Potential Deadline targets Grichuk, Suter turn heads in finale

MIAMI -- The Rockies’ 3-2, 10-inning loss Sunday afternoon at loanDepot park can be blamed on too many strikeouts -- 16, including a career-high 13 by Marlins lefty starter Jesús Luzardo.

A midgame relief performance from Brent Suter and a game-tying ninth-inning homer from Randal Grichuk provided the Rockies with a chance to sweep the three-game series and file the result under learning experiences.

However, if all goes as expected for a Rockies team building for the future, the examples Suter and Grichuk set on Sunday will be lessons left behind. The Trade Deadline is in nine days, and the pair -- along with several other veterans -- figure to be dealt. The Rockies need immediate help, but are just as well off with developable Minor League players, and clearer opportunity for young players.

Nothing is certain. The Rockies have been Deadline wallflowers the last couple of years, although injuries to -- or struggles of -- tradeable players uncannily occurred at the wrong times. This Deadline appears different.

Suter, 33, is 4-0 with a 2.62 ERA in 33 relief appearances. Grichuk, 31, is batting .302 with six homers -- four this month.

Others who are known to be available and attracting interest are first baseman C.J. Cron, who homered in Friday’s series opener but rested a stiff lower back the last two games; lefty reliever Brad Hand, who pitched a scoreless eighth on Sunday; righty reliever Pierce Johnson, who took the loss on a Luis Arraez bases-loaded single in the 10th; and outfielder Jurickson Profar, who went 4-for-13 with a homer in the series.

Suter and Grichuk don’t know what will happen. They see a team that is struggling at 39-60, but learning.

“There’s talent,” said Suter, who replaced Connor Seabold in a tie game with runners at first and third, retired two of the three batters he faced on strikeouts and gave up only Yuli Gurriel’s sacrifice fly. “There’s chemistry. There are resources. There are great people.

“It’s there all day. I’ve been a part of contending teams [with the Brewers], and this team has a lot of those ingredients. We’re just missing a couple of pieces that will get that loss turned into a win.”

Grichuk drove in the go-ahead run in Saturday’s come-from-behind, 4-3 victory, and took A.J. Puk deep after falling behind 0-2 and working the count full on Sunday.

The last two games of the series showed the ability to hang through a dominating starter performance (Johnny Cueto in the middle game). Saturday, rookie Nolan Jones homered the team into a late tie. Sunday, rookie Brenton Doyle pierced Luzardo’s dominance with his homer.

“I hope everyone is learning that you don’t always start the game good as an individual, but you always have a chance to impact the game late in tight games like that,” Grichuk said.

Suter and Grichuk have shaken off injuries.

Suter was part of a bullpen day that started with Ty Blach’s three scoreless innings after not pitching since July 1. Suter was making his second appearance since missing a month with a right oblique strain.

“There are still some cobwebs, but I feel fresh and my movements are pretty crisp, and overall the command is better than it was that struggle stretch in June,” Suter said. “Mentally, I feel my cup is way full in terms of performance juice, if you will.”

Grichuk, who missed the first month after offseason sports hernia surgery, missed much of the Rockies’ last homestand with a left groin tightness, but ran the bases aggressively through the series.

“Mentally, it’s still not 100 [percent],” Grichuk said. "But physically I’m probably closer to it. It’s good enough to make some plays, sliding, diving. Going into a powerful take [holding up a swing] was a little question mark, but I did it day one and I’ve done it since.”

Both players are staying in the moment. Suter dealt with uncertainty last year with the Brewers, who waived him in the offseason before the Rockies claimed him.

“Last year, I felt a little ‘trade-y,’ but I had in the back of my mind, ‘We’re a contending team and I have my role here,’ so I didn’t see it as a big possibility,” Suter said. “This year it’s a little different with me being a free agent at the end of the year. I’m kind of at their mercy if you will but I feel grateful to be here and be healthy again.”

Grichuk said: “I’m just trying to have a good season and this is part of the season. I enjoy my time here, enjoying it with these guys and trying to make adjustments and be as consistent as I can be.”