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Padres Recap 4/22/15: Padres Lose Heart Breaker in the Rockies

By Tim Richer

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The bullpen and the rotation are the backbone of this Padres team, but they were the ones that cost the Padres a win against the Rockies. Things got off to a quick start for the Padres in the first when Yangervis Solarte took advantage of the altitude and hit his second home run of the season to give the Padres a 1-0 lead, but that lead would be shortlived. Corey Dickerson responded with a homer of his own and Nolan Arenado followed that up with an RBI double. The second inning would be no better for James Shields as D.J. LeMahieu would hit a double just out of the reach of Will Middlebrooks to put the Rockies up 3-1 after two.

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After that, though, James Shields turned on cruise control. The final four innings he pitched he dominated the Rockies hitters, allowing just one hit while striking out three. He could have gone deeper, but he was lifted for a pinch hitter in the top of the seventh.

The Padres offense started to heat up as Shields did too. Wil Myers got it going with a solo shot to cut the Rockie lead to one in the sixth. Then in the seventh Yonder got the rally started with a one out single followed up by a game tying double by Derek Norris. Middlebrooks had a chance to give the Padres the lead, but Troy Tulowitzki made a fantastic play to rob him of hit. Then after a walk to Alexi Amarista, Cory Spangenberg entered the game as a pinch hitter and delievered a double to give the Padres a 4-3 lead.  Myers tried to add on two more, but like his fellow Will, he too was robbed of a base hit, this time by Nolan Arrenado.

Dale Thayer pitched a scoreless seventh and handed off the ball to Joaquin Benoit. The ever reliable Benoit was beaten, like Shields, by Corey Dickerson who hit his second home run of the game to tie the score at four. He would get out of the inning without allowing any further damage. Then the game was put in Shawn Kelley‘s hands and he did what he’s done all season, give away the game. He loaded the bases with just one out and Daniel Descalso hit a single to left to send the Rockies fans home happy.

All things considered this wasn’t a horrible game for the Padres. Shields struggled early, but rebounded and the offense found a way to battle back once again. What held the team back was Benoit and Kelley. Benoit I’m not concerned about. Home runs at Coors are going to happen and he has a very good track record. Kelley on the other hand is worrisome. He’s now allowed runs in three of his six outings. After a less than stellar 2014 and Kevin Quackenbush and Nick Vincent in AAA, the leash on Kelley is likely getting shorter and shorter.

WP: Ottavino (1-0)

LP: Kelley (0-2)

The Padres continue their series with an early start against the Rockies tomorrow at 12:10 PM. Tyson Ross (1-0, 4.08 ERA) will take the hill for the Padres, taking on Colorado’s Jordan Lyles (1-1, 3.50 ERA).

Next: Ellito Morris Spotlight

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