NEW YORK -- Rockies outfielder David Dahl has been one of the club’s most consistent hitters this season. After going 1-for-4 with an RBI in Sunday's 6-1 loss to the Mets, Dahl has hit safely in 18 of the last 21 games.

Manager Bud Black noticed that Dahl is playing the game with confidence.

“I think he is letting the game come to him,” Black said. “Yet he is playing aggressive, both on defense, on the bases and at the plate. It’s a combination of being poised, but yet aggressive. It’s a great spot to be in as a player.”

But the biggest key is that Dahl has stayed healthy. The previous two seasons, he missed a lot of action because of various injuries, such as a broken right foot and a stress reaction to his rib cage.

What is Dahl doing to stay on the field this year?

“I worked out really hard this offseason. [I did the] Keto diet to get my body feeling good. Then I added some healthy carbs. I feel like I gained some good weight and good muscle,” he said.

“[Dahl] had a good winter as far as his offseason workout program,” Black said. “There was some emphasis on weight gain and he did that. He continues to properly train in-season with our strength guy. There is a nutrition component that he is staying on top of as well.”

Rockies tidbits

After Sunday’s loss, the Rockies are 33-31, 10.5 games behind the Dodgers in the National League West.

Rockies manager Bud Black said he would like to see the pitching improve, beginning with his starters going deeper in games. The Rockies are next to last in the National League in pitching with a 4.95 ERA.

“When you go deeper in games, you are giving up less runs. That means you are doing well,” Black said.

• Ian Desmond didn’t steal his first base this season until Saturday against the Mets. Before this year, Desmond averaged 17.8 bases a season over the last 10 years. Black didn’t seem concerned that Desmond hasn’t been running as much.

“I think a lot of it has been circumstance, for sure. He ran a couple of times and the hitters fouled balls off or put balls in play,” Black said. “I also think clubs are wary of our speed, so they are doing a better job of controlling the speed game on their end. Going forward, you will see more stolen bases from Desmond.”