Padres Look To Take Rubber Game Of Series With Rockies

Eric Stults looks to win a series with Colorado Wednesday. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The Padres need a win tonight to win their last series with the Rockies before the All-Star Break. Last night, Tyson Ross delivered yet another terrific pitching outing that should have gotten him a win, but he was denied and the Padres lost 2-1. His only mistake was a low pitch that Rockies lead-off hitter Charlie Blackmon deposited into the right field seats for a two run home run. Rene Rivera got one back for the Padres with his own home run, but the Padres were unable to score again despite getting runners in scoring position each of the last three innings.

In Wednesday’s matinee at  12:10 pm PDT, it is Eric Stults versus Rockies newcomer Jair Jurrjens. Stults has pitched quite well his last several starts. Despite the 1-4 record, he has 20 strikeouts in 29 1/3 innings, 2 quality starts, and an ERA of just 3.38. Last Friday, he pitched 7 strong innings of shutout ball for the win against the Giants.

Normally, I would say going to Coors Field is the worst thing for him, but last night Franklin Morales turned around what had been a very bad season to only allow one run himself, so you never know.

Jurrjens is the question mark. He made the All-Star Team for the Atlanta Braves back in 2011, but he has really struggled since . In his first start for the Rockies, it did not bode well for the future either. He allowed 8 runs in just 4 1/3 for the loss and two long balls. He is still just 28 years old, but knee injuries and lost velocity have cost him time at the major league level. His best year was 2009, when he made 34 starts and went 14-10 with a 2.68 ERA. For a pitcher looking to rebound, Colorado seems like a rough place to try it.

After Colorado, it’s 4 games against the Dodgers before the All-Star Break.