Tapia, Hilliard produce in loss

At the beginning of the shortened season, Raimel Tapia and Sam Hilliard had their eyes on crucial roles in the Rockies outfield. Neither held one down early on this summer, but with David Dahl (injured) and Garrett Hampson (day off ) out of the lineup Thursday, they both had opportunities and took advantage in the 10-8 loss to the Astros. For Tapia, who regained his starting spot during the Texas series last weekend, it meant a move up in the order to the leadoff spot for the first time this season. He produced, too, hitting 1-for-2 with a run scored and walking a career-high four times. It was the first time a Rockies player has received four free passes in a game since catcher Tony Wolters did so in September, 2018. “He’s having great at-bats,” Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado said. “He’s aggressive, but lately he’s been aggressive in the zone, so I think that’s why we’re seeing him have success. He could always hit. That’s something he’s done his whole career, so hopefully he can continue to do that and we’re going to need him for sure.” On the other end of the lineup, Hilliard went 4-for-5 with a run scored and a triple, due in part to a more patient approach at the plate. Hilliard said he hopes the first four-hit day of his young career will give him a platform to build on as the team heads to Los Angeles to play the Dodgers. “I thought he was aggressive in the strike zone,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “He didn’t chase a lot out of the strike zone, so that was good for Sam. I liked the way that he went about it today.” Hilliard, who was hitting .167 entering Thursday’s game, has struggled to carve out playing time this season. He admitted this is the first time he’s had a hard time finding a path to the field, but a renewed sense of the grind and remembering to have fun allowed him to play well Thursday. “I think it was good for my confidence,” he said. “Obviously it’s no secret I’ve been struggling a little bit early, but definitely to see some balls fall in the outfield grass like that, put a nice bunt down, and finish with a triple made me feel good.”

Rockies make roster moves. The Colorado Rockies made a flurry of roster moves ahead of their Thursday matchup with the Houston Astros. In his pregame news conference, Black announced left-handed reliever James Pazos has been optioned to the alternate training site. Additionally, Colorado put utility player Chris Owings on the 10-day Injured List. To replace them, Colorado recalled infielder Josh Fuentes from the alternate training site and reinstated catcher Elias Diaz from the restricted list. Owings is likely the most impactful loss. The versatile utility man was hitting .268 with two home runs, five RBIs and nine runs scored in 11 starts, but had been battling a sore hamstring since the Rockies’ Aug. 12 loss to Arizona. He initially avoided the IL, and started in Wednesday’s game against Houston. Black said Owings re-aggravated the injury in the ninth inning while running to first Wednesday. “Hamstrings are tricky,” Black said. “They really are. It’s just a case where going in he felt great through nine innings then all of a sudden it got him.” Pazos’ option is somewhat more expected. The lefty owned a 17.18 ERA, and had allowed seven earned runs in just 3 M innings pitched. The move leaves Phillip Diehl as the only left-handed pitcher in the Rockies’ bullpen. Fuentes, who made 24 appearances for the Rockies in 2019, hasn’t played in a game in the majors this season. In limited action, he hit .218 with three home runs and 7 RBIs last year. Diaz was reinstated from the restricted list after being placed there Tuesday for violating coronavirus protocols at the team hotel in Houston. Black would not specify what led to Diaz’s return to the team, except to say it was an internal matter. Footnotes. RHP Chi Chi Gonzalez continues to work his way back from the IL and threw a bullpen session Wednesday with simulated innings planned for Thursday.