Padres Week in Review: April 20-26th

The Padres offense came up big in the first two games of the Rockies series before faltering. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Rockies Series Recap

The Padres literally burst out of the gate for the Colorado Rockies series and scored 9 runs in the first two innings of the week. Matt Kemp paced the Padres with a 3-4 night and 4 RBI. Yonder Alonso was 2-4 with 3 RBI of his own, and catcher Derek Norris continued his strong start by going 3-5 to boot. Odrisamer Despaigne was outstanding again filling in for injured Ian Kennedy and it is of great comfort to know that you have a backup starter like him ready to go on a moment’s notice. Given the injury history of Brandon Morrow and Andrew Cashner especially, though both of them too are off to good starts to the season. The final score was 14-3 as the Padres scored 5 more again in the 5th. Depending on your interpretation, the Padres did or did not bat around in the first inning.

Tuesday night’s game might be one of those games late in the year the Padres look back on and remember above other victories. Brandon Morrow had his worst start yet for the Padres as he allowed 5 runs in 6 innings, leaving the game with the Rockies up 5-2. A Wil Myers double in the 7th brought the Padres within 2 but they entered the 8th inning still down by 2. Brandon Maurer continued his recent hot streak on the mound as well, pitching a perfect inning in relief. Yangervis Solarte and Myers delivered RBI singles before Derek Norris delivered the big double in the gap to give the Padres the lead. Joaquin Benoit retired the side in the 8th to bring on Kimbrel in the 9th. He allowed a home run to Nick Hundley in the 9th before settling down and finishing out the ninth for his 5th save and the Padres the 7-6 victory. Maurer picked up the win with Boone Logan picking up the loss for the Rockies.

Wednesday the Padres seemed to have all the momentum on their side and with James Shields on the mound opposing Kyle Kendricks, it seemed like the Rockies were headed to their sixth consecutive loss. Especially when Solarte launched his second homer of the year in the first inning the Padres had the early lead. But this is Coors Field. Shields allowed two runs in the first on a Corey Dickerson homer and Nolan Arenado double and another in the 2nd on a D.J. LeMahieu double to give the Rockies a 3-1 lead. In the 7th the Padres rallied with RBI doubles from Derek Norris and Corey Spangenberg to give the Padres a 4-3 lead. Yet Dickerson hit his second homer of the game off of Joaquin Benoit in the 8th to tie things at 4. In the 9th with Shawn Kelley on the mound, veteran Daniel Descalso came off the bench for the home team to deliver a bases loaded single game winner in walk-off fashion. Rockies win 5-4.

The series finale was Thursday with Tyson Ross going against Jordan Lyles who is off to a good start for the Rockies this season. Ross labored through five innings but only allowed 2 runs, struck out 7 and walked 4. Dickerson hit another home run and Ross walked Descalso to force in a run in the first inning. Maurer worked two innings of scoreless relief but the Padres weren’t able to break through the Colorado bullpen this time. Yonder Alonso had 3 of the Padres 7 total hits, with Spangenberg collecting 2 more in a start at second base. Final score Rockies 2, Padres 1.

For a series that started out so well offensively, it ended poorly and the Padres would have to shake that off heading home to face the rival Dodgers Friday night.

Next: Dodgers Series Recap