San Diego Padres: All fun in the Mile High City on Jackie Robinson Day

The San Diego Padres brought the lumber last night, knocking 19 hits en route to a blowout victory.

There never seem to be dull moments when the Padres invade Coors Field. Last summer, in a four-game series versus the Colorado Rockies, the two teams combined for a major league record 92 runs. Last night, on a day where Major League Baseball came together to celebrate the transformative legacy of Jackie Robinson, the two teams did not disappoint.

The Padres starting pitcher Zach Davies did not get off to a great start. A couple of quick singles followed by a fielding error from the first baseman Eric Hosmer and a home run from Rockies DH Matt Kemp and San Diego found themselves in an immediate 4-0 deficit.

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Through the first few innings, Rockies starter Kyle Freeland held San Diego’s potent offense to just four hits, all singles. The Friars offense finally began to click in the fourth inning. Wil Myers, who has been one of the hottest hitters across baseball, got the inning started with a double. After Ty France was hit by a pitch, Padres number 14 overall prospect Jorge Mateo, singled Myers in for the Friars’ first run.

The Padres hung a three-spot in the fifth inning. Manny Machado, last week’s National League Player of the Week, kicked it off with a single before Hosmer and Myers hit back-to-back doubles. In the sixth, San Diego blew it wide open. After a double by Fernando Tatis Jr., back-to-back singles from Hosmer and Myers, and a walk to Jake Cronenworth, France wasn’t going to miss his opportunity for the fun.

The Padres did not let up as singles became the name of the game. In the eighth inning, it was, you guessed it, Machado, Hosmer, and Myers again. San Diego tacked on two runs, ending up being the final nail in the coffin on a blistery night in Denver.

In the Rockies ninth, an attempt at a comeback fell short. After a single off the bat of Raimel Tapia and a walk to Trevor Story, third baseman Nolan Arenado stepped to the dish to try to close the gap. Unfortunately for the Rockies, and Arenado, Mateo had other plans.

https://twitter.com/Padres/status/1299566443713818625

All in all, the Padres hammered 19 hits, and, interestingly enough, not a single ball flew over the fence. Tatís Jr. kept his batting average above .300 after a 2-for-6 night at the plate. Machado, Hosmer, and Myers combined for 11 of the 19 hits, and France put together his own three-hit night along with four RBI himself. Of the hit totals, six went for extra bases.

The Padres became the seventh team in baseball to hit the 20-win mark and sit only four games out in the NL West, firmly entrenched in a playoff position. San Diego sends fireballing prospect Adrian Morejon to the mound Saturday. Colorado will counter with Antonio Senzatela.