LeMahieu coming through in clutch situations

SAN DIEGO -- Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu has become a weapon in run-scoring situations. Before Wednesday night's game against the Padres, which he didn't start, he was batting .538 (7-for-16) with two doubles with runners in scoring position.

LeMahieu entered Wednesday batting .289 overall. The ability to produce in run-scoring situations is especially important because of where LeMahieu bats in the order. Pitchers often try to entice the No. 8 hitter to chase outside the strike zone for misses or weak contact.

"He's a very reliable player," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "That sounds somewhat generic but that's a great compliment in this game, to say that a guy's a reliable player. That's what he is. On both sides of the ball, in any situation, I just feel comfortable that the situation is never going to be too big for him.

"He's got the ability to slow down the game and take an at-bat, or slow down the game and turn a tough double play. He performs well because he's able to control his emotions and control the situation."