Díaz on homer streak, but Rockies fall in 10

DENVER -- When he found out about it, Elias Díaz appreciated the record he set Friday night. He is the first Rockies catcher to homer in four straight games in a single season.

But scouring the records was not foremost on Díaz’s mind after the Rockies went from one run up with two outs in the ninth to seeing their win streak snapped at four games in a 9-3, 10-inning loss to the Cardinals in front of paid attendance of 47,224 at Coors Field -- the first sellout since the ballpark returned to full capacity this week.

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In addition to owning the Rockies’ top single-season homer streak for a catcher, Díaz tied Charles Johnson’s club record for consecutive games with a home run by a catcher over any span. Johnson did it from Sept. 28, 2003 to April 9, 2004.

In part because closer Daniel Bard and setup man Carlos Estévez had been used heavily recently, manager Bud Black handed the one-run lead over to rookie Justin Lawrence in the ninth inning. The right-hander had two outs and two strikes on José Rondón before giving up a game-tying RBI single and blowing the save.

Talking to Lawrence was Díaz’s priority.

“It’s just understanding the situation,” Díaz said in Spanish, with bullpen catcher Aaron Muñoz translating. “He looked a little emotional, a little amped up. But the biggest thing I was telling him was he’s going to be in that situation, ‘So keep your head up.’”

Black’s plan with Lawrence and Yency Almonte, who recently pitched his way back into favor but on Friday absorbed a six-run 10th that included Harrison Bader’s grand slam, is to let them learn, even if it’s painful. In Lawrence’s case, he has just 10 2/3 Major League innings.

Díaz can tell Lawrence about hard lessons.

The Rockies entered the season expecting greater offense at catcher, especially from Díaz, who had shown offensive potential with the Pirates from 2015-19 and with the Rockies late last season when he began receiving regular playing time. But while Díaz is certifiably hot -- .406 (13-for-32) with five homers over his past 10 games -- the hot streak has merely brought his season batting average to .203.

Díaz was putting on a show in batting practice, but not in games.

“There were some at-bats over the last couple months where hit the ball on the nose and had nothing to show for it,” Black said. “We saw the at-bats becoming increasingly more solid. He was taking his walks. He was swinging at strikes and taking balls.

“And now he's super-timed up on the breaking ball and is timed up on the fastball. And hitters will tell you when they're seeing the ball well, and on time, they’re going to square the ball. That’s what we’re seeing.”

Díaz was solid at his main job Friday -- calling pitches for starter Chi Chi González through seven innings of two-run ball.

As the night ended, he had a chance to appreciate his place in Rockies history.

“I’m very happy and grateful after working so hard to contribute offensively,” Díaz said.