Charlie Blackmon said itap unrealistic to play in 20 consecutive games as scheduled in this shortened Rockies season.
With some needed rest Saturday night in Los Angeles, he was granted two options: Sit out against the Dodgers or join Colorado’s lineup as a designated hitter.
“I chose to DH in that situation,” Blackmon told reporters pregame on a video conference call. “I think itap a good thing that we have that for this year. But I don’t know about going forward.”
The National League adopted the use of a DH for the first time in MLB history this year (the AL has had it since 1973). Major League Baseball is also considering the use of a universal DH in 2021, . Don’t count Blackmon among those excited if it happens. In three prior games as DH this year, his batting average is .167 over 12 plate appearances.
“Itap something of a necessary evil for this year,” Blackmon said. “I don’t really like DH-ing. … I’m ready to hit when I DH, I just don’t feel like I’m as much a part of the game, or I don’t have as sharp of a feel for the game, because I’m not playing a position as well.”
The Rockies have tinkered with their approach to a designated hitter all season with outfielders Matt Kemp and Raimel Tapia featured at DH most often (43 combined games). Tapia leads all Rockies with 15 hits in the role. But expect more of a DH-by-committee approach throughout the year.
“We’ve bounced the DH around a little bit this year between a number of guys,” Colorado manager Bud Black said. “We felt it was good to get Charlie off his feet, give him a (rest) from playing right field. Hopefully, that will keep him physically in a good spot. As far as moving forward, I can see the DH becoming a part of the National League. We’ve been hearing that for a number of years now.”
Blackmon entered Saturday’s game with a career .309 average against the Dodgers while hitting safely against LA in 11 consecutive games.
End the slide. Colorado (13-13) entered Saturday nightap game in Los Angeles on a five-game losing streak, its longest of the season, with the Dodgers’ stranglehold on the NL West tightening at 20-8.
“Getting any win anytime is a good one, but where we are right now, a win would be great,” Black said. “Then win again (Sunday) and then win the next one. Keep winning. … Usually, there is a momentum that can occur once you get off a losing streak. Hopefully, that starts tonight.”
Added Blackmon: “We’re going to be just fine. I think we’ll turn it around and play really good baseball for a good portion of the rest of the season.”
On Deck
Rockies RHP Antonio Senzatela (3-0, 2.90 ERA) at Dodgers RHP Ross Stripling (3-1, 5.61)
2:10 p.m. Sunday, Dodger Stadium
TV: AT&T SportsNet
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 AM
Senzatela is one of four National League pitchers with three or more wins and no losses. He enters Sunday’s game three-for-five in quality starts, and at times this season, he has been the Rockies’ most dominant pitcher. Senzatela pitched eight scoreless innings of three-hit baseball at the Astros on Tuesday and the Rockies are 3-2 over his last five outings. Senzatela struggled in four starts against LA last season, going 1-2 with a 6.38 ERA. Stripling was selected by the Rockies in the ninth round of the 2011 MLB draft but did not sign. He returned to Texas A&M and was picked in the fifth round the following year by the Dodgers. This season, Stripling has 22 strikeouts and one of LA’s eight quality starts. Last year as a starter, he went 2-3 with a 3.60 ERA in 15 outings and limited opponents to a .246 batting average.
Trending: Infielder Trevor Story is batting .310 with 11 runs, six doubles, one triple, two home runs, and nine RBI, while also reaching base safely in 11 of his past 13 games.
At issue: The Rockies’ pitching staff has mostly thrived during its current four-game road losing streak with nine earned runs allowed over 34.1 innings for a 2.36 ERA. Colorado’s loss on Friday marked the first time this year that it allowed more than three runs in a road game (5-1).
Pitching Probables:
Monday: Rockies RHP Ryan Castellani (0-1, 3.77) at Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (3-2, 2.59), 7:40 p.m., ATTRM
Tuesday: Rockies RHP German Marquez (2-4, 4.38) at Diamondbacks TBD, 7:40 p.m., ATTRM
Wednesday: Rockies RHP Jon Gray (1-3, 6.23) at Diamondbacks LHP Robbie Ray (1-3, 8.33), 7:40 p.m., ATTRM
