The Rockies were also 12-20 in one-run games last year for a .375 win percentage, third worst in the Majors, and they lost six games when leading after eight innings, tied for third worst. Colorado hired Black in part because of his experience managing at Coors Field when he was the Padres' skipper from 2007 through early '15.
Yet, as Black alluded, the margin between best and worst in one-run games isn't nearly as imbalanced as one might assume. Twenty clubs finished within five games above or below .500 in one-run games in 2016.
"You'll find that most teams, it's pretty close," Black said.