4/15/14 Game Preview: Colorado Rockies v San Diego Padres

The Padres scored twice in the 8th inning Monday without getting a hit. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Padres and Rockies battle it out in Game 2 of their season-opening series Tuesday night after a thriller Monday night, which the Padres took 5-4.

Youngster Robbie Erlin is slated to face Juan Nicasio.

Erlin is coming off his first start of the season, where he recorded the victory against the Indians last week while pitching 6 innings, allowing one run, and striking out six.  His continued development would be a huge boost for the Padres both this year and for the future.  With Josh Johnson still a few weeks out from injury and Eric Stults struggling some early, getting productivity from the 5th spot in the rotation would bode well for a good April.

Nicasio has made two starts with two different results.  One was a dominant outing against the Diamondbacks in their home opener.  The other one he couldn’t find the strike zone and lost to the White Sox, giving up 4 in 5IP.  The Rockies pitching staff isn’t the most stable right now, and their bullpen looks even less so.  If their starters can’t pitch deeper into games, this team is in trouble.  Certainly losing Brett Anderson last weekend for 4-6 weeks was not what they wanted to hear.

The month of April is officially halfway over.  After Monday night’s win, the Padres sit with a record of 6-7 and 3 games out of first place.  The Rockies, in similar fashion, stand at 6-8 and 3.5 games out of first place.

The Rockies must be very happy with the their offense so far.  Charlie Blackmon has exploded so far the first two weeks and sits at a .478 average.  Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez are both still healthy!

Game 1 went to Padres, as they came back from 4-0 to cut the deficit to 4-3 in the 5th.  In the 8th, they quickly put runners on first and second via walks with no outs to get the crowd excited again.  New multi-million dollar man Jedd Gyorko came up, ready to prove the contract was a good idea – and flew out.  After the second out, Chase Headley made fans shake their heads with another line out.  Then, the magic happened.  Yonder Alonso walked to load the bases.  Then, with Yasmani Grandal batting, Rockies pitcher Rex Brothers threw a wild pitch.  One run came in easy, but as Seth Smith continued running from second, Rockies backstop Wilin Rosario overthrew Brothers coming home, Tulo couldn’t do the barehanded pick-up and Smith scored all the way from second!

Huston Street worked a nice and easy 1-2-3 inning to wrap it up.

The Padres are riding some momentum after winning their first series over the weekend against Detroit, with stand-out performances from Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross.  Throw in Monday night’s win, which has to be considered their best yet, and things are certainly moving in the right direction.  Plus Andrew Cashner already pitches again tomorrow night.

The fun starts at 7:10pm tonight from Petco Park!