Padres’ red-hot pitching shuts out struggling Rockies in home sweep

Initial concern has now given way to heavy praise, as the Colorado Rockies were unable to put up a fight in San Diego in the three-game series this weekend. The Padres’ rotation swept their way through the Rockies’ lineup and had them struggling to find answers. 

It all started with Nick Pivetta. The Padres’ new shiny toy once again made a case as to why he’s worth every bit of that $55 million contract. It was only his second start in Petco, but he’s looked completely comfortable. He went seven innings, allowing only four baserunners and 10 strikeouts. It is the second time in three starts he has gone seven shutout innings. 

His stuff was as dominant as we've seen from him. He recorded 19 swings-and-misses and limited hard contact, resulting in an 86.6 MPH average exit velocity. His four-seam was his bread and butter. All night, it had incredible carry, resulting in an average of 20.6 inches of induced vertical break and three inches of arm-side run. His electric four-seam produced 10 whiffs and an absurd 41.7% whiff-rate. Padres pitching coach Ruben Niebla has been investing heavily in Pivetta and it’s been paying early dividends. 

Unconventional trio of Padres lead ridiculous shutout weekend vs. Rockies

Kyle Hart then led the charge in Saturday’s bout. His previous start against the Cubs left much to be desired. It was one reminiscent of his time with Boston. But on Saturday, you wouldn’t know it. Hart turned in the best start of his career. He threw six innings and only allowed one weak double. His stuff was not as overpowering as Pivetta’s, but who cares? 

Hart recorded just six swings-and-misses on the whole night, but held the Rockies scoreless on a night where the Padres only mustered up two runs. He heavily relied on his sweeper, throwing it 36% of the time, and recorded an average exit velocity of 89.4 MPH. With the pitch, Hart recorded 12 ‘called strikes plus whiffs’, good for 60% of his 20 on the night. Hopefully, this is the turnaround he and San Diego need.

True to his name, Michael King reigned over the Rockies all Sunday afternoon. King notched the longest start of his six-year career, going the full nine – scattering only two hits, one walk, and eight punchouts. Michael King has been nothing short of regal in his Padres’ career.

The Rockies had no answer for King. He recorded 17 swings-and-misses, 35 ‘called-strikes plus whiffs,’ and held their bats silent throughout the outing. His changeup carved its way through Colorado's lineup, showing great shape with 4.1 inches of induced vertical break and 19.1 inches of arm-side run. The Rockies couldn’t adjust, as King racked up seven whiffs and an average exit velocity of 82.3 MPH.

Citing 'The Wire’, “You come at the King, you best not miss." The “King” came for them, and they stood no chance.