Ian Kennedy Strong Early in San Diego Padres Loss to Colorado Rockies

Andrew Fielding-USA TODAY Sports

Padres Starter Ian Kennedy faced the minimum 15 hitters through his first five innings Thursday, but surrendered three runs in the seventh as San Diego fell 3-1 to the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park.

Working with a 1-0 lead, Kennedy(1-3) allowed a Nolan Arenado double to start the top of the 6th, then retired the next three batters. The string ran out in the seventh for Kennedy however.

After a one out double from Corey Dickerson and a walk to Troy Tulowitzki set the table, Justin Morneau doubled home the tying run with one out. A ground out from Wilin Rosario brought in the go-ahead run. Arenado then singled to drive home Morneau and push the final margin to two runs.

Kennedy finished his fourth start with three runs allowed on four hits with two walks and seven punch outs over seven innings.

San Diego took the lead in the bottom of the fourth when Xavier Nady hit a lead off home run. Nady, who hit clean-up for the second day in a row, now leads the team with three home runs on the season.

In a game that took just 2:48, offensive chances were few and far between for both teams. Franklin Morales got the start for the Rockies and held the Padres to four hits and a walk while striking out five in six innings of work. San Diego could not solve the Colorado bullpen either, grounding into inning ending double plays in the eighth and ninth innings.

Thursday’s offensive woes are not unique for the Padres sixteen games into the season. They are averaging 2.8 runs per game. The picture is even more bleak however when it comes to their losses in April. San Diego scored two or fewer runs in eight of their nine losses this season.

Friday the Padres open up a series with the San Francisco Giants. Matt Cain(0-2, 4.00) goes for the Giants while Tyson Ross(1-2, 3.12) makes his fourth start for the Padres. First pitch is 10:10.