Consistent Charlie still key Rox contributor

Charlie Blackmon is spending 2021 solidifying his status as one of the most accomplished players in Rockies history -- No. 3 on the franchise’s hits list, with the second spot within a couple decent months’ reach. But much of that is about the past. He has also embraced the present -- which is a tough haul.

Blackmon did his part again during Saturday’s 9-8 loss to the Cardinals -- one marked by the Rockies putting themselves within reach repeatedly, only to see the Cardinals hold on. He went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a walk.

The Rockies had erased a four-run deficit in the fifth, with Dom Nuñez's three-run double tying the game at 5. Blackmon’s eighth-inning, two-run single brought the difference to 9-8, but after Mychal Givens escaped a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the frame, the Rockies were unable to draw even.

The hits are finally coming for Blackmon -- 14-for-40 (.350) in the past 11 games. He endured early-season tribulations of ill-timed swings or solid balls hit at defenders. Blackmon wants to keep his confidence even in the absence of results, and his clear-eyed process is an example to a team that fields more inexperienced players than ideal.

There were issues, of course. Starter Chi Chi González had a chance to redeem himself from iffy early location early, but he gave up a two-run homer from Paul Goldschmidt immediately after Nuñez tied the game. And while the offense was far better than in Friday night’s 5-0 defeat, the Rockies went 3-for-14 with runners in scoring position and didn’t take full advantage of the Cards’ six walks.

Blackmon is balancing the good with the bad in hopes it will tilt to the side he wants.

“It’s important, and one of the things I like to do is really lock in on things somebody did well,” Blackmon said. “Like Dom Nuñez -- great double in the gap with two outs, runners in scoring position. What an at-bat for him to drive those runs in and tie the game today. That was really awesome. And [Alan] Trejo, coming off the bench and being part of the reason that we had a chance to win that game.

“It’s just an at-bat here or there. It’s one of those things that sometimes seems trivial. But it’s a big deal to that player. It’s a big deal to the Rockies. Without those little things, you don't have a chance to win the game. So I think it's important to point out those small successes and stay positive.”

Saturday’s lineup demonstrated the Rockies’ need for leadership and perspective. The top four hitters -- Raimel Tapia (2-for-4, walk, RBI), Ryan McMahon (first-inning RBI double) and Trevor Story (double during the fifth-inning rally and walk in the eighth) are established Major League regulars, even with Tapia, 27, and McMahon, 26, on the younger side.

As for the rest of the lineup, Garrett Hampson is in his first year as a regular. Being without veteran first baseman C.J. Cron the last two games because of back soreness (the Rockies will evaluate him Sunday and possibly Monday) hasn’t helped the experience level.

“Sometimes it’s a borderline two-strike pitch,” Blackmon said. “Sometimes it’s that the pitcher missed his spot but it was still an effective pitch -- little things that sometimes go unnoticed. It helps teammates to talk about it for a couple of reasons. I’m asking questions. Maybe it’ll help me out, and I think it shows that you are interested in what other people have going on, too.”

Blackmon finished the day at .228, easily the high-water mark of his slow start. While his struggles aren’t the reason the Rockies are 12-21, it’s clear they can’t turn things around without him.

“We talked last week about him not being on time, behind the fastball and ahead of the breaking ball,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “Looks like he’s squaring up fastballs. He’s recognizing breaking balls, staying back and hitting those, as well.

“So, three hits today, some good swings over the last four or five days lead me to believe that Charlie's seeing the ball well. He’s getting his foot down and he's putting a good swing on the ball because he's on time.”

While trying to lead a transitioning squad, Blackmon can step back and appreciate how he has withstood the test of time with the Rockies. His 1,334 hits are second in club history (27 behind Hall of Famer Larry Walker, with Todd Helton leading at 2,519). He surpassed Carlos González with his hit on Friday night.

“Honestly, I had no idea until McMahon told me yesterday in the locker room,” Blackmon said. “But that’s cool. ‘CarGo’ is such an unbelievable player -- kind of a Rockies icon, and I got to play with him for so long. And I've seen him be so good. So it was really cool for me to be mentioned in the same sentence."