Rockies-Reds Series Grades: The offense awakens

The Rockies came just a few feet (or maybe inches) from sweeping the Reds, finally getting some consistent offensive production from up and down the lineup.

The pitching wasn’t quite as good as it has been for most of 2018, so it was a good time for the offense to pick it up for a 2-1 series win.

Here are out individual player grades for the set:

Nolan Arenado (A): With the exception of times he himself has gone even crazier with slugging and run production, it’s hard to see Arenado having a much better series than his .444/.583/.1.222 line in the set. He hit two home runs, scored four runs, and drove in three. He’s also pretty good at defense.

Charlie Blackmon (A): It’s easy to say on paper that the Rockies two best hitters should have been able to find some success against the Reds pitching, but Blackmon’s six hits (two extra-base hits) with four runs scored was still exactly what the club needed in order to start finding wins at home.

Carlos Gonzalez (A-): Four hits, all in the finale, a walk, two RBI, two runs scored and a trip down memory lane made for the best single day we’ve seen from CarGo in a while.

Tony Wolters (A-): Three singles and three walks made for a .750 on-base percentage for Wolters over his eight plate appearances in the series. He drove in a run, scored a pair, and caught both wins.

David Dahl (A-): Dahl came a few inches away from having a phenomenal series, having to settle for merely very good. He hit the ball hard with consistency as much as any player for either team in the set, collecting four hits in 14 plate appearances (.308), driving in four, scoring twice, and smashing one double-deck home run.

Ryan McMahon (B+): Called up a game into the series, McMahon tallied three base hits in eight plate appearances (.375) with a pair of doubles while showcasing more than capable defense at second base.

Chris Iannetta (B+): Iannetta had two hits in four at-bats including a double in the ninth inning of the second game that put his team on the brink of a win, though it did not materialize.

Gerardo Parra (B): Two singles and a walk amounted to a pivotal three-RBI series for Parra who remains in a good groove since returning from suspension. He is now slashing .275/.319/.379 on the year.

Trevor Story (D+): It wasn’t much of a series for Story who threw out two singles and two walks (one intentional) but did not factor into any of the scoring in his 13 appearances.

Ian Desmond (D+): He only recorded one base hit (and walked once) but it was a two-run home run that gave a much-needed cushion to a reeling bullpen.

German Marquez (A-): Other than going the distance, which rarely happens in baseball anymore, or racking up ridiculous strikeout numbers, there is much more Marquez could have done over his last two starts. His second straight outing giving up just one run over seven innings.

Tyler Anderson (B): It’s odd that it feels like a six-inning, three-run performance is underwhelming for a Rockies pitcher, isn’t it?

Jon Gray (C+): He battled with bad luck and poor execution, putting his club behind by three runs early, but he broke through in some key situations, made the necessary adjustments, and powered through six innings when it looked like he wouldn’t survive four. He struck out eight hitters and finished strong, which he hopes with roll over into his next start.