MLB Game Preview - Colorado at Cincinnati
Sat Jul 27, 2019 7:10 PM EDT

TB
9
TOR
10
F(12)
LAD
9
WSH
3
F
NYY
5
BOS
9
F
DET
1
SEA
8
F
ARI
9
MIA
2
F
ATL
15
PHI
7
F
PIT
0
NYM
3
F
COL
1
CIN
3
F
CHC
3
MIL
5
F(10)
MIN
1
CHW
5
F
HOU
8
STL
2
F
CLE
9
KC
1
F
SF
1
SD
5
F
TEX
4
OAK
5
F
BAL
8
LAA
7
F
Reds aim to shut down Rockies' hot bats
Sat Jul 27, 2019 3:15 AM

Colorado Rockies first baseman Daniel Murphy has faced little resistance in the first four contests of the season series against the Cincinnati Reds.

Murphy will look to keep the Reds under his thumb on Saturday when the visiting Rockies bid to secure a series victory.

The 34-year-old veteran belted a three-run homer in the first inning and added a bases-clearing double in the ninth to record his second career six-RBI performance in Colorado's 12-2 romp on Friday.

Murphy, who also had six RBIs versus the New York Mets on July 31, 2018, is a staggering 10-for-17 (.588) with four doubles, three homers, 11 RBIs and seven runs in four games against Cincinnati.

"I can't put a finger on it," Murphy said of his dominance versus the Reds. "If I could, I would try to replicate it against the rest of the league. I usually have a lot of family here at Great American Ball Park from down in Louisville, and knowing that I have more of my career behind me than in front of me, it's nice to play in front of your family."

Speaking of fingers, Colorado manager Bud Black was quick to point out that Murphy is feeling better since fracturing his left index finger earlier in the season.

"He made a comment about two weeks ago to me about his finger, and it was sort of subtle, but that he feels as though he's normal again," Black said. "It takes awhile. ... He probably came back (too soon), because he was capable of playing but the injury was lingering a little bit."

Murphy will aim to keep his hot hand versus Saturday starter Anthony DeSclafani (5-5, 4.12 ERA), against whom he is 7-for-15 (.467) with four extra-base hits (three doubles, homer) and five RBIs.

DeSclafani absorbed the loss Sunday in a 3-1 setback to the St. Louis Cardinals despite recording a career-high 11 strikeouts. He gave up two runs (one earned) in six innings.

The 29-year-old owns an 0-1 mark with a 5.25 ERA in two career starts against Colorado.

DeSclafani will need to keep a keen eye on Charlie Blackmon, who collected three hits, two RBIs and two runs in the series opener.

Blackmon is riding a seven-game hitting streak during which he is 13-for-30 (.433) with four doubles and a homer. The 33-year-old is 3-for-7 with a triple and two RBIs against DeSclafani.

Colorado is expected to summon right-hander Chi Chi Gonzalez (0-2, 5.14 ERA) from Triple-A Albuquerque for his fourth start of the season on Saturday.

Gonzalez, who last pitched for the Rockies on June 30, owns a 4-5 mark with a 6.10 ERA in 16 appearances (15 starts) with for Albuquerque.

The 27-year-old has yet to face Cincinnati, although he has flustered Yasiel Puig (0-for-4) in a small sample size.

Josh VanMeter highlighted his three-hit performance on Friday with his third homer in his past four starts.

Rookie Nick Senzel sat out the series opener after learning that the dizziness that forced him to exit the Wednesday game against the Brewers was not a symptom of vertigo.

"I feel a lot better than I did in Milwaukee," the 24-year-old center fielder said. "They think I grew up with some bad allergies and that in certain places my allergies trigger that (dizziness)."

Senzel sat out a month last season with Triple-A Louisville because of vertigo.

--Field Level Media

Team Record Comparison

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

Scheduled Starting Pitchers

Chi Chi Gonzalez - MIA
Matchup
Season
vs. Opp Has not pitched vs. Cincinnati
Anthony DeSclafani - MIN
Matchup
Season
vs. Opp Has not pitched vs. Colorado

Hot Batters (Last 10 team games)

Injury Report

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