MLB Game Preview - Colorado at Arizona

Thu Jun 20, 2019 3:40 PM EDT

The Colorado Rockies will try to set a couple of team records when they attempt to complete a three-game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday afternoon in Phoenix.

Colorado has won seven in a row against Arizona, matching the best streak in franchise history against the D-backs, set in 2004.

"You gotta keep pounding away at things. We're grinding against this team," Arizona manager Torey Lovullo told reporters after his team's 6-4 loss Wednesday. "They're a good team, but they have beaten us seven games in a row. I'm taking that kind of personal."

Another record in reach: Colorado has six consecutive games with at least 12 hits, also tied for the longest streak in franchise history.

The Rockies, who lost their first two meetings against Arizona this season, have banged out 26 hits in winning the first two games of the current series. On Wednesday night, they roughed up Diamondbacks ace Zack Greinke, who gave up five runs and 11 hits -- his most since also allowing 11 hits on April 25, 2016.

"These guys can hit," Lovullo said of the Rockies, who lead the majors with a .273 batting average. "They hit mistakes. They are up there free-swinging. You put a ball in the zone and make a mistake, they are going to make you pay for it."

Colorado has won 17 of the past 21 meetings against Arizona, dating to last July.

The Rockies, however, figure to be without shortstop Trevor Story, who jammed his right thumb on a headfirst slide into second base on Wednesday night. X-rays were negative, but manager Bud Black told reporters that Story would undergo more tests Thursday.

"We're hoping for the best," Black said. "It's sore. He's going to get an MRI and some other scans to see exactly what is happening."

The Diamondbacks will look to turn the tide against Colorado behind left-hander Robbie Ray (5-4, 3.83 ERA), who is 1-1 against the Rockies this season. He has given up 10 runs (five earned) in 10 1/3 innings in two starts vs. Colorado, allowing 14 hits while striking out 13 and walking seven.

For his career, Ray is 4-5 with a 5.57 ERA in 14 starts against the Rockies.

Colorado will counter with right-hander Jeff Hoffman (1-3, 7.04 ERA), who is coming off his best outing of the season. He gave up three hits and one run in five innings against the San Diego Padres last Friday, when the Rockies' bullpen imploded in a 16-12 loss.

Closer Wade Davis is a concern. He earned his ninth save Wednesday, although he gave up a solo home run to Kevin Cron before finishing off the win. He has allowed runs in each of his past four outings, including two blown saves in the previous series against the Padres.

Rockies second baseman Ryan McMahon hit a go-ahead two-run double in the seventh inning on Wednesday, and he also had a big two-run double Tuesday.

He is 12-for-23 in his past five games.

"Using the whole field; hitting the ball where it's pitched," Black said of McMahon. "He's swinging with confidence. He's playing a complete game."

Arizona's Ketel Marte went 3-for-5 Wednesday, giving him multiple hits in four consecutive games and seven of his past nine.

--Field Level Media