Charlie Blackmon loves baseball like an 8-year-old kid, works out with the energy of a teenager and views the game through the eyes of a gnarly veteran.
All of those characteristics were on display Monday afternoon at sun-splashed Coors Field.
Blackmon, who turns 38 on July 1, hit a three-run homer and two doubles and drove in four runs to lead the Rockies to an 8-6 victory over the Cleveland Guardians. As a reminder that he’s still got something left, “Chuck Nazty” made a sliding, shoetop catch in foul territory in the sixth inning to retire Cleveland’s Kyle Manzardo.
Blackmon’s playing time has been reduced this season as the Rockies look to build a younger outfield, but like a bushy-bearded Boy Scout, he’s always prepared.
“The assignment has changed a little bit, I guess you could say,” Blackmon said. “That doesn’t mean it’s any less important. It just means I need to not be surprised in certain situations and be ready to go when it’s my turn to play. I also need to try and be a little bit more consistent when I do get out there.”
Manager Bud Black said, “Nothing Charlie does surprises us. I can’t count how many times I’ve said this. He comes every day, prepared. He’s as routine-oriented as anybody I’ve ever been around. And he’s all about competing and doing his part to help us win the game.”
After winning a weekend series against Philadelphia, owners of the best record in the National League, the Rockies cooled off baseball’s hottest team.
The Guardians, who entered Monday with the best record in the AL, came to Denver riding a nine-game winning streak. It was their longest streak since Aug. 24-Sept. 14, 2017, when the club set the American League record with 22 straight victories.
While Blackmon took center stage, the game’s co-star was lefty reliever Josh Rogers, who was called up from Triple-A Albuquerque before the game and provided the Rockies with five solid innings. He was charged with two runs on four hits.
“We needed that,” Black said. “He was the key to the game. Obviously, Charlie did his part with the big three-run homer to give us a 7-4 lead. Those two guys carried us today.”
Rogers picked up his first major league win since May 14, 2022, vs. Houston when he pitched for the Nationals. He turned in the longest relief appearance by a Rockies pitcher since Chi Chi Gonzalez tossed five innings on Sept. 21, 2021, at Dodger Stadium.
“I’ve been working really hard the last year and a half down in Albuquerque,” Rogers said. “It’s not an easy place to play, obviously. Neither is it here. But just to be back was humbling.
“I’ve just been trying to get better, every single day. And I got on a good little run down in Albuquerque and I feel so fortunate to be back in this clubhouse.”
When left-hander Austin Gomber was scratched before the game because of arm soreness, Colorado started Anthony Molina, the Rule-5 draft acquisition. But Molina was gone quickly, giving up three runs on two hits and three walks in 1 2/3 innings. Enter Rogers, who provided some much-needed bullpen stability.
Colorado’s breakout inning was the six-run fourth. It sent nine men to the plate and got a two-run single from Elehuris Montero, immediately followed by Blackmon’s three-run, line-drive homer to right. It was only Blackmon’s second homer of the season and his first in 114 at-bats, dating back to April 8.
Blackmon added an RBI double in the sixth, scoring Sean Bouchard, who walked and stole second.
Blackmon’s four RBIs are a season-high and his most in a game since driving in four runs on Sept. 2, 2021, vs. Atlanta. It was Blackmon’s 15th career game with at least three extra-base hits, moving him past Nolan Arenado for the second-most in franchise history behind Hall of Famer Todd Helton, who had 16.
“One thing I know when I go back and watch video, and watch myself play is that that day, that’s the best I was going to be,” Blackmon said. “I was ready to produce on the field when I went out there.
“I think it’s important for everybody to approach the game in such a way that they can say, ‘ I’m ready to be evaluated, this is my product and I want to do the best that I can.’ ”
Tuesday’s pitching matchup
Guardians RHP Triston McKenzie (2-3, 3.44 ERA) at Rockies RHP Ryan Feltner (1-4, 5.07)
6:40 p.m. Tuesday, Coors Field
TV: Rockies.TV (streaming); Comcast/Xfinity (channel 1262); DirecTV (683); Spectrum (130, 445, 305, 435 or 445, depending on region).
Radio: 850 AM/94.1 FM
The Rockies love Feltner’s high-velocity fastball and his potential, but he remains a work in progress. His last start was a step forward. Although the Rockies lost at Oakland when the bullpen imploded, Feltner pitched six scoreless innings, allowing four hits and two walks. He struck out six. Feltner is winless in his last seven starts. Feltner has faced the Guardians once, on April 25 of last season. He pitched a terrific game: six scoreless innings, five hits, six strikeouts and no walks.
McKenzie was not sharp in his last start. He gave up three solo homers (five hits overall) and issued five walks against the Mets. He struck out five. It was the first time in seven starts that McKenzie allowed more than two earned runs. He entered the game with a 2.10 ERA over his prior six starts. The right-hander has faced the Rockies just once, but he dominated them, picking up the win when he allowed one run on seven hits across six innings. He fanned six and walked one.
Pitching probables
Wednesday: Guardians LHP Logan Allen (4-2, 4.91) at Rockies LHP Ty Blach (1-2, 4.55), 6:40 p.m.
Thursday: Off day
— Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
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