McMahon leaning on “less is more” approach at the plate

For Ryan McMahon, less is certainly more.

McMahon, who’s emerged as Colorado’s everyday second baseman over the past month, was reminded of the importance of that idiom for him once again following his 0-for-12, nine-strikeout series in San Francisco earlier this week.

“I’ve got to forget that series and focus on what I’ve been doing to have success,” McMahon said. “The simpler I keep it, the less I try to do, the more I end up doing. I need to go up there and do too much, not try and hit homers. I think I was trying to do that a lot last series.”

The 24-year-old is hitting .248 with six home runs and 34 RBIs this year. With Thursday’s start at the keystone position for the series opener against the Dodgers, McMahon has started a dozen straight games there, and 16 out of the last 18.

That doesn’t figure to change anytime soon, with Garrett Hampson (20 starts) still finding his footing with a .202 average, Brendon Rodgers (13 starts) currently on the 10-day injured list with a right shoulder impingement and Pat Valaika (five starts, .050 average overall) a likely candidate to be optioned back to Triple-A Albuquerque upon the return of Trevor Story.

Story nearing return.

Speaking of the all-star shortstop, after resuming swinging yesterday with tee work and short toss in San Francisco, the 26-year-old completed his full pregame routine on Thursday. That included hitting in the cage and live batting practice.

“I’ve progressed really well it, and faster than we thought,” Story said. “We’ve been treating the heck out of it. I love where I’m at.”

He’s eligible to return from the injured list on Sunday, although manager Bud Black said not to count on seeing him in the lineup for the series finale against Los Angeles.

A minor-league rehab stint is probably in order.

“In all likelihood, he might go out and play a couple games,” Black said. “We will determine that when we start to get a little closer.”

Pitcher hitting eighth.

Black’s batted the pitcher eighth three times in games at National League parks this season, but twice in a row now with Peter Lambert in that spot and Hampson eighth for Thursday’s game. Wednesday in San Francisco, German Marquez batted eighth and Hampson ninth.

Black said Hampson’s wheels, which are among the fastest in all of baseball, are driving the lineup wrinkle.

“With Hampson, we like the fact it gives us some speed coming back around as the lineup turns over,” Black said. “It makes sense if you look at the lineup from a circular perspective.”

The solid offensive showings thus far by defending N.L. Silver Slugger Marquez (.229 with 10 RBIs this season) and the rookie Lambert (.625, two RBIs) factored into Black’s decision as well, but he noted “it’s more about Hampson.”

“If he plays (Friday), he’s probably going to hit ninth again,” Black said.