Xander Bogaerts’ big day at the plate propel Padres past Rockies in finale, 9-2
AP Photo
Game four between the Padres and the Rockies took place on Thursday, with San Diego looking to take the series and Colorado seeking a split.
Michael King took the hill for the Padres. King has been great for the team in 2026, posting a nice 3.03 ERA in 175.0 innings, solidifying his spot at the top of the rotation.
Tanner Gordon started the game for Colorado. The 28-year-old has posted a 5.55 ERA through 97 1/3 innings this year.
Dustin Harris in center
With Jackson Merrill getting a day off from the field, Harris gets the start in centerfield. Harris has posted an .858 OPS so far in his short time as a Padre.
Closing out the road trip. pic.twitter.com/nZiOgGx7k7
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) September 17, 2026
The Rockies take a quick lead
Jake McCarthy got things started with a leadoff triple in the bottom of the first inning. He’d later come in to score the first run of the day on a Connor Norby single.
Padres respond immediately
The Padres bat around in the following half inning, striking for seven runs off pitcher Tanner Gordon. Xander Bogaerts got the innings started with his 12th blast of the season.
Bogey goes boom ? pic.twitter.com/67Ykx2AwLk
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) September 17, 2026
Five more hits, including back-to-back triples by Jackson Merrill and Xander Bogaerts, give San Diego six runs.
A little bit of this, a little bit of that ?? pic.twitter.com/C6JLpE3dSX
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) September 17, 2026
A pair in the fifth
Jake Cronenworth triples and then Samad Taylor drives him in as the eighth Padres run of the day.
Samad Taylor joins the hit parade and hits an RBI double down the line
8-1 #padres over the Rockies pic.twitter.com/Ote5TIoA5F
— Padres Central (@PadresCentral_) September 17, 2026
Dustin Harris continues to hit, this one coming for his third hit of the day, and driving in Taylor.
That’s a 3-hit game for Dustin Harris
RBI single makes it 9-1 #padres over the Rockies pic.twitter.com/hf06Oj91mU
— Padres Central (@PadresCentral_) September 17, 2026
The Rockies add one
Kyle Karros would drive in Cole Carrigg for the second run of the game for the Rockies, making the score 9-2, Padres in the sixth.
King-like outing
Michael King was great again, like he has been all season long. The start on Thursday marks King’s eighth consecutive start in which he’s turned in a quality start. King tossed six innings, allowing two earned runs on seven hits, while walking two and striking out six. The right-hander was able to get 11 swing and misses from the Rockies’ hitting during his 104-pitch outing.
Matsui and Canning finish the game
Yuki Matsui tossed a 1-2-3 seventh inning, striking out two Rockies in the process.
Griffin Canning, who hasn’t pitched since September 9th against the Nationals, pitched the final two frames of Thursday’s contest. Canning allowed two hits while still throwing two shutout innings and closing out the game.
Recap
San Diego takes three out of a huge four-game set at Coors Field.
The Padres return to home on Friday after finishing a 6-1 road trip.
Michael King got credited with the win after his six strong frames.
Tanner Gordon would receive the loss with his seven earned runs allowed.
San Diego improves their record to 84-69, and widen their margin over the Diamondbacks in the Wild Card race. With the Padres’ win on Thursday, along with the Diamondbacks off on Thursday, San Diego sits in the third Wild Card spot, 4.0 games in front of Arizona.
A trio of Padres each had three-hit games: Dustin Harris (3-,5 3 RBI), Ty France (3-4 2B), and Xander Bogaerts. (3-5 2B, 3B, HR).
Xander Bogaerts began his day with a home run and a triple in the second inning. He followed that with a double in the fourth. Bogaerts needed just a single in his final two at-bats for a cycle, but struck out in the sixth and ninth to conclude his day.
Back home on Friday
After Thursday’s game in Denver, the Padres will head back home to San Diego for a quick three-game weekend series against the Miami Marlins. Nick Pivetta will start for the Padres, making his third start back from the injured list. Tyler Phillips will start the game for the Marlins. First pitch on Friday at Petco Park is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. PDT.
Angel grew up a San Diego sports fan, following the Padres, SDSU athletics, San Diego FC, as well as the Chargers. He is currently a student at San Diego State University, majoring in Journalism with an emphasis in Public relations.