PHILADELPHIA -- The first Major League hit for Brendan Rodgers, the Rockies’ No. 1 prospect per MLB Pipeline, maybe wasn’t the thunderous knock those who had been following his career in the Minors had anticipated. But for him it was a dream he had put all his effort into.

Although wishing he’d have done better than three strikeouts in Saturday’s 2-1 loss against the Phillies -- two with runners in scoring position against starter Aaron Nola -- he smiled about dashing up the line on a bouncer that charging third baseman Maikel Franco couldn’t corral in the second inning.

“That’s what I was praying for, I smelled it from a mile away. I wanted all of it, and I was busting my butt down the line, hoping something good will happen,” said Rodgers, the No. 10 overall Pipeline prospect.

His strikeouts were only a few of many missed opportunities for the Rockies as they struck out 13 times Saturday, but they came at the end of hearty at-bats for Rodgers. A seven-pitch battle in the fourth inning with runners at first and third came to an end on a Nola breaking pitch with the count full. The other, in the sixth with a runner at second, was also a seven-pitch at-bat and ended with a foul tip on another curveball.

“Actually, I saw him pretty well,” said Rodgers, who also struck out against Philly closer Héctor Neris in the eighth. “My first at-bat was curveball, curveball, then I got a fastball I should have drilled but I pulled off a little bit [but ended up with a hit]. Then I had two more good at-bats off him but he just made really good pitches. I’ve just got to win those at-bats.”