Padres at Rockies Game Recap: Clayton Richard Gives Up Eight in Loss

The Padres hit six doubles in game one, and the Rockies answered that in game three.  In the second inning, the Rockies hit four doubles and finished with five in the game.  Clayton Richard continued to elevate the ball and was hit hard.  He pitched 5 1/3 innings, allowed 10 hits, and gave up eight runs.  His ERA jumped from the low 2’s to 5.89 on the season.

Chase Headley put the Padres on top early with an opposite field, first inning solo home run.  However, the lead didn’t last long.  In the bottom of the second, the Rockies struck for five extra base hits – four doubles and a home run.  They scored five in the inning, and all but ended the game there.

The Padres did make it interesting in the seventh.  After scoring two in the top of the sixth thanks to another Chase Headley home run, the Padres loaded the bases and scored one more in seventh.  They were within a grand slam with Chris Denorfia up, but Deno grounded out to end the inning.  The run scored in the seventh was a strange one.  With two outs and the bases loaded, Will Venable struck out, but the ball hit the dirt and got away from the catcher.  Venable reached first safely and Nick Hundley scored.

The Padres don’t seem to be struggling on offense as much as last year, but they are giving up far too many runs.  The team is averaging 3.69 runs per game through their first 13 games.  While that is not exactly lighting the scoreboard on fire, it’s not as bad as it could be.  Unfortunately, their pitching and defense – the two areas of the game in which San Diego has been sound for a number of years – have failed them.  They are allowing 5 runs per game so far in the young season.

San Diego returns home today to face the Philadelphia Phillies.  Joe Wieland will be making his second career start and looking to bounce back after getting shelled in his debut.  Vance Worley is pitching for the Phillies.  Game time is 7:05 PT.

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