Padres at Rockies Game Recap: Defense Sinks Team Again

The Padres got a solid pitching performance from Anthony Bass, but could quite give him the run support they showed for Cory Luebke.  Bass went five innings, allowed four hits, and gave up three runs.  It wasn’t enough though as Jamie Moyer had enough in the tank to become the oldest Major League pitcher to earn a win.

At 49 years old, Moyer pitched seven strong innings and allowed just two runs.  He only struck out one, and he gave up six hits, but it was enough.  The Padres pulled to within one run when they scored their two runs off Moyer in the seventh.  However, they couldn’t quite pull to a tie or take the lead.

In the bottom of the eighth, Mark Kotsay dropped a misplayed and wind-blown fly-ball to left.  The error lead to two more Rockies runs, one of which was unearned, which proved to be the difference in the game.  Nick Hundley hit an opposite field solo home run in the ninth, and the Padres managed to get runners on first and second with one out.  Jason Bartlett then flew out to left, and Yonder Alonso struck out.

Chris Denorfia had a career game in the loss.  He went 4 for 4 with a run scored.  The outing raised his average to .409.  Mark Kotsay also continued his hot-hitting – at least against Jaime Moyer.  Kotsay had a first inning single against the veteran and improved his overall average against Moyer to close to .600 in his career.  Kotsay would finish 2 for 3.

Despite the Padres out-hitting them and striking out 12 times in the game, the Rockies did just enough to avoid two straight losses to San Diego.  Willin Rosario had a big game for Colorado.  He broke the scoreless tie in the third-inning with a two out, two strike, two run home run.  The Rockies would add another run in the fourth and the two insurance runs in the eighth.

San Diego finishes up the series in the rubber match tomorrow night at 6:40 PT.  Clayton Richard will take on Juan Nicasio.

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