Cron not shying away from the pressure amid career year

DENVER -- Too often this season, the Rockies’ chances to score have come down to C.J. Cron making it happen. Even when he does his job -- such as Tuesday night, with a towering solo homer in the sixth inning and a two-run double in the eighth -- the Rockies don’t win, because others aren’t producing.

Cron’s RBIs accounted for the team’s only runs in a 6-3 loss to the Giants at Coors Field. But there is a whole offseason to examine the reasons for the probable last-place finish in the National League West. Why not take a little time to celebrate Cron’s career year?

The homer off 6-foot-11 Giants right-hander Sean Hjelle was Cron’s 29th this season -- one shy of his career high with the Rays in 2018 -- with 14 games left. The three RBIs brought his total to a career-best 101, becoming the first Rockies player since Nolan Arenado in ‘19 to knock in 100 or more runs.

“It’s pretty cool, something I can look back on and be proud of,” Cron said. “RBI, it’s kind of a team stat. I think it’s [the] guys in front of me giving me opportunities. And being in the middle of the order, I had the chance to drive [them] in more often than not.”

The importance of RBIs on a player’s personal résumé was not lost on manager Bud Black.

“I don’t know why that is -- this game is about scoring runs, right?” Black said. “Everybody talks about run production and runs scored from a team standpoint. But there are players who are expected to drive in runs. You look at the good teams, then you look at the players on those teams. And you look at the RBI tools, and those are usually pretty good players. For me, it’s a huge stat that I think is overlooked.”

The analytics-tinged view of modern baseball doesn’t credit the hitter as it once did. While Cron acknowledges his teammates’ role in the runs he’s knocked in, he believes there is skill to handling an at-bat differently when there are runners on base.

“I change my approach a bit -- I think you have to, especially if you want to drive in runs,” he said. “That’s kind of my job. You have to use the field a little bit more. You’re going to be pitched a little bit different with runners in scoring position, so I have to adjust.”

It was difficult to overlook Cron on Tuesday, when the Rockies managed little else offensively. Rockies starter Kyle Freeland held the Giants to three runs (two earned) on five hits in six solid innings, but he left with his team trailing, 3-0, on a night Colorado couldn’t manage more than those three runs.

Ideally, Cron’s bat would be one of many consistently producing runs in the Rockies’ lineup. Having Kris Bryant for just 42 games this season because of back and foot injuries gave Cron one less big-bat partner, and not many others have emerged as potential catalysts for this offense.

Even Cron’s bat has buckled under the weight of responsibility. He has slashed just .215/.280/.380 since the All-Star break after slashing .298/.350/.552 in the first half, which earned him his first All-Star selection.

“That’s our job in the middle -- to put pressure on ourselves, and it’s our job to drive in runs,” Cron said. “It’s not the best feeling, not doing your job. I probably put a little bit too much pressure on myself. But I wouldn't have that any other way.

“I feel comfortable with guys on base. The pressure is on me, but the pressure is also on the pitcher. And I understand that, and he has to throw me something to hit. I take pride in it.”