Dickerson takes advantage of everyday at-bats

PITTSBURGH -- Rockies left-handed-hitting outfielder Corey Dickerson appears to be finding his footing in the Majors.

The 24-year-old hit .386 with nine home runs and 41 extra-base hits at Triple-A Colorado Springs before a June 21 promotion to the bigs. But after 15 games with the Rockies, many as a reserve for the first time in his career, he had a .202 average and wound up back in Colorado Springs.

The Rockies recalled him on July 27, and in his first six games, he went 5-for-12 (.417) with a home run and two RBIs. Dickerson, who is ranked by MLB.com as the club's No. 8 prospect, was back in the lineup in left field Friday against the Pirates after going 1-for-3 with an RBI sacrifice fly Thursday against the Braves.

Not only did Dickerson start consecutive games for the first time, but he also had a chance to face right-handed pitchers -- Julio Teheran on Thursday and the Pirates' Gerrit Cole on Friday. Both are good, young arms, but Dickerson was in a comfortable position.

Because left fielder Carlos Gonzalez hasn't started the past two games with a right middle finger strain and right fielder Michael Cuddyer has missed the past two games due to a family situation, Dickerson has had a chance to be in the lineup.

"I've felt good every time I've started and to be able to start twice is a good thing because I can get a rhythm going," said Dickerson, who said he spent time developing a pinch-hitting routine during his first stint in the Majors. "That's when you see quality at-bats from players. It's hard to pinch-hit, but you've just got to take that role on.

"Just to see right-handers up there is good. I feel good up there, confident, relaxed. This is my second go-round, and I feel a lot more comfortable."