .340 in September, hitting safely in 23 of 26 games.
Shortstop Trevor Story, who missed five games with right elbow soreness, has still managed to hit nine home runs this month, tied for the most in the majors.
Nolan Arenado, who was in a funk for much of the month, is also starting to heat up. The third baseman had hit safely in eight of his last nine games, at a .314 clip.
“I think I’m in a better place now,” he said. “My swing is more on time and I’m seeing the ball better.”
