Padres Emphatically Change Momentum in Win

The Padres not only ended the longest scoreless streak to start a season any team in the history of Major League Baseball has endured – they broke through in grand fashion, scoring 13 runs to beat the Rockies for their first win of the young 2016 season. Matt Kemp hit a three run home run, Melvin Upton Jr.hit a home run, and Yangervis Solarte went 3-5 with 4 RBI for the Padres to lead the offense. Every position player starter had at least one hit, with Kemp going 4-6 on the day. Colin Rea struggled with control and was pulled in the fourth, but recently recalled Robbie Erlin hurled 3+ innings of relief to pick up the win.

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We all knew that the Padres would not go an entire season or even much longer at all without scoring runs. While Rockies shortstop Trevor Story hit another two home runs – we do know that as much as people will try and extrapolate larger meaning about the first week of the season – that forecasting is often unwarranted. Yes, the Padres do have some issues on both sides of the ball to work out, but there are some positives.

The lineup that A.J. Preller has constructed for 2016 is built more to get on base and use some speed than the 2015 version, and that aspect of the Padres on display as well Friday. Upton Jr, Wil Myers and Jon Jay all stole their first bases of the season Friday, and look for Corey Spangenberg to get in on that act too. Solarte ended up one of the Padres most consistent offensive supporters in 2015, and he chipped in with two doubles as well. Last year he tied with catcher Derek Norris with the team lead at 33.

Next: Rockies Series Preview

The Padres offense is not dead – and they look to keep it going in the second game of the series Saturday evening. Drew Pomeranz will make his Padres season debut in the stadium where he spent several seasons and the Padres offense will hope to provide the support he needs. The Rockies send out Jorge de la Rosa hoping to win another one, and Trevor Story hopes to keep hitting home runs for the Rockies.