The difficulties of life are never far from the heart of Rockies rookie left fielder
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The Rangers invited Hilliard’s parents \\-\\- Jim and his mother, Tamara, and his fiancé, Kat Minnerly -- to exhibition games and the regular-season opener at new Globe Life Field. It was no small undertaking, considering that fans aren’t allowed in ballparks because of the pandemic. But Hilliard delivered his hits in the presence of Piscotty, a confidant in the real-life struggle.\n\n“We actually got to meet in Spring Training at his family’s golf tournament that they host with Brandon Crawford of the Giants,” Hilliard said. “They’re really great people. I’ve heard nothing but good things about them. I know my mom and my parents are kind of in contact with his dad.\n\n“I’ll maybe say what's up tomorrow, and go from there.”\n\nWhat was up Tuesday was Hilliard’s ability to drive the ball where it is pitched. He took a curve from A's starter David Mengden the opposite way to left for his double. Mengden then hung a curve, and Hilliard crushed it into the right-field seats. One swing led to the other.\n\n“I definitely like to pride myself on being able to go all over the field,” he said. “I know whenever I start hitting balls to left field like that -- pretty hard for power, off the wall or for a home run or anything like that -- that’s when I start feeling good. I know my swing is getting in the right spot.”\n\n**Senzatela’s steps** \nRighty
**More late arms?** \nIt’s not just that the Rockies bullpen has given up only two runs in 13 2/3 innings. It’s the indication that two more pitchers may be ready for late-game roles that leaves manager Bud Black encouraged.\n\nIn Sunday afternoon’s 5-2 victory at Texas, righty