Poor At-Bat Cost Friars Opportunities

June 26, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres second baseman Logan Forsythe (11) looks on from the dugout during a 7-5 loss in 13 innings to the Philadelphia Phillies at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Poor At-Bats Cost Friars Opportunities

On Jackie Robinson Day at Petco Park Tuesday night, Major League Baseball and the San Diego Padres honored a man who reflected courage and bravery amidst heavy segregation sixty-seven years ago.  His impact continues to impact baseball, sports, and America today.

With both the Rockies and Padres honoring the number 42, it would be the Colorado who came away on top to even the four game series 3-2  ending the Padres winning streak. Both teams had opportunities with the Padres opening up the bottom half of the first inning with two runs, but the Rockies battled back and capitalized in the fourth and fifth innings off Robbie Erlin to take a 3-2 lead.

The Padres squandered opportunities late in the game showing a lack of discipline at the plate. The biggest came in the seventh inning when the Padres loaded the bases after Yasmandi Grandal and Xavier Nady reach on walks. Instead of taking a strike, Alexi Amarista swung at the first pitch rolling a weak grounder to Rockies second baseman D.J LeMahieu to end the inning.

The Padres would get another chance in the ninth inning when Chris Denorfia reached base on an infield single off Rockies LaTroy Hawkins. Nick Hundley would swing at the first pitch ending the game on a double play.

In the first two weeks of the season, the Padres have one position starter with a batting average over .300.  Chase Headley, Yonder Alonso, and Jedd Gyorko continue to struggle at the plate. This puts a lot of pressure on the rest of the lineup to produce, and at times, showing their inexperience in the late innings. After Colorado’s left-hander Boone Logan walked Nady on four straight pitches, Amarista’s lack of discipline ended the biggest threat. Hundley remains undisciplined in late-game situation reflective in his ninth inning at bat.

Erlin pitched erratic, but the bullpen managed to keep Rockies in check the rest of the game. The Padres send ace Andrew Cashner to the mound Wednesday after his dominate pitching performance last Friday against the Tigers.