Padres Slip Late, Drop Game To Rockies

Jul 1, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres left fielder Seth Smith (12) swings at a pitch during the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Looking to continue on a recent streak of success, the Padres took to Coors Field on Wednesday with the opportunity to further distance themselves from the cellar of the National League West. However, the Rockies had other ideas, and Colorado got their way as 3 eighth inning runs did the Padres in, as the fell 6-3.

Eric Stults took the mound for San Diego, and his recent struggles continued as the second pitch he threw was belted to right field by Charlie Blackmon for a home run. One out later, Troy Tulowitzki cranked his 19th jack of the season, connecting on an 0-1 fastball for a line drive homer as Colorado took a 2-0 lead after the first inning.

Yasmani Grandal doubled to lead off the fourth inning, but the safe call at second was overturned as the Rockies turned to replay. With a runner taken off the bags, rookie Jake Goebbert cracked his first long ball of his young career, crushing a four-seam fastball that cut the lead in half at 2-1.

Stults pitched well after the first inning, allowing only five hits on the day. But the first two hits he gave up on the day were home runs, and he allowed yet another one in the bottom of the fourth, giving up a long ball to Wilin Rosario as the Rockies re-took their two run lead.

While the Padre pitching was giving up home runs galore, the Padres drank some of the Kool-Aid and joined in on the fun. Seth Smith led off the fifth by connecting on a 2-0 changeup that he sent into the bleachers for his tenth homer of the year, and the Padres were back within one run. They tied the game later in the inning as a wild pitch allowed Chris Denorfia to score, knotting the score at 3 apiece.

The home run parade was interuppted for a few innings, but it came back with a veangence in the bottom of the eighth. Colorado’s Charlie Blackmon singled, and Drew Stubbs hit his ninth home run of the year to plate two runs. The Rockies added another as Tulowitzki went yard for the second time in the game.

Closer LaTroy Hawkins came on in the ninth to close out the Padres, and close out the Padres is what he did, working through a leadoff walk to retire the next three San Diego batters.

With the loss, the Padres dropped the series to the Rockies and will attempt to get back on track Thursday at Chavez Ravine, where they’ll take on the Dodgers at 7:10 pm.