Trevor Story’s web gem, long homer are lone highlights for Rockies – The Denver Post

Trevor Story put on a show Saturday night in Philly.

The Rockies’ shortstop turned in one of the best defensive plays of his career and also hit a 441-foot home run. Those two moments were the highlights of Colorado’s 6-1 loss to the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

In the first inning, Philly’s Jean Segura rocketed a one-hop shot that Story somehow snagged with a diving grab. Then Story spun around and, from his backside, threw a one-hopper to first base to nip Segura.

“He saved my (butt),” Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Freeland said.

Added manager Bud Black: “That was an outstanding play. That ball was smoked. He made the play from his seat and had enough on the throw to get the runner. Great play.”

Story’s two-out solo homer in the sixth traveled 441 feet and landed in the second deck. It was his 21st homer of the season. After an 0-for-24 drought, Story has hit 14-for-48 (.292) with five homers, three doubles and two triples over his last 13 games.

Silver slugger? If, as expected, the National League adopts the designated hitter beginning in 2022, this will be the last season for starting pitchers to hit on a regular basis. German Marquez isn’t thrilled about that, but he’s going to go out swinging.

The right-hander hit an RBI single Friday night to give him seven RBIs this season. Entering Saturday’s play, Marquez ranked second among pitchers in RBIs, trailing only Dodgers lefty Julio Urias (eight). Marquez also ranked second among National League pitchers with a .245 average (minimum 40 plate appearances). He trailed Atlanta right-hander Max Fried.

“It would be fun to win the Silver Slugger again,” Marquez said. “You guys know that I love to hit. I love to get on base.”

Marquez was awarded the 2018 NL Silver Slugger after hitting .300 (18-for-60) with five RBIs and a .650 OPS.

Lambert update. Right-hander Peter Lambert is making steady progress as he returns from last year’s Tommy John surgery. Friday night, in his sixth rehab start, Lambert struck out four over three innings for Double-A Hartford.

Black said there is a chance Lambert will pitch for the Rockies this season but will likely make two or three more minor-league starts before that.

“We both were on the team bus today, and I brought him into my office when we got to the ballpark here in Philadelphia. Peter feels good,” Black said. “I want him to feel like a regular pitcher; like he’s not rehabbing anymore. I’d like him to (put) the surgery and rehab behind him, so he’s just concentrating on being a pitcher. And I think he’s to that point mentally.”

Footnotes. Outfielder Sam Hilliard departed Saturday’s game after getting hit by a pitch in the elbow in the second inning. Black said that Hilliard’s elbow was sore and starting to swell but did not think it was a major injury. … Right-hander Robert Stephenson was reinstated from the paternity list Saturday. He’s been one of Colorado’s best relievers in the second half of the season, posting a 2.45 ERA in 14 appearances since returning from a five-week stint on the injured list on Aug. 4. He was on the IL due to upper back tightness. … To make room for Stephenson, Colorado optioned struggling lefty Ben Bowden to Triple-A Albuquerque.

On Deck
Rockies RHP Ryan Feltner (0-1, 20.25 ERA) at Phillies RHP Aaron Nola (7-8 5.57)
11:05 a.m. Sunday, Citizens Bank Park
TV: ATTRM
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM

Feltner is coming off a rough big-league debut, giving up six earned runs — including three home runs — in 2 2/3 innings. The right-hander, 25, made the jump from Double-A Hartford directly to the Rockies, bypassing a stop at Triple-A Albuquerque. He was excellent in the minors this season, going 8-3 with a 2.62 ERA, 125 strikeouts and 20 walks over 20 starts between High-A Spokane and Double-A Hartford. In his 13 Double-A starts, he was 5-2 with a 2.85 ERA, 80 strikeouts and 22 walks. After a solid August, Nola has struggled in his two September starts. He allowed three runs in five innings in the Phillies’ 10-0 loss at Milwaukee on Tuesday night. He needed 92 pitches to get through those five innings. Nola has been very good at Citizens Bank Park, posting a 3.33 ERA in 12 starts. His opponents are hitting just .219/.258/.357 in Philly. Nola’s strikeout-to-walk ratio at home is 8.55, which leads the majors. In five career starts vs. Colorado, he is 4-0 with a 3.06 ERA.

Trending: Trevor Story and C.J. Cron hit back-to-back home runs in the seventh inning Friday night against the Phillies, marking the second game in a row that two Rockies players went back-to-back. Ryan McMahon and Sam Hilliard did it in the ninth inning Thursday night at Philly. The Rockies’ have hit back-to-back homers nine times this season, tied for the most in the National League with San Francisco.

At issue: Set-up man Daniel Bard continues to struggle against left-handed hitters. Bard, who lost his role as closer early this month, is allowing lefties to slash .345/.422/.664 with seven homers, 13 doubles and two triples.

Pitching probables
Sunday: Rockies RHP Ryan Feltner (0-1, 20.25) at Phillies RHP Aaron Nola (7-8 5.57), 11:05 p.m., ATTRM
Monday: Off
Tuesday: Rockies RHP Chi Chi Gonzalez (3-7, 6.50) at Braves Touki Toussaint (3-2, 4.11), 5:20 p.m., ATTRM

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