CLEVELAND — As the Rockies continue to juggle the bottom half of their lineup, looking for sparks of promise from struggling sluggers, the top half has been set in place. The linchpin is Gerardo Parra in a surprising spot.
Parra, hardly a slugger in the traditional sense, with 71 career home runs in nine seasons, has taken over the cleanup role in Colorado’s top-heavy lineup, one spot behind Nolan Arenado and just ahead of Mark Reynolds.
Parra’s eight home runs this season are not necessarily a threat to clear the bases, but his .