Rockies-Padres Player Grades: A big divisional road series win

After a lackluster series in Arizona where the Colorado Rockies were only able to claim one narrow victory, the boys in purple headed for San Diego for a bit of inter-divisional revenge.

The 3-1 series win was highlighted by bounce-back performances from starting pitchers Jon Gray and Tyler Anderson and some clutch hits in key at-bats. Here are our individual player grades for the four-game set:

DJ LeMahieu (A-) (Last Series: C) – LeMahieu led the Rockies in batting, going 6-for-15 (.400) with four runs scored, four walks, and three RBI including the game-winning two-run single in Thursday’s finale.

Charlie Blackmon (A-) (Last Series: B+) – Fresh off the signing of his new six-year extension, Blackmon was right behind LeMahieu in average, batting 7-for-18 (.389) with five runs scored, two doubles, a home run, and three RBI.

Ian Desmond (B+) (Last Series: B-) – Playing the role of the third amigo in San Diego was Ian Desmond who came through with four hits in 13 at-bats (.308) and five runs driven in, including two on a dagger of a home run in the second game.

Gerardo Parra (C+) (Last Series: C-) – Parra only managed two base hits against the Padres. But he walked three times, scored three runs and made a spectacular, potentially game-changing catch in the final contest that remained a shutout until the ninth.

Nolan Arenado (C-) (Last Series: C-) – The best player on the team is still waking up the bat a bit, going just 2-for-12 in the series, though, of course, they came when it mattered most, tallying four RBI. He also walked five times and made a patented special defensive play at third base.

Carlos Gonzalez (D+) (Last Series: C-) – CarGo went 3-for-14 with just one RBI and one run scored but also made an amazing diving catch. Otherwise, it was a mostly uneventful series for Gonzalez.

Trevor Story (D+) (Last Series: F) – Story came up with three hits, including a key two-run RBI double and also cut down on the strikeouts, whiffing just three times and walking three times.

Chris Iannetta (D) (Last Series: B-) – The Rockies catcher wasn’t as sharp as he was in Arizona getting a pair of RBI singles in the game Colorado lost. Those were his only two hits in 11 at-bats.

Jon Gray A- (Last Series: D) – Gray made his second start of 2018 with a vengeance. He absolutely dominated, pitching seven scoreless innings, striking out seven batters, and refusing to issue even one single free pass. The only thing more a manager or fan could ask for is two more innings.

Tyler Anderson B+ (Last Series: D-) – Similarly, Anderson couldn’t have done much more to get back on the right track. He ran into some trouble in the seventh and was wisely lifted after six innings pitched. Like Gray, he gave up only four hits and didn’t walk anybody. He struck out four.

Adam Ottavino A- (Last Series: A-) – Otto hasn’t slowed down yet. He threw three innings, giving up just one base hit and zero walks, striking out four. The guy is just in the zone right now.

Wade Davis B+ (Last Series: B+) – The Rockies closer did give up a home run to Manuel Margot but went 3-for-3 in save opportunities, securing each win. He walked one and struck out two.

Chad Bettis B- (Last Series: N/A) – Bettis didn’t light the world on fire with his five innings, two-run performance, but when you consider the lack of command he had on his fastball, the fact that he kept his team in the game for an eventual win is borderline miraculous.

Jake McGee C+ (Last Series: B) – McGee looked a bit more human in this series, giving up a pair of runs, though only one earned.

Kyle Freeland C (Last Series: N/A) – Freeland’s final line looked worse than how well he pitched, a few runs coming in after he left the game. He did manage 5.1 IP, which was the most for any starter this season at the time, and struck out six guys, ultimately allowing four runs on five hits. He mostly fell victim to the uber-hot Christian Villanueva who hit three homers in that game. 

Scott Oberg D- (Last Series: N/A) – Oberg made one appearance, inheriting runners at third and second with one out. Both runs scored and he was hit hard in every at-bat, failing to notch a strikeout.