Padres Keep Rolling, Sweep Rockies

Jun 7, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres pitcher Nick Vincent (50) throws the ball in the 7th inning against the Washington Nationals at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Stan Liu-USA TODAY Sports

Game 1 W, 4-3

Game 1 was a battle, the Padres went from leading 1-0 after Yonder Alonso’s solo shot, to trailing 3-1 on one pitch, a pitch that Corey Dickerson sent flying over the right field porch. Liriano made it 3-2 with his sac fly and then Yangervis Solarte came in for the knockout with his 10^th home run of the year, 3^rd as a Padre in the bottom of the 7^th. Jedd Gyorko added 2 hits as he continues to raise his average closer to the Mendoza line.

Jesse Hahn didn’t have his best stuff, though his loopy curveball left many Rockies hitters’ heads spinning. He left the game in the 6^th after surrendering the 3-run home run. He struck out 5 and walked 3 in 5-plus innings. The bullpen came in and, as usual, shut things down quickly with 4 scoreless innings that included 9 strikeouts, zero hits and zero walks. Nick Vincent and Kevin Quackenbush set the table for Joaquin Benoit’s 6^th save of the year.  The 4-3 win was a beautiful combination of old and new coming together. The new pieces of Almonte, Liriano and Solarte provided the runs and the typical Padre, shut-down bullpen got the job done to seal the victory.