LOS ANGELES — In the sixth inning of Tuesday night's game against the Dodgers, Rockies shortstop Trevor Story led off with a walk, setting off a chain of events the led to a precious run for a team in an offensive funk.
Story swiped second base, advanced to third on a passed ball charged to Los Angeles catcher Yasmani Grandal and scored on Ian Desmond's single through the right side. The manufactured run gave the Rockies a brief 3-2 lead. Colorado eventually lost the game 5-3, but it was further evidence that Colorado is a team intent on running when the opportunity presents itself.
"It was a big goal for me coming into this season, because I feel like I have the speed to steal bases," said Story, who was 8-for-8 on stolen-base attempts entering Wednesday night's game. "I've talked to Chuck (center fielder Charlie Blackmon) and Ian (Desmond) about how to improve.
"Reads of pitchers and getting big jumps is a big part of it. The comes from preparation before the games. It's takes a lot of work and discipline, but it's fun when it pays off, for sure."
Third baseman Nolan Arenado, sensing that the Rockies needed to improve on the basepaths this season, encouraged Story to run more.
"It's definitely something we are talking about a lot more as a team, and it's an identity we want to have, " Story said. "I feel like it puts pressure on other teams when we are aggressive. Nolan kind of gave me the idea to steal more. He kind of nudged me in the offseason and said, 'Hey, you need to steal more. That's going to help us win.' "
Last season, the Rockies couldn't get arrested for petty larceny. They swiped just 59 bases all season, second to last in the National League. They had 33 heading into Wednesday's game, fourth-most in the National League and on pace for 109 this season.
"We came into spring training with a mind-set that we had the components to steal more bases," said first-base coach Tony Diaz, the man charged with teaching the Rockies to be better base thieves. "Ultimately, the players buying into it was huge. It's been a collaborative effort."
Over the two months of the season, the Rockies' offense has been a huge disappointment. The .230 team batting average ranks 12th in the National League, and Colorado's 4.0 runs per game ranks 11th. Manager Bud Black agreed that the use of stolen bases, hit-and-run plays and an aggressive approach on the bases has been necessary to help jump start the stalled offense. Yet he added that the Rockies' plan all along was to cut loose on the bases whenever possible.
"That was going to be the case regardless of how the offense (performed)," Black said. "Trevor was motivated. Desmond is too. I think as Desi's (.223) on-base percentage increases, you'll see his stolen bases increase. It's going to be a function of our group."
Notable
Injured second baseman DJ LeMahieu took infield Wednesday for the first time since fracturing a small bone in his left hand May 13 against the Brewers. The swelling in his thumb is gone and the pain is much less severe. He hopes to take dry swings with a bat Friday. ... Right-hander Antonio Senzatela, optioned from the Rockies' bullpen to Triple-A Albuquerque on May 4, hasn't pitched in eight days because of a slight right groin injury suffered during a throwing session. Black said Senzatela's injury is not considered serious and hopes the right-hander will be back on the mound within a week. Senzatela is 2-0 with a 2.57 ERA in 14 innings over three starts at Triple-A.