On Helton's night, rookie Carrigg emulates legend with game-winning hit

DENVER – Rockies rookie Cole Carrigg marveled at Saturday’s pregame ceremony honoring Hall of Famer Todd Helton with a statue outside of Coors Field.

“He’s an amazing player and a pretty godly figure – looking at some of those numbers written on the statue was pretty incredible,” Carrigg said. “It definitely helps you to know that it’s possible, because he’s just a normal guy.

“But, yeah, he’s awesome.”

Inspired by one of baseball’s all-time greats, and a large crowd that stayed around for the game, Carrigg delivered a two-run single with the bases loaded and two outs in the seventh inning of a 5-3 victory over the Mariners on Saturday night at Coors Field.

Carrigg is only beginning to build his numbers and write his story. How well a player’s story is remembered depends on how long it lasts. How long it lasts depends on how a player survives the twists of baseball.

The winning swing, off Mariners reliever Cooper Criswell, came a day after Carrigg represented the possible tying run. He stole second with one out in the ninth inning, but he took off for third too early and was thrown out by Mariners reliever Andrés Muñoz. Mickey Moniak struck out to end the Rockies’ 98th loss of the season.

Carrigg was a key to not letting 99 happen, and to helping the Rockies to their eighth win in their past 31 games.

“It’s a huge piece for a good big league player that you need to have,” manager Warren Schaeffer said. “It needs to be pitch to pitch. But last night to today, you turn the page and you look to win a ballgame today. You can’t dwell on that [mistake on Friday], and he doesn’t.”

Carrigg’s athletic ability and his thirst for the big moment helped him on two key plays.

Veteran lefty Jose Quintana, pitching for the first time since sustaining a left elbow injury on May 24 and needing to stretch his pitch count because of a tired bullpen, was down, 3-0, with runners on the corners in the third inning when Josh Naylor launched a drive to deep right-center field. Carrigg, shaded slightly left with two strikes, chased it down and allowed Quintana to breathe again.

“That was a spot where I wanted to miss – especially when they hit the ball like that, in that count,” Quintana said of his pitch. “But it’s really a funny game. I’m really glad he’s a great outfielder and could make that play.”

Carrigg’s gift kept giving.

Quintana was able to extend to the fourth inning – 70 pitches total (45 strikes), after not throwing more than 49 in his most taxing rehab start. Nick Frasso and Juan Mejia extended to two innings apiece, and Brennan Bernardino – throwing for a rare third straight day with closer Jordan Romano “sick as a dog” according to Schaeffer – closed the ninth.

Lately, Carrigg has been in the middle of things when Colorado has either won or been in its habitual close defeats. During the current homestand, on which the Rockies are 2-4, Carrigg is 11-for-27 (.407) with three home runs and nine RBIs.

The winning hit culminated a Colorado seventh inning of well-linked at-bats – the type the Rockies have flashed at times, although not consistently enough and often not when they need them most.

“The guys did a great job of getting some runners on and loading the bases for me,” Carrigg said. “I was just trying to get a good pitch to hit and help the boys out.”