Padres’ Battle Back But Fall To Rockies In Extras

May 18, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Diego Padres shortstop

(2) hits a two run home run in the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Padres 8-6 in ten innings. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Following a victory Saturday night, the Padres looked to take the rubber game of the three game series against the Colorado Rockies Sunday afternoon in Denver. After falling down early, the Padres’ battled back to tie the game up on an Everth Cabrera home run in the ninth inning only to lose 8-6 on a walk-off homer in the bottom of the tenth by Rockies Justin Morneau.

Padres’ pitcher Donn Roach was making his first start of his career filling in for ace Andrew Cashner who was placed on the 15 day DL Saturday with an elbow injury. Roach struggled allowing four earned runs and walking four in three innings before reliever Tim Stauffer managed to slow down the Rockies to give the Padres’ the chance for a potential comeback.

The Padres’ clawed their way back into the game when Rene Rivera and Will Venable drove in runs in the fourth. In addition to his RBI double, Rivera blasted his third homer of the year that drew the Padres within two going into the ninth.

Rockies’ closer Latroy Hawkins blew his first save of the season when Cabrera tied the game up 6-6 on his second home run of the season over the right field wall.

Despite the Padres’ bullpen holding the Rockies down for the most part of the game, reliever Dale Thayers full count pitch to Morneau was sent over the centerfield wall to seal the Rockies’ victory. In his post game interview,  “It was a good pitch. It was down, but it was not on the corner. I didn’t think it was going out at first. But it doesn’t surprise me it went out. He hit it hard. I just didn’t think it was high enough.”

In addition to Sunday’s loss, the Padres’ are also going to be without outfielder Carlos Quentin who is listed as day-to-day after straining his groin running from first-to-third. According to manager Bud Black, “He’s sore. It’s day to day. We’re hoping this is somewhat similar to Seth Smith‘s.”

Smith continues his hot hitting for the Padres’ knocking his second homer in as many days in the first inning with his fifth of the season.

The Padres’ will have the day off Monday before starting a two game interleague series with the American League Central Minnesota Twins on Tuesday. Starter Ian Kennedy will look to get the Padres’ back on track after dropping the series to Rockies.