Joe’s legend grows as Rockies head to L.A. to face Dodgers
The Rockies’ ongoing feelgood story opens in Tinsel Town Friday for a three-game set against the mighty Dodgers.
Yep, “The Legend of Connor Joe” just keeps getting better, adding scenes that even a Hollywood screenwriter might reject as too corny.
Joe, the Rockies’ 29-year-old left fielder who battled testicular cancer last year and spent a good chunk of time in the minors this season, hit the first grand slam of his career Wednesday night at Chicago’s Wrigley Field. The slam helped the Rockies snag a much-needed 13-10, 10-inning win over the
Cubs in the nightcap of a doubleheader.
“Dude, he’s so good,” said third baseman Ryan Mcmahon, who eventually clinched the game with a two-run homer in the 10th. “I think he’s an amazing baseball player. The at-bats that he takes are extremely professional.
“You almost felt the one coming; a 3-1 count, he’s been swinging it so good. That one was huge. He put us right back in this game. I’m always happy for Connor. He’s the man. He’ll remember his first trip to Wrigley, for sure.”
Added manager Bud Black: “Kudos to Connor for his continued play. It’s been great.”
How great? Since his recall from Triple-a Albuquerque on July 20, he’s hitting .320 with eight home runs, six doubles and 27 RBIS in 28 games. With runners in scoring position — the statistical expression of clutch hitting — Joe is batting .405.
Overall, as a starter, Joe has reached base in 31 of the 35 games he’s played, posting an on-base percentage of .376. With Raimel Tapia on the injured list with a strained big toe, Joe has been hitting leadoff — and thriving in that role. He’s hitting .288 with five homers and a .394 on-base percentage.
Joe doesn’t appear to be letting success go to his head.
“I am trying to be the same guy every day I show up to the park, wherever I am in the lineup, (or) if I am going to be coming off the bench that day,” Joe said Wednesday night. “It’s been nice to get in a routine and be in the leadoff spot every night. I’m really grateful for that opportunity.
“I think I’m just trying to do the same thing I have always done my whole career and that is to get on base and produce runs whether I am scoring them or driving them in.”
Black is not easily impressed by inexperienced players, but he continues to give Joe strong reviews.
“He’s been giving us good atbats,” Black said. “That’s sort of the continuation of what we have been talking about since he’s come back. All of the statistical numbers you see? It’s in order. That was a huge swing that we needed and he came through.”
Closer trouble. Hard-throwing right-hander Daniel Bard is struggling.
Monday night, in a 6-4 loss at Chicago, he gave up a two-run, walk-off homer to Rafael Ortega. Wednesday night, in the second game of the doubleheader, Ian Happ hit a wind-blown, three-run homer off Bard to send the game into extra innings.
Bard, who has seen his ERA jump to 5.19, has a 9.39 ERA in nine appearances in August.
“He’s in one of those closer’s slumps,” Black said. “We’ll talk about it a little bit to see what’s going on.”
Black, however, gave Bard a bit of a pass regarding the homer he gave up to Happ.
“In all honesty, the only park that that ball goes out in is Wrigley Field — with the wind blowing out,” Black said. “But hey, that’s baseball. It happens. It’s Wrigley Field.
“No excuses from Daniel and he’ll tell you the same thing. But it happened. He would much prefer to get a groundball for a double play. I don’t what to say we’ll get back to the drawing board with Daniel, but he’s in a closer’s slump, no doubt.”