DETROIT ¨C All discussions about Rockies veteran catcher Jacob Stallings begin with his pitch-calling, even if the subject is legitimately something else -- like the two key doubles he delivered in Thursday¡¯s 4-2 victory over the Tigers.

¡°Yeah, and a great job behind the plate,¡± manager Bud Black said when asked about the hits.

Rookie Seth Halvorsen, after saying a baseball from his first career win -- courtesy of a hard-throwing, no-fuss eighth inning -- would go into his father¡¯s extensive collection of key moments, described Stallings¡¯ influence.

¡°Obviously, just the experience and ability that he has makes it great to be able to throw to him,¡± Halvorsen said.

How about starter Ryan Feltner? Although he finished with a no-decision, it was his second impressive start on the Rockies¡¯ 4-5 road trip. Feltner -- who gave up just three hits in 5 2/3 innings in the series finale -- said working with Stallings lessens his tendency to overthink in key areas, such as sequencing pitches.

¡°I would like to point out that the only times I¡¯ve given up runs the past two games have been pitches that I¡¯ve shaken [off of],¡± Feltner said. ¡°In Milwaukee, it was a slider to a righty, down the first-base line. Today, it was the [Spencer] Torkleson curveball [a two-run double in the fourth].¡±

But, for all the praise of his back-stop abilities, Stallings won this one with his bat.

Stallings¡¯ one-out double off reliever Brenan Hanifee in the seventh inning set up Charlie Blackmon¡¯s game-tying infield single. In the top of the ninth, after Brendan Rodgers¡¯ single off Jason Foley, Stallings¡¯ hit to right field took a bounce that eluded Matt Vierling and became the go-ahead RBI double. Nolan Jones replaced Stallings as a pinch-hitter and scored on Jake Cave¡¯s sacrifice fly.

Stallings is batting .260 with eight home runs and 34 RBIs in 74 games this season -- a dramatic improvement from last year with the Marlins, when he hit .191 with three homers and 20 RBIs in 88 games. Others are quick to compliment the rest of Stallings¡¯ game. The 34-year-old, who entered Thursday 1-for-7 on the road trip, has learned to give his own hitting the same grace.

¡°I feel pretty good,¡± Stallings said. ¡°Even on days that I go 0-for-4, I try to keep perspective: ¡®Did I execute my plan? Did the pitcher just make good pitches on me?¡¯ I¡¯ve been a little nicer to myself in that regard, not so hard on myself.

¡°It¡¯s easier when you¡¯re getting results. My execution has been good all year. There have been some days where the pitcher just beats me or I¡¯ve beat myself, but overall I¡¯ve been really consistent.¡±

Will Stallings continue the two-way growth in a Rockies uniform? Logic suggests so.

The Rockies went bargain hunting for an experienced backstop to share time with 2023 All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Elias D¨ªaz. Stallings, who won a Gold Glove with the Pirates in 2021 but was looking to regain his footing, signed for $1.5 million this year. There is a mutual option for a $1.5 million salary next year, or a $500,000 buyout. The contract is structured so there is room for further negotiation at the end of the season.

The Rockies released D¨ªaz in August to clear room for the club¡¯s No. 8 prospect Drew Romo. Colorado also recalled Hunter Goodman, who is primarily a catcher -- although he started in right field on Thursday.

One roster scenario for 2025 is Romo and Goodman competing for one spot, with a veteran holding the other. Stallings doesn¡¯t mind sharing a clubhouse with both on the September expanded roster.

¡°It¡¯s just helping them understand that the struggles of the big leagues are going to come, whether it¡¯s behind the plate or at the plate, and the guys who are most consistent are most consistent mentally,¡± Stallings said. ¡°Just be nice to yourself. The game is so much faster up here, especially for a catcher.

¡°When I first got called up I was completely overwhelmed. It was Sunday Night Baseball, Wrigley Field against the Cubs, and they were World Series winners. I had no idea what I was doing. I was 26. They¡¯re 23 and 24 [years old] -- and Romo just turned 23.¡±

Another could be to bring in another veteran to pair with Stallings. Either way, Stallings has a solid two-way year on his baseball card.

¡°I¡¯ve loved my time here -- the coaches, front office, everybody has been so good to me and helped me feel really confident in myself,¡± Stallings said. ¡°Those guys gave me a chance this year when I wasn¡¯t sure [that] I was going to get a big league deal.¡±