The Colorado Rockies finished up their season-long 10-game homestand on a good note, defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 9-6 to even the critical early season division series at two games apiece.
The Rockies hosted three series over the 10-day stretch winning two and splitting four games with the Dodgers to extend their series unbeaten streak to five. As a matter of fact, the Rockies have only lost two series total this season. Colorado ended the homestand 6-4.
Collectively, the Rockies offense soared in the 10 games, scoring an average of 5.2 runs per contest. The pitching has produced of late, too. In the last seven days, Colorado’s arms combined for an ERA of 3.75, which is good for sixth-best in the National League in that span.
The homestand split with Los Angeles keeps the Rockies atop the National League West, and improved their record to 24-15, extending the best start in franchise history. The Rockies’ 24 wins currently leads the National League.
Also during the 10-game stretch, Colorado managed at one point to sit 10 games above .500 (following the club’s win over Los Angeles on Thursday), the first time the organization had accomplished such a feat since September of the 2010 season.
Colorado took two of three games against division rival Arizona to open the homestand. Entering that series, Arizona had a chance to take control of first place in the division. The Rockies followed that series by taking two of three from the defending world champion Cubs. The split with the Dodgers came at a time when Los Angeles had won five games in a row and 10 of their last 12.
Manager Bud Black, who has a strict one-game outlook, knows where his club is at this point.
“We feel good about how we are playing,” Black said. “We play one game at a time.”
In all, the homestand was a huge success for the Rockies, who have quietly begun to establish themselves as one of the best teams in baseball this season.
The pitching has continued to rise above expectations, and the bats are starting to come around, making for an electric Rockies ballclub that should only be getting better with major players like Trevor Story, Jon Gray, and David Dahl all currently sidelined due to injury.
“I think we are playing really good,” surging shortstop Pat Valaika said of the club’s current standing. “Some days it’s pitching, some days its offense, so everyone is doing their part and picking each other up. It’s fun, just pure fun.”
The Rockies will depart Coors Field for a 10-game road trip beginning Tuesday against the Minnesota Twins, Cincinnati Reds, and Philadelphia Phillies.
