Padres Offensive Production a Mile High

Jul 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; San Diego Padres third baseman Chase Headley (7) runs after hitting a RBI triple in the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

After a disheartening series loss to the Giants, there’s no better way to rebound than to score – a lot.

The team racked up double digit hits in the extreme hitter’s park that is known as Coors Field, yet managed all their runs without a big fly in the Padres 6-1 victory. Stepping up first was the new call-up Brooks Conrad, who delivered a sac fly for his second RBI on the year. After a homer to Drew Stubbs knotted the game at one in the fourth, the offense got rolling and never looked back. Rene Rivera laced a double to left to score Tommy Medica. Following him was Cameron Maybin, who added an insurance run by launching a loooong double with two outs that just barely missed leaving the yard.

Three more runs came in the seventh, two thirds thanks to a Chase Headley triple and the rest covered by a Carlos Quentin sac fly.

And for as dominating as the bats were (still feels weird to say that even with the hot streak) Ian Kennedy was equally lights out. He electrified the rain-soaked grass in Colorado, striking out nine in seven strong innings of work. He allowed just four hits, and the only blemish in the box score came off a mistake to Stubbs.

Finishing up the pitching duties were Kevin Quackenbush and Tim Stauffer, who combined for two shutout innings in their shutdown performances. The bullpen remains a strength for the Padres, maintaining the second best ERA at 2.48, just 0.01 behind the first place Mariners.

On the flip side of things, Tyler Matzek was worse than the weather tonight, giving up five of the six runs against his team in six innings. He brings his ERA on the season up to 4.79, and his dismal performances have some wondering if he will soon be back on the bus to the minors.

This is another win where everyone came out to play. The big guns fired away, the role players did the scrappy work and the pitching was lights out. A textbook win for the Friars, and one that leaves hope that there’s more to this team than they showed in the first half. Playoffs may be a stretch, but a strong second half performance will save Bud Black‘s job (could be good or bad depending on where you stand) but more importantly makes the light at the end of the losing seasons just that much brighter.