Beginning with a screaming line drive that drilled the pitcher in his first at-bat of his first opening day start, Rockies left fielder David Dahl made a statement on Thursday in Miami.
That statement? All the hype about a finally healthy Dahl being ready to emerge as a top talent is true.
Dahl, who earned a starting outfield job after a big September last year followed by a solid spring training, singled off the leg of Marlins starter Jose Urena in the second inning. The game had to be paused as the right-hander limped around trying to shake off the beaning.
That was the first of three hits for Dahl, which tied a career-high as he also scored two runs. He said his role as an offensive centerpiece in the team’s 6-3 victory was keyed by a relaxed mindset entering the game.
“A lot of the older, veteran guys told me to just take it as another game and to not get caught up in the extra stuff that goes along with opening day,” Dahl said. “It’s game one of 162, so that was my mindset, to go out there and compete and not give at-bats away.”
In the fourth inning, the 24-year-old drove in the first run of the Rockies’ season — and gave them a lead they wouldn’t relinquish — with an RBI single to score Nolan Arenado and make it 1-0. He roped a double off Urena in the fifth, a 3-0 fastball Dahl took for a ride to right-center.
Now, can Dahl keep up his production? As fellow outfielder Ian Desmond explained during the spring, “the potential is endless” for the budding star.
Looking ahead
Rockies RHP German Marquez (17-7, 2.85 ERA in 2018) vs. Marlins RHP Trevor Richards (4-9, 4.42)
5:10 p.m. Friday, Marlins Park
TV: ATT SportsNet. Radio: 850 AM/94.1 FM
Marquez is coming off a breakthrough season in which he set a franchise record with 230 strikeouts. He was the National League pitcher of the month last September when he finished 3-1 with a 2.14 ERA and 48 strikeouts. However, he’s 0-3 with a 7.42 ERA in three previous starts vs. the Marlins. Richards was impressive vs. Colorado at Coors Field on June 23, allowing just one run on three hits, two walks and eight strikeouts.
Trending: Colorado’s one-two punch of Kyle Freeland and Marquez was dynamite last year, the duo combing for 303 strikeouts and 38 quality starts. Freeland did his part Thursday with seven excellent innings. Now it’s Marquez’s job to match him.
At issue: Offense from Rockies catchers was sorely lacking last year, when they had a combined average of .207. But starter Chris Iannetta came through with a big day in Thursday’s opener, batting 2-for-3 with an RBI and a double.
Upcoming pitching matchups
Saturday: Rockies LHP Tyler Anderson (7-9, 4.55) at Marlins RHP Pablo Lopez (2-4, 4.14), 4:10 p.m., ATTRM
Sunday: Rockies RHP Jon Gray (12-9, 5.12) at Marlins RHP Sandy Alcantara (2-3, 3.44), 11:10 a.m., ATTRM
Monday: Rockies RHP Chad Bettis (5-2, 5.01) at Rays TBA, 5:10 p.m., ATTRM
