SAN DIEGO — Powering pitches over the fence, chasing down flyballs in right field, and running well on the bases, 36-year-old Charlie Blackmon might be on track for a comeback season.
Being able to move without pain makes a big difference. Blackmon struggled late last season and it was apparent that he wasn’t moving well because of knee and hamstring issues. He underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in October.
“Like a lot of players, you play through the nagging injuries, like Charlie did,” manager Bud Black said. “But I do think that he didn’t have his legs underneath him. That really affects you, more than you think. You use that lower half to create a foundation to hit. At this level, you need that. It’s the sturdiness of the lower half that creates power. Last year, I think injuries affected Charlie.”
In 2021, Blackmon hit a career-low 13 home runs. Last season, he swatted 16 before July 27 but then entered the longest drought of his career, going 47 games and 182 at-bats before he finally went yard again.
It’s super early, of course, but Blackmon entered Monday night’s game at Los Angeles hitting .438 (7 for 16) with one home run, two doubles and three RBIs. He played all four games in Colorado’s season-opening series vs. the Padres, two as the designated hitter, and two as right fielder.
“I feel like less is more right now,” Blackmon said. “I’m trying not to do too much. Just trying to swing at good pitches and not overcomplicate things. Just stay relaxed and let my eyes do the work.”
And power the ball with his legs.
“He’s getting his hits in all different ways,” Black said. “He’s getting hard contact. He’s finding some holes — that’s what happens when you’re going well. Overall, the swings have been great.”
In Friday’s game, the Rockies led 2-0 in the fifth when Blackmon turned on Nick Martinez’s 92.6 mph fastball, lining it into the right-field seats for a two-run homer. Considering that Blackmon missed time during spring training as he dealt with back issues, his fast start might be surprising.
Then again, maybe not. Blackmon is a veteran who knows his game and understands his body. He figured he didn’t need a lot of Cactus League at-bats to get ready for the regular season.
“Big-league at-bats are hard to get ready for,” Blackmon said. “You can have a ton of minor league or spring training (games). But it’s never quite like going outside the wire when it counts in a big-league game. It’s hard to say, ‘Yes, for sure I’m ready’ in spring training because the intensity is just a little higher when the season starts.”
Cron named player of week. All-star first baseman C.J. Cron, who powered the Rockies to two wins against the Padres in the opening series of the season, was named the National League player of the week on Monday.
Cron, 33, hit .467 with three home runs, two doubles and seven RBIs in the four-game series. He also scored three runs and posted a 1.200 slugging percentage and a .529 on-base percentage.
In Colorado’s 7-2 opening-day win on Thursday, he launched two homers, got four hits and drove in five runs. He also homered on Saturday, becoming the eighth different player (ninth time overall) in franchise history to begin a season with at least seven hits in the first three games. Cron became the first player in Rockies history with at least seven hits and three homers in the opening three games of a season.
Pitching Matchup
Rockies RHP German Marquez (1-0, 3.00 ERA) at Dodgers LHP Julio Urias (1-0, 3.00 ERA)
8:10 p.m. Tuesday, Dodger Stadium
TV: AT&T SportsNet
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM
Marquez got the Rockies off to a good start in last week’s Opening Day in San Diego, tossing six innings of two-run ball as Colorado won 7-2 in a game where “Easy Cheese” outpitched Padres ace Blake Snell. Marquez needs to carry that momentum into his next start, in a venue in Chavez Ravine where the righty has pitched well. In eight career starts at Dodger Stadium, Marquez is 3-2 with a 2.49 ERA and 0.947 WHIP. Two quality starts to open the season would be a good omen for Marquez, who had an inconsistent 2022.
Meanwhile, Urias also opened the season strong, tossing six innings of two-run ball in an 8-2 win over Arizona. He’ll have to be careful pitching to Rockies slugger C.J. Cron, who is already off to a hot start, as Cron’s tagged the southpaw for two homers and 10 RBIs in 24 career at-bats, with a .292 average. Kris Bryant and Ryan McMahon have also homered off him.
Pitching probables
• Wednesday: Off day
• Thursday: Nationals RHP Josiah Gray (0-1, 9.00) at Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (1-0. 0.00), 2:10 p.m., ATTRM
• Friday: Nationals LHP Mackenzie Gore (1-0, 1.69) at Rockies RHP Jose Urena (0-1, 15.43), 6:40 p.m., ATTRM
— Kyle Newman, The Denver Post
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