Not only has Johnston been one of the National League’s most productive hitters, but he’s also injected fun and energy into the clubhouse. And he’s become a fan favorite.

“People (who) watch television can point directly to Troy, he’s got a big personality,” manager Warren Schaeffer said. “We love Troy here. We absolutely love him. He brings a lot to the table in terms of his skills — on and off the field — and does bring a (special) vibe.”

What the outfielder/first baseman is doing at the plate, especially in the clutch, is exceptional. Entering Friday night’s game against the Brewers at Coors Field, Johnston was hitting .431 (22 for 51, including seven doubles) with runners in scoring position, the second-highest average in the majors behind the Athletics’ Nick Kurtz (.475, 19 for 40).

Overall, Johnston was hitting .320 with 27 RBIs.

Colorado claimed Johnston, 28, off waivers from the Marlins in November. He was by no means a lock to make the big-league team out of spring training, especially since he still has a minor league option and could have been assigned to Triple-A Albuquerque.

“It����ap all still just baseball,” Johnston said during spring training. “But you have to have a good, sound approach and still be athletic. And you have to have fun. So I’m doing what I can to make the team, make the adjustments I need to make, and go out and have fun.”

He’s having a ball right now. Johnston entered Friday’s game with multiple hits in a career-best four straight games. But it’s his ability to deliver baserunners to the plate that stands out most.

“With runners in scoring position, nothing should change,” Schaeffer said. “It’s all mentality. It’s all about how even-keeled you can stay. How slow is your heartbeat?

“I mean, you look at guys like (former Rockies third baseman) Nolan Arenado, or other guys who drive in a lot of runs, they stay the same guy. They don’t freak out because of the situation. They keep the same mentality — which is confidence. And Troy has a ton of it.”

Johnston, who was drafted by Miami in the 17th round of the 2019 draft out of Gonzaga, played six seasons in the minors and didn’t make his major league debut until July 29 of last season. He played in 44 games for the Marlins, slashing .277/.331/.420 with four home runs, two doubles, one triple, and 13 RBIs. With runners in scoring position, he hit .267 (8 for 30).

Johnston prides himself on his ability to handle the bat and put balls in play. He’s learned to exhale at the plate and focus on the task at hand.

“You know, I’ve been playing pro baseball for quite a while,” he said. “I don’t have that many games in the big leagues, but what I have found is that when you just try to put the ball in play, don’t press too much, and just try to make things happen, well, sometimes good things do happen.

“And sometimes it’s out of your hands. That’s all part of baseball. I try to remember that.”

Gordon to IL: Colorado’s starting rotation has taken another hit. Right-hander Tanner Gordon was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to June 2, with a right hip impingement.

The club recalled right-hander Zach Agnos from Triple-A Albuquerque. There is a chance that Agnos could start in Gordon’s place on Saturday against the Brewers.

Rumfield loses homer. First baseman TJ Rumfield’s home run total dropped from eight to seven on Friday when Major League Baseball made a scoring change.

In the fourth inning of the Rockies’ 8-2 win over the Angels on Tuesday night, TJ Rumfield hit a line drive to right center. Angels right fielder Jo Adell caught up to the ball, but it glanced off his glove, ricocheted off his forehead, and went over the yellow line for a home run. However, MLB ruled that Adell committed a four-base error and took the homer away from Rumfield.

Climbing the Charts

Outfielder/first baseman Troy Johnston is making his mark in his first season with the Rockies:
• .320 batting average: Ranks fifth in the majors (fourth in National League)
• .347 batting average at Coors Field: Sixth-highest home average in the majors.
• .431 batting average with RISP: Second-highest average in the majors.
• 17 doubles: Tied for fifth in the majors (fourth in NL)

Note: Through games of June 4
Source: Colorado Rockies

Weaver, the fiery Hall of Fame manager, famously said, “Momentum? Momentum is the next day’s starting pitcher.”

Wednesday night, the Angels teed off on Lorenzen, the Rockies’ struggling right-hander, and cruised to an 11-4 win in Anaheim.

Lorenzen, who departed after 3 1/3 innings, was charged with eight runs on 10 hits, and his ERA soared from 7.22 to 8.01. Momentum killed.

The Rockies, winners of four of five coming into the game, not only got clobbered, but they failed to capture a rare sweep. But they did win their second consecutive series for the first time this season.

Key moments: Los Angeles sent 10 men to the plate in the second inning, scoring six runs on six hits, a walk, and a wild pitch by Lorenzen. After two innings, Lorenzen had already thrown 61 pitches.

The Angels sent Lorenzen packing in the fourth with a two-run homer by Vaughn Grissom.

Who’s hot: Tyler Freeman, who started in right field, went 2 for 4 and hit a two-run homer in the fifth off right-handed starter Walbert Ureña.

Troy Johnston, who started at first base, got the Rockies on the board in the fourth with an RBI single to drive in Hunter Goodman. Johnston also singled home TJ Rumfield in the eighth off right-hander Ryan Zeferjahn. Johnston has been incredibly productive with runners in scoring position, hitting .431 (22 for 51).

Rookie left fielder Sterlin Thompson made a leaping catch against the wall in the fifth to rob Mike Trout of a home run.

Who’s not: Lorenzen, obviously, whose 8.01 ERA is the highest in the majors among starting pitchers with at least 10 starts, and whose .364 batting average against is also the highest. Lorenzen has a 1.99 WHIP.

Third baseman Kyle Karros, who’s been heating up lately, took a step back, hitting 0 for 4 with a strikeout. His average sits at .218.

Worth noting: Included in the Angels’ 16-hit night was a 4-for-5 night by Wade Meckler and a 4-for-5 night by Nick Madrigal.

Pitching probables

Thursday: Off day
Friday: Brewers RHP Brandon Sproat (1-4, 6.24 ERA) at Rockies RHP Ryan Feltner (2-1, 4.85), 6:40 p.m.
Saturday: Brewers RHP Jacob Misiorowski (6-2, 1.65) at Rockies RHP Tanner Gordon (0-1, 6.37), 7:10 p.m.
Sunday: Brewers LHP Shane Drohan (2-1, 2.87) at Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (1-6, 8.06), 1:10 p.m.
Monday: Off day
TV: Rockies.TV
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM

The Rockies’ talented first baseman was honored as the National League Rookie of the Month for May, Major League Baseball announced Wednesday.

Rumfield, 26, appeared in 25 games for the Rockies in May, slashing .310/.400/.483 with 13 runs scored, three doubles, four home runs, and 12 RBIs. He was at or near the top of the charts in several categories: batting average (first), on-base percentage (first), OPS (.883, first), home runs (tied for first), slugging percentage (second), hits (27, third), RBIs (third) and total bases (42, third).

Rumfield’s glove has been golden, too. He has not committed an error in 374 total chances.

He is the sixth Rockies player in franchise history to earn rookie of the month honors and the first since Nolan Jones won the award for September and October 2023.

For most young players, their first season in the majors is characterized by hot streaks and slumps. But Rumfield has been remarkably consistent, never going more than three games in a row without a hit.

“I think I’m most proud of my ability to take my results day to day and not read too much into certain days,” the left-handed hitter told The Post last week. “If I go 0 for 4, or if I go a 3 for something  … whatever happens that day, I feel like I can leave it at the yard. I have done a really good job of that this year and not taking it home to my wife (Hayden) and kid (Belle).”

Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer has been impressed.

“TJ has the ability to mentally stay the same every day, no matter the environment,” Schaeffer told The Post. “Whether he’s at Coors Field or Dodger Stadium, wherever he is …

“He’s doing that for the first time in the big leagues, and that just shows me he’s going to be like that his entire career. That����ap impressive.”

Here’s how: In the fourth inning of the Rockies’ 8-2 win over the Angels on Tuesday night, TJ Rumfield hit a 97.1 mph line drive to right center. Angels right fielder Jo Adell caught up to the ball, but it glanced off his glove, ricocheted off his forehead, and went over the yellow line for a home run. Adell’s header gave Rumfield his eighth homer of the season.

It was reminiscent of the moment Canseco used his noggin on May 26, 1993. In that game, Cleveland’s Carlos Martinez hit a high flyball to right field at old Municipal Stadium. Canseco, playing for the Rangers, whiffed on the catch, and the ball bounced off the top of his head for a homer.

Rumfield’s homer was one of three the Rockies launched Tuesday night. Hunter Goodman led off the second with a blast to left, his 15th homer of the season (11th on the road). In Colorado’s five-run fifth, Willi Castro mashed a 433-foot, three-run homer to right. Rumfield immediately followed up with his head-aided homer.

Starter Tomoyuki Sugano set the tone for the Rockies’ win, pitching five strong innings, allowing two runs on five hits, walking two, and striking out five. The veteran right-hander, Colorado’s most consistent starter, improved to 5-4 and trimmed his ERA to 3.98.

Key moments: Colorado sent nine hitters to the plate in the fourth inning, but all of its runs came with two outs. The onslaught began with three consecutive singles by Kyle Karros, Edouard Julien, and Jake McCarthy, and then came to homers by Castro and Rumfield.

Who’s hot: Leadoff hitter Jake McCarthy, who added a double in the sixth to go with his RBI single in the fourth. McCarthy has hit .327 (37 for 113) with eight doubles, two triples, four home runs, 23 RBIs, and five steals over his last 34 games.

Who’s not: Shortstop Ezequiel Tovar went 0 for 4 with a strikeout a night after he went 0 for 5 and struck out five times. Tovar drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to right field in the second. Tovar is hitting .212 with a .583 OPS.

Worth noting: By taking the first two games of the series at Angel Stadium, Colorado clinched its second series in a row. The Rockies won back-to-back series for the first time since Aug. 11-17, 2025, when they took two of three at St. Louis and three of four vs. Arizona.

Pitching probables

Wednesday: Rockies RHP Michael Lorenzen (2-7, 7.22 ERA) at Angels RHP Walbert Urena (2-4, 2.44), 7:38 p.m.
Thursday: Off day
Friday: Brewers RHP Jacob Misiorowski (6-2, 1.65) at Rockies RHP Ryan Feltner (2-1), 4.85, 6:40 p.m.
TV: Rockies.TV
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM

The Rockies scored five runs in the eighth, powered by Hunter Goodman’s three-run homer, and scored the winning run in the ninth on a sacrifice fly by TJ Rumfield to beat the Angels 9-8.

The victory marked the first time since July 16, 2016, at Atlanta’s Turner Field that the Rockies won a road game when trailing by three runs entering the eighth inning.

Monday night’s game was a sloppy affair. Colorado committed four errors, and Los Angeles pitchers issued 10 walks — including seven by starter Jose Soriano. Soriano also hit two batters.

Key moments: Colorado scored the go-ahead run in the ninth, combining a one-out single by Kyle Karros, a double by Jake McCarthy (2 for 4, a solo homer, two walks), and Rumfield’s sacrifice fly.

Colorado’s five-run eighth included back-to-back doubles by Sterlin Thompson and Kyle Karros to open the inning, and an RBI single by Tyler Freeman. But Goodman’s three-run blast off right-hander Jose Fermin was the game-saving at-bat.

Goodman has hit 14 homers, with 10 coming on the road, where he’s hitting .265. At Coors Field, he’s hit just four homers with a .204 average.

Who’s hot: Thompson and Karros both hit 2 for 4 from the bottom of the order. Karros is coming off a homestand in which he hit .375 (3 for 8) with a double and a home run.

Who’s not: Left-hander Kyle Freeland, who got the start and gave up seven runs (six earned) on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. Freeland, who has an 8.06 ERA over 10 starts, pitched better than he has of late, but the Angels tagged him for five hits in their five-run third, including a grand slam by Jose Siri.

Shortstop Ezequiel Tovar, who hit two home runs on Friday against the Giants, including his first career walk-off home run, had a rough night on Monday, striking out five times in five at-bats.

Worth noting: Welinton Herrera’s rookie season is over. The lefty reliever has suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow and will require Tommy John surgery. Herrera pitched only  2 1/3 innings this season. Colorado No. 14 prospect (MLB Pipeline) was placed on the 15-day injured list on Saturday with elbow inflammation, but an MRI revealed a tear. He’s now on the 60-day IL.

Rockies manager Warren Schaefer told MLB.com on Monday that there is no timeline regarding surgery or recovery time for Herrera.

Pitching probables

Tuesday: Rockies RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (4-4, 4.01 ERA) at Angels RHP Grayson Rodriguez (2-1, 7.53), 7:38 p.m.
Wednesday: Rockies RHP Michael Lorenzen (2-7, 7.22) at Angels RHP Walbert Urena (2-4, 2.44), 7:38 p.m.
Thursday: Off day
TV: Rockies.TV
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM

“Did he do it? Did he do it?” his teammates shouted. “Oh, he did it!”

A huge grin spread across Rumfield’s face.

Yep, home run to the third deck in right during Friday’s batting practice at Coors Field. A small slice of fun in a season that has the Rockies’ first baseman in the conversation for National League Rookie of the Year.

For most young players, their first season in the majors is a rollercoaster characterized by hot streaks and slumps. But the 26-year-old Rumfield has been remarkably consistent, never going more than three games in a row without a hit.

“I think I’m most proud of my ability to take my results day to day and not read too much into certain days,” the left-handed hitter said. “If I go 0 for 4, or if I go a 3 for something  … whatever happens that day, I feel like I can leave it at the yard. I have done a really good job of that this year and not taking it home to my wife (Hayden) and kid (Belle).”

Manager Warren Schaeffer has noticed.

“TJ has the ability to mentally stay the same every day, no matter the environment,” Schaeffer said. “Whether he’s at Coors Field or Dodger Stadium, wherever he is, he has the ability to stay like this.”

Schaeffer extended a steady hand to illustrate his point.

“He’s doing that for the first time in the big leagues, and that just shows me he’s going to be like that his entire career,”  Schaeffer continued. “That’s impressive.”

The Rockies have had only one player win Rookie of the Year, starting pitcher Jason Jennings in 2002. But with more than one-third of the season in the books, Rumfield’s qualifications are legitimate.

Entering Saturday’s game against the Giants, he was slashing .279/.356/.442 (.797 OPS) with seven home runs and 27 RBIs. His 15.3% strikeout rate is the lowest on the team, and his 9.0% walk rate ranks second to third baseman Kyle Karros (13.1%). He is hitting .280 (14 for 50) with runners in scoring position, ranking second to Troy’s Johnston’s sizzling .419 average (18 for 43).

“He’s mature, really mature,” outfielder Jake McCarthy said. “His approach at the plate is super-pro. Even when he gets beat, he manages to put the ball in play, see a lot of pitches, and swing at the right pitches.

“I’ve seen him have games where he has O-fers, and then the next day he comes back and has five really good at-bats. That’s a big part of this job. He does not play like a rookie. It’s really impressive.”

Colorado acquired the 6-foot-5, 240-pound Rumfield in a Jan. 28 trade with the Yankees for right-handed reliever Angel Chivilli. Chivilli made two appearances with the Yankees this season but has been on the injured list since April 25 with shoulder discomfort.

The Rockies had hoped that Michael Toglia, their first-round draft choice in 2019 (23rd overall), would be the long-term answer at first base. But Toglia’s exorbitant strikeout rate last season (39.2%) forced the Rockies to cut him loose.

When the Rockies traded for Rumfield, they hoped to get a player who would battle for the starting job at first base and fill in as a designated hitter. Rumfield has exceeded expectations.

“There is a real sense of timing and a consistent approach that stands out even more than the numbers,” general manager Josh Byrnes said. “He’s an adjustable, creative hitter. He can face a righty with this kind of arsenal, and righty with that kind of arsenal.  Ahead in the count, behind in the count, whatever tweaks you have to make as a hitter, he makes. He has quite a few clubs in his bag and has multiple ways to conduct an at-bat. That’s rare for a rookie.”

Rumfield’s minor-league numbers were strong, but he was blocked in the Bronx by Ben Rice, who has become a star at first base.

Last season, at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Rumfield had an .825 OPS with 16 home runs. He was ranked as the No. 22 prospect in the Yankees’ farm system. What Rumfield needed was a chance.

“I think you have to consider him a rookie-of-the-year candidate,” said Kyle Freeland, Colorado’s veteran left-hander. “He’s playing great defense at first base, and he’s been hitting the ball at a very consistent rate, all the way from spring training until now.”

Freeland agreed with McCarthy’s take that Rumfield conducts himself like a veteran, not a rookie.

“We see stuff in the clubhouse, behind the scenes, that the fans and the media don’t see,” Freeland said. “But I see him go about his day-to-day business like a true pro. If he has a bad game at the plate, he doesn’t dwell on it, and doesn’t try to make up for it the next day. He just goes out and tries to help the team win anyway he can. He’s done a good job of grasping that.”

According to Schaeffer, Rumfield’s solid defense is sometimes overlooked. Schaeffer has a point. Entering Saturday night’s game, Rumfield had a 1.000% fielding percentage, committing zero errors in 360 total chances at first.

“We don’t talk about it much, but his defense has been really, really good,” Schaeffer said. “He’s saving errors for guys, making really tough plays over there. He’s got good hands. Good hands on a big man.”

Awards season is a long way off, and Rumfield faces robust competition for Rookie of the Year, including Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt, Reds first baseman Sal Stewart, Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin, and Nationals right-hander Foster Griffin. But if Rumfield stays his consistent course — and adds some more power, something he’s quite capable of — he’ll be in the running.

Rumfield credits Schaeffer for much of his success this season.

“I’m playing free because ‘Schaeff’ has shown confidence in my abilities and trusted me, and that’s huge,” Rumfield said. “This game is so hard. I know we have two-thirds of the season left, and it’s going to be a day-to-day grind. My job is to stay on top of my craft and try to develop a game plan that can help this team win.”

Rumfield’s Rookie Resume

Rockies first baseman TJ Rumfield is making a case for National League rookie of the year. A snapshot of his season:

• 55 hits: Leads the Rockies and ranks second among all major league rookies, (first in the NL)
• .281 average: Second in the majors
• 27 RBIs: Fifth in the majors
• 17 extra-base hits: Tied for fifth in the majors
• .807 OPS: Tied for fourth in the majors

Note: Through games of Friday, May 29.
Source: Colorado Rockies

The right-fielder punched a single to right field with two outs in the eighth inning off lefty Tanner Scott to bust up the Dodgers’ combined no-hitter on Wednesday night in Los Angeles. But Freeman couldn’t save the Rockies from a 4-1 loss at the hands of Shohei Ohtani.

The Dodgers’ super-duper superstar put on an incredible show. Not only did he pitch six no-hit innings, but he also led off the Dodgers’ first inning with a 424 homer run to center off of fellow Japanese native Tomoyuki Sugano.

Ohtani became the first pitcher to hit a home run and allow no hits through the first six innings since the Cubs’ Jake Arrieta on Sept. 27, 2015.

The Dodgers, who outscored Colorado 24-10 in a three-game sweep, have beaten the Rockies 10 straight times in Los Angeles.

Key moments: The first inning decided the game. After Ohtani’s leadoff homer, Freddie Freeman hit a one-out homer to left-center off Sugano to make it 2-0.

Colorado scored its lone run off Ohtani in the fourth. TJ Rumfield drew a walk, Ohtani plunked Hunter Goodman, Troy Johnston’s fielder’s choice groundout moved Rumfield to third, and Willi Castro’s groundout scored Rumfield.

Who’s hot: Ohtani, of course, improved to 5-2 on the mound, even though his ERA actually rose from 0.75 to 0.82. His home run was his ninth, and at that point, he was 7 for 8 with three homers and three doubles against Sugano (including both the Nippon Professional Baseball and the majors).

Sugano (4 2/3 innings, three runs allowed on six hits) struck out Ohtani looking in the second inning and got him to ground out to first in the fifth inning.

Who’s not: Centerfielder Jake McCarthy, who went 0 for 3 and struck out three times against Ohtani. And infielder Edouard Julien’s slump keeps getting deeper. He went 0 for 2 with a strikeout. Julien is hitless over his last 34 at-bats, and is 1 for 40 over his last 15 games. The franchise record for consecutive hitless at-bats is 35, set by Ryan McMahon in 2025.

Worth noting: As impressive as Ohtani was, his command was not sharp. He exited the game after throwing 99 pitches through six innings, and only 56 went for strikes. He walked four and hit Rumfield, but he struck out seven.

Pitching probables

Thursday: Off day
Friday: Giants RHP Logan Webb (2-4, 5.06 ERA) at Rockies RHP Michael Lorenzen (2-7, 7.21), 6:10 p.m.
Saturday: Giants RHP Adrian Houser (2-4, 5.30) at Rockies TBD, 7:10 p.m.
Sunday: Giants LHP Robbie Ray (3-6, 4.60) at Rockies RHP Tanner Gordon (0-0, 5.85), 1:10 p.m.
TV: Rockies.TV
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM

Their 5-3 loss to the Dodgers on Monday night provided the latest example.

The Rockies took a 3-1 lead in the seventh when Ezequiel Tovar led off with a 431-foot homer off reliever Kyle Hurt. It was a big moment for a couple of reasons. First, it was Tovar’s first homer in 187 plate appearances, the longest homerless drought of his career. Second, Los Angeles’ bullpen had not been scored upon in 11 straight games and had fired 38 consecutive scoreless innings, the longest streak by the Dodgers in the modern era (since 1901).

But the celebration in Colorado’s dugout was premature because the Dodgers scored four runs in the bottom of the frame. Back-to-back leadoff walks by reliever Juan Mejia and a hit-by-pitch by lefty reliever Brennan Bernardino provided the kindling for L.A.’s rally. It scored runs on Shohei Ohtani’s groundout, Mookie Betts’ sacrifice fly, Freddie Freeman’s RBI double, and Andy Pages’ run-scoring single.

Key moments: Colorado took a 2-1 lead in the fourth, combining a leadoff double by Tyler Freelman, an infield hit by Troy Johnston, an RBI single by Willi Castro and a sacrifice fly by Tovar.

Who’s hot: Right-hander Tanner Gordon, making his first official start of the season, gave Colorado five strong innings. He allowed one run on six hits, walked one, and fanned three. It was a nice turnaround from his last outing, when he gave up seven runs on 12 hits in 6 1/3 innings of relief vs. Texas.

Tovar’s 2-for-3, two-RBI night provided proof that he’s finally emerging from his season-long slump.

Who’s not: Catcher Hunter Goodman was 0 for 4 with three strikeouts, and his average is down to .241. His strikeout rate is 36%.

Edouard Julien, who replaced first baseman TJ Rumfield when Rumfield left the game after getting hit by a pitch in the first inning, went 0 for 2 with a walk. Julien is hitless in his last 32 at-bats and 1 for 38 over his last 14 games.

Worth noting: Rumfield, who got plunked in the right hand by Emmet Sheehan, had X-rays taken at Dodger Stadium. The X-rays were negative, although it’s not known if he’ll miss any time.

Before Monday’s game, Colorado placed left-handed pitcher Jose Quintana on the 15-day injured list with a left elbow sprain. Quintana injured his elbow in Colorado’s 9-1 loss at Arizona on Sunday. In a corresponding move, left-handed pitcher Welinton Herrera was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque. In his major league debut, he pitched a one-two-three eighth inning.

Pitching probables

Tuesday: Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (1-5, 7.04 ERA) at Dodgers LHP Eric Lauer (1-5, 6.69), 8:10 p.m.
Wednesday: Rockies TBA at Dodgers RHP Shohei Ohtani (4-2, 0.73), 8:10 p.m.
Thursday: Off day
TV: Rockies.TV
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM

Another poor start from veteran right-hander Michael Lorenzen, and hitting 1 for 9 with runners in scoring position cost Colorado in a 5-4 loss to the Diamondbacks at Chase Field.

Rumfield led off the eighth with a solo home run off Brandon Pfaadt, the first home run in 312 plate appearances for Colorado, just eight plate appearances shy of the longest drought in franchise history.

Key moments:  Arizona leadoff hitter Ketel Marte blasted a two-run, 424-foot homer off Lorenzen in the fourth to give the Diamondbacks a 5-2 lead. The ball came off Marte’s bat at 112.4 mph.

The Rockies had a chance for a big inning in the eighth, putting two men on after Rumfield’s homer, but the rally was short-circuited when Ezequiel Tovar’s bunt turned into a forceout at third, and Sterlin Thompson and Chad Stevens failed to drive in the tying run.

Who’s hot: Rumfield, who has the most hits of any rookie in the majors, went 3 for 4 and raised his average to .289 and his OPS to .819. Troy Johnston hit 2 for 3 and drove in a run in the fourth. Johnston is hitting .323.

Righty reliever Keegan Thompson made his Rockies debut and kept the Rockies in the game by pitching 2 2/3 scoreless innings. He allowed three hits and walked two, but worked his way out of trouble. Thompson did not make a big-league appearance in 2025, going 6-2 with a 4.50 ERA in 33 appearances for Triple-A Iowa in the Cubs organization. The Rockies picked him up off waivers in January.

Who’s not: Lorenzen, who saw his ERA rise from 7.03 to 7.21 after the D-backs tagged him for five runs on eight hits over five innings. However, Lorenzen struck out five while walking just one.  The right-hander entered the night with the highest ERA among pitchers with at least 10 starts. Opponents are hitting .353 off him, the highest average in the majors.

Third baseman Kyle Karros, coming off a homestand in which he hit .176 (3-17), is 0 for 9 in the first three games against Arizona, and his average is down to .200.

Worth noting: The Rockies’ lineup is limping. Infielder Willi Castro, initially slotted to start at first base and hit cleanup, was a late scratch Saturday night because of low back tightness. Castro had been swinging a solid bat of late, going 8-for-24 (.333) in his last eight games.

On Friday, the Rockies placed outfielder Mickey Moniak on the 10-day injured list with right ankle tendinitis. Moniak is hitting .280 and leads the team in home runs (12) and RBIs (28).

Pitching probables

Sunday: Rockies LHP Jose Quintana (2-2, 4.08 ERA) at Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (1-3, 5.19), 2:10 p.m.
Monday: Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (1-5, 7.04) at Dodgers Emmet Sheehan (3-1, 4.93), 7:10 p.m.
Tuesday: Rockies TBA at Dodgers LHP Eric Lauer (1-5, 6.69), 8:10 p.m.
Wednesday: Rockies RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (4-3, 3.68) at Dodgers RHP Shohei Ohtani (4-2, 0.73), 8:10 p.m.
TV: Rockies.TV
Radio: KOA, 850 AM/94.1 FM

The latest exhibit was outfielder Jake McCarthy’s performance from the leadoff spot in the Rockies’ final-inning, 5-4 loss to Texas on Wednesday afternoon at Coors Field.

Hitting in the top spot for the first time since March 31, McCarthy hit a single in the first, stole second, and scored on TJ Rumfield’s single. McCarthy scorched a triple to right-center to lead off the fifth and scored on Tyler Freeman’s single.

“I think it’s a good opportunity to steal bases in the first at-bat of the game, if you get on,” said McCarthy, who is slashing  326/.367/.587 across 15 games in May.  “That first inning was a good example of getting on … and it’s fun to make things happen.”

McCarthy is one of the fastest players in the majors. He showed off his speed with his triple, giving himself a green light from the jump.

“I think as an outfielder, I just know that the right-center gap, or even the left-center gap, is far away,” said McCarthy, whose three triples lead the team. “I know it’s going to take a really good throw to get me out at third. I’ve just got to find slug (slugging percentage) somehow, so I’m always looking to take extra bases.”

Manager Warren Schaeffer is excited about the prospect of McCarthy jumpstarting the offense from the top of the order.

“Jake has all of the skill set to hit at the top,” Schaeffer said. “In today’s game, it’s not necessary to have a bunch of speed to hit at the top, but it adds to it, for sure. His bat is really good right now and has been for a while.”

McCarthy appears to be in line to replace the slumping Edouard Julien in the leadoff spot. After batting .324 (23 for 71) during March/April, Julien is hitting a .065 (3 for 46) average and is 1 for 32 over his last 11 games.

Schaeffer definitely sees McCarthy — when he’s hot — as a game-changing weapon.

“That’s how Jake plays the game and you feel like he’s always going to take the extra base,” the manager said. “You felt like that when he was with the Diamondbacks and he did it against us. I know the feeling that puts on you — the pressure — so, we’re lucky to have him.”

Losing cause. Colorado fell to 5-13 in May and has not won a series this month after dropping two of three to Texas. The Rockies are 1-6 in rubber matches this season.

Wednesday’s loss was particularly harsh. The Rockies led 4-3 heading into the ninth and reliever Brennan Bernardino struck out Danny Jansen to open the inning. But Joc Pederson reached on catcher’s interference by Brett Sullivan, and then Justin Foscue and Alejandro Osuna singled to load the bases.

Juan Mejia replaced Bernardino, but Sullivan misplayed Mejia’s 0-1 fastball to Josh Jung, and Pederson scored, tying the game 4-4. Sullivan was charged with a passed ball. Jung then singled to drive in Foscue with the go-ahead run.

Asked to explain Colorado’s failure to win close ballgames, Schaeffer said, “There’s nothing to address. They know. They are in the process of learning how to win. We had exactly what we wanted there in the ninth inning. lt was just unfortunate, it didn’t work out. Some things just didn’t go our way today.”

Doyle’s injury. Center fielder Brenton Doyle injured his left side in the first inning of the Rockies’ 10-0 loss to the Rangers on Tuesday night. He was not in the lineup on Wednesday. Doyle said he has a bruised left side and an oblique injury. It’s still unclear what the extent of the injury is. Schaeffer said the team will continue monitoring Doyle.

Also, struggling right-handed reliever Victor Vodnik (8.00 ERA) was placed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with right ulnar nerve inflammation.

For openers. The Rockies have used an opener seven times this season to begin games. The results have been awful. The team is 1-6 with the openers posting a combined 12.71 ERA in those games.

Right-hander Jimmy Herget has opened three games, Bernardino two, and Sammy Peralta and Mejia one each.

Nonetheless, Schaeffer said the concept of using an opener is a good one.

“It’s been hit or miss, in terms of the results,” he said before Wednesday’s game. “But in theory, it is sound. The idea of an opener is to put up a zero in the first inning against the other team’s best hitters.

“And then having the second guy not have to face the team’s best hitters the third time through the order in a tight ballgame. In theory, it is sound. We just have to execute it.”

Pitching probables

Thursday: Rockies TBD at Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (4-1, 2.53 ERA), 7:40 p.m.
Friday: Rockies RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (4-3, 4.02) at Diamondbacks RHP Michael Soroka (6-2, 3.49), 7:40 p.m.
Saturday: Rockies RHP Michael Lorenzen (2-6, 7.03) at Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (2-4, 4.78), 8:10 p.m.
Sunday: Rockies LHP Jose Quintana (2-2, 4.08) at Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (1-3, 5.19), 2:10 p.m
TV: Rockies.TV
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM