Despite team’s recent troubles, Daza stays red-hot, is hitting .383
Searching for a silver lining to the Rockies’ recent struggles sends you straight toward outfielder Yonathan Daza.
Finally getting consistent playing time, Daza has taken full advantage. He hit 2-for-5 with two RBIS Sunday in the Rockies’ 8-7 loss to Kansas City.
Daza, who started in center field and made a beautiful sliding catch in the fourth inning, extended his career-best on-base streak to 13 games. He’s riding an eightgame hitting streak that ties the longest of his career.
“I feel amazing,” he said. “I just try to go out there and have fun and do what I need to do. I’m not thinking about homers, I’m just putting the ball in play.”
Daza, 28, is hitting .383, and he has an incredibly low 6.1% strikeout rate. He hasn’t hit a home run in 174 at-bats, but he’s certainly providing quality at-bats.
“There are times in the past when we have seen Daza chase, but he’s not (now),” manager Bud Black said. “He’s laying off balls and he’s getting hits.”
Bryant’s rehab. Injured outfielder Kris Bryant, out since April 26 with a sore lower back, took batting practice on the field Sunday. He was scheduled to fly to Salt Lake City on Sunday eve
ning and then play for Triple-a Albuquerque on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Rockies have an off day on Thursday, and Black said he hopes Bryant will be ready to play against the Mets next weekend at
Coors Field.
Footnotes. Second baseman Brendan Rodgers went 2-for-5 and is hitting 17-for-46 (.370) with two home runs, five doubles and 13 RBIS through 11 games in May.
His .378 batting average this month is the fifth-highest in the majors (minimum 45 at-bats). … The Rockies’ one-run loss on Sunday was their first of the season. They were 5-0 in one-run games entering the day.