The big boys in the National League West — the Giants, Dodgers and Padres — are going to slug it out for the division title over the final two months of the season.

The rebuilding Rockies, meanwhile, are hunting for little victories.

Such was the case during their 4-6 road trip that ended Sunday with an 8-1 loss at San Diego. For a team that entered the trip with a 9-34 road record, it was a step forward.

"Overall we were in almost every game, though this one was an exception," manager Bud Black said. "I like the fact that the home run showed up on the road."

Counting Sam Hilliard's solo home run on Sunday, the Rockies hit 18 homers on the 10-game road trip. Second baseman Brendan Rodgers and catcher Elias Diaz both hit four and Hilliard hit three.

In their first 43 road games, Colorado hit a total of 25 home runs.

Good day, Goudeau. Right-hander Ashton Goudeau, acquired from Cincinnati on Thursday, pitched three innings of relief, allowing one run on one hit with three strikeouts. He relieved starter Austin Gomber, who struggled and was lifted after the first inning.

Goudeau also recorded his first career hit in his first career at-bat. With his third-inning single off Reiss Knehr, Goudeau became the first Rockies pitcher since Peter Lambert in 2019 to accomplish that feat.

"Honestly, I felt pretty comfortable because I was taking batting practice with the Reds," he said. "When he threw that 1-1 slider, I didn't see it all. I figured I looked so bad on the first one that I was going to get another one. I was able to stay on that one a little bit and get the barrel to it."

More important for Goudeau was his performance on the mound.

"It was good to come back, good to be in purple again and good to keep the team in the game at the time," said Goudeau, who's been designated for assignment eight times in the last year and is in his third career stint with the Rockies.

Footnotes. Garrett Hampson entered the game as a pitch hitter in the seventh inning and then played third base in the bottom half of the inning. It was the first time he'd ever played third at any level of pro baseball. Black said the Rockies want to get Hampson playing time at all positions to see what he can do. … Left fielder Raimel Tapia sat out his second consecutive game because of a sprained big toe. … Third baseman Ryan McMahon was also unavailable Sunday. He's been dealing with leg soreness.

On Deck

Rockies are off on Monday

Trending: Second baseman Brendan Rodgers hit 1-for-3 Sunday, extended his career-best hitting streak to nine games. He's hit safely in 11 of 13 games since the all-star break. His home run on Saturday night was his fourth over his last six games.

At issue: First baseman C.J. Cron has been a streaky hitter all season. That trend continued on the 10-game road trip when he finished 5-for-30 (.167) with no home runs and 10 strikeouts.

Pitching probables

  • Monday: Off
  • Tuesday: Cubs RHP Zach Davies (6-7, 4.39 ERA) at Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (1-6, 4.52), 6:40 p.m., ATTRM
  • Wednesday: Cubs RHP Alec Mills (4-4, 4.55) at Rockies RHP Jon Gray (7-6, 3.62), 6:40 p.m., ATTRM
  • Thursday: Cubs RHP Jake Arrieta (5-10, 6.20) at Rockies TBD, 1:10 p.m., ATTRM