MLB Game Preview - Colorado at Arizona
Wed Jun 19, 2019 9:40 PM EDT

HOU
2
CIN
3
F
PHI
2
WSH
6
F
TB
1
NYY
12
F
BAL
3
OAK
8
F
MIL
7
SD
8
F
KC
2
SEA
8
F
DET
7
PIT
8
F
PHI
0
WSH
2
F
LAA
11
TOR
6
F
NYM
2
ATL
7
F
CHW
3
CHC
7
F
CLE
10
TEX
4
F
BOS
9
MIN
4
F
MIA
1
STL
2
F(11)
COL
6
ARI
4
F
SF
2
LAD
9
F
Rockies' Blackmon chases history in Arizona desert
Wed Jun 19, 2019 4:10 AM

Colorado outfielder Charlie Blackmon will be chasing history when the Rockies play at the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix on Wednesday night.

Blackmon has rapped out at least three hits in five consecutive games, becoming the 12th player in the major leagues since 1901 to do so -- and the first since the Houston Astros' Jose Altuve did it in July 2017.

Blackmon needs another three-hit game to tie the major league record of six in a row, set by Jimmy Johnston of the Brooklyn Robins (June 1923) and matched by the Kansas City Royals' George Brett (May 1976).

"The beauty of Charlie is the consistency, day in and day out," Rockies manager Bud Black said on MLB.com. "That's one of Charlie's strengths, what he does each and every day to prepare to play. He's one of the best I've seen. When you're in a good spot, Charlie is able to maintain it."

Blackmon is 18-for-29 in the past five games, improving his batting average from .305 to .341.

On Wednesday, Blackmon will have to contend with Arizona ace Zack Greinke (8-2, 2.65 ERA), who faced the minimum through six innings in his last start, against the Washington Nationals on Thursday. He ended up allowing two hits in 7 1/3 innings before leaving the game because of a 1-hour, three-minute rain delay.

Greinke does not have a decision in two starts against the Rockies this season despite quality starts in each outing. The right-hander gave up three runs in six innings in an 8-7 loss on May 5, and he was better on May 27, allowing one run in six innings in a 4-3 defeat. Both games were on the road, and Greinke did not get a decision in either contest.

For his career, Greinke is 12-6 with a 3.71 ERA in 32 appearances (31 starts) against Colorado.

Blackmon is hitting .269 in 67 at-bats against Greinke, who will be challenged by a hot lineup from top to bottom. The Rockies, who won 8-1 on Tuesday night in the opener of the three-game series, have scored 56 runs in the past five games.

Moreover, Colorado has won six consecutive games against Arizona, which has fallen to 14-17 at home while going 24-19 on the road.

"I can't explain it," Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said of the home/road records.

"This is our home field. We have to take care of business at home. Every good team takes care of business at home. I don't even know even know what our record is at home. I am imagining it's not very good based on what I have been hearing over the past couple of days, but we'll figure it out."

The Rockies will send out right-hander Jon Gray (6-5, 4.38), who is coming off his first career relief appearance after 103 career starts. On Sunday -- his scheduled bullpen day -- he entered with two outs and a runner on third in the ninth with the Rockies tied with the San Diego Padres at 13.

The Rockies intentionally walked the next two batters to load the bases, and then Gray walked pinch hitter Matt Strahm to bring in the go-ahead run. San Diego won 14-13.

Gray opposed Greinke on May 27, throwing 5 1/3 innings and yielding five hits and two runs in a no-decision. Gray is 2-3 with a 5.15 ERA in eight career starts against the Diamondbacks.

--Field Level Media

Team Record Comparison

Team Standings GB W-L Aw/Hm Stk L10
Colorado            
Arizona            

Scheduled Starting Pitchers

Jon Gray - TEX
Matchup
Season
vs. Opp Has not pitched vs. Arizona
Zack Greinke - (N/A)
Matchup
Season
vs. Opp Has not pitched vs. Colorado

Hot Batters (Last 10 team games)

Injury Report

--%>