McMahon, Rockies walk off Padres in eventful evening

DENVER – Third baseman Ryan McMahon crossed into a new career stage with the Rockies, but insisted he didn’t feel any different.

After Sunday night’s trade that sent first baseman C.J. Cron and outfielder Randal Grichuk away for prospects, McMahon took the field against the Padres on Monday with the second-most Major League games of anyone in the Rockies’ lineup. By Tuesday, he may take the top spot.

But if you’re going to be the lineup’s experienced graybeard at a still-young 28, you might as well do veteran things. McMahon homered in the sixth, then delivered a bases-loaded, 10th-inning sacrifice fly to secure a 4-3 victory over the Padres in a game that was delayed two hours, 20 minutes at the start, and had action worth the wait.

When it was over, only after the Rockies escaped loaded bases in the top of the 10th, McMahon mainly hoped for sleep – because it was a late hour for anyone, not because he had morphed into a father figure.

“I don’t think of it like that,” said McMahon, who is hitting .355 over his last eight games. “I don’t think there needs to be anything different. We just need to go out there and do what we do, keep playing and keep growing in this game.”

McMahon was clutch, not only with timely offense but with solid defense at third, in his 707th Major League appearance (all with the Rockies). Jurickson Profar, who started in left field, was in his 929th. But with the Trade Deadline approaching at 4 p.m. MT, there is a possibility that Profar’s 930th will be with another club.

On Sunday, Cron and Grichuk were sent to the Angels. Weeks earlier, Mike Moustakas was sent to the Angels. The deals were for pitching prospects, not veteran leaders.

With Charlie Blackmon an injury rehab assignment away from returning to the lineup and Kris Bryant out with a left index finger injury, McMahon is the position player who has done and seen the most.

Blackmon is in the last year of his contract and he and the team have a decision to make after the season. McMahon is in the second year of a five-year, $70 million contract.

It’s possible that behind Bryant – who is trying to shake the injury bug that has infected the first two years of his seven-year, $128 million deal – will be the greybeards. The team is young enough that Brendan Rodgers, who had a single in his return from a shoulder injury that kept him out until Monday, is a lineup leader.

“It’s something that ‘Mac’ has talked about the last couple of years, taking on a role on this team after he signed his contract and made his investment in the Rockies and our future,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “He’s really doing a great job as far as leading by example, through his everyday work, from when he comes through the clubhouse doors to when he leaves, when he goes on the road trips.

“It’s everything. It isn’t just one segment of the day. It’s the whole everything. He’s embracing that.”

But McMahon was less concerned Monday with status than opportunity.

On Sunday, he came through by driving in both runs in a 2-0 victory over the Athletics. Monday, again, he made the most of his chance to deliver.

“That’s what everybody wants to do,” McMahon said. “Everybody wants to come through for their teammates. This is a really humbling and hard game. You’re not always going to be able to come through. But when you’re able to come through, it definitely feels good.”

Younger teammates refused to be humbled Monday.

Rookie center fielder Brenton Doyle made a running catch of a Fernando Tatis Jr. drive to deep center to save Austin Gomber (six innings, two runs) from third-inning trouble, and made a pinpoint throw to the plate to retire Juan Soto in the eighth. Second-year man Elehuris Montero singled, doubled and walked. He also delivered a hard-shouldered slide into third to dislodge the ball from third baseman Manny Machado at the start of the Rockies’ 10th.

“It’s definitely different,” McMahon said. “I’m going to miss those [veteran] guys. They’re really good guys. I really appreciate everything that they did for me and for the team, and just who they are as people. But I’m excited for the guys who have come back. We all know what ‘B-Rod’ can do, and it’s always fun having him in the lineup.

“I’m excited to get to finish out the stretch.”