Padres blow by Rockies 7-0
Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy, The Associated Press
San Diego, California- Petco Park
The San Diego Padres received good news right before the game started. Jurickson Profar and Jorge Mateo cleared the COVID-19 protocols and were able to join the roster.
It’s expected that Eric Hosmer will be able to join the team soon. This caused Ivan Castillo and Patrick Kivlehan to be sent back down to AAA. Both of them were very serviceable in a time when the Padres were desperate for players.
The additions of Profar and Mateo are huge. Profar has typically platooned in left field with Tommy Pham and, on occasion, gets reps in the infield. Mateo is a utility guy that brings elite speed. Profar was able to start at first base, which allowed Jake Cronenworth to move back to second base. Bit by bit, the gang is getting back together as they clear protocols.
If the Padres could replicate this type of play, they could be the most feared team in baseball. The Colorado Rockies aren’t the competition that they used to be, but that wouldn’t matter as the Padres had probably the most complete game of the year. Yu Darvish pitched a gem, and the bats were productive across the lineup.
On the mound, the Padres’ ace pitched exactly like a Cy Young caliber pitcher. Darvish pitched seven innings and only threw 81 pitches in the outing. He struck out ten batters, which marks his second double-digit strikeout performance of the year. The Rockies only managed four hits all game against him as he shut down their lineup. Perhaps the most notable stat of the day is that Padres pitching only allowed one 3-ball count all game.
Surprisingly, Darvish also got it done at the plate. In the 6th inning, he would line a double to left field and later come around to score. This would be his first hit as a Padre and just the 11th of his career, and it’s safe to say he was ecstatic.
YU DARVISH WITH HIS FIRST PADRES HIT! 🔥#HungryForMore l @Padres pic.twitter.com/fyuFAr8akB
— Bally Sports San Diego (@BallySportsSD) May 18, 2021
As far as his pitching goes, he continued his excellence on the season. Manager Jayce Tingler continued to praise Darvish’s superb pitching and repertoire.
“That was probably the sharpest I have seen in all his outings with us so far. All his pitches working very efficient. I thought he threw some just filthy two-seamers. Obviously, he is able to spin the ball extremely well. (He) was efficient in the zone. You go seven innings and 80, 81 pitches… I thought he had everything working tonight,” Jayce Tingler said after the game.
Just as Yu Darvish is a vital veteran in the rotation, Manny Machado is a vital veteran in the lineup. Machado was the lingering subject of the infamous slide against Tommy Edman from Sunday’s contest. Nonetheless, Machado had one of his best games all season in game one against the Rockies. In the first inning, he launched a two-run home run that had a 36-degree launch angle on its way to the left-field stands.
WHAT A START! That's our Man(ny) 😉#HungryForMore l @Padres pic.twitter.com/oAx3km5wHi
— Bally Sports San Diego (@BallySportsSD) May 18, 2021
Then in the fifth inning, he took a ball down the right-field line for a double. In the last four games, he has five hits, three of which are extra-base hits. He is starting to heat up at just the right time for the Padres.
All in all, the Padres cruised past the Rockies and have now extended their winning streak to four games. The Padres will have Blake Snell on the hill on Tuesday, and the Rockies will toss Austin Gomber for another 7:10 first pitch at Petco Park.
Other Quick Notes on the Game:
- Trent Grisham led the game off with a triple to kick off a three-run first inning.
- In his first game back, Profar had two hits.
- Victor Caratini and Tommy Pham each hit into two double plays.
Evan is a student finishing up a degree in Finance from Northern Arizona University. The ability to break down numbers and find the story behind them has lead to his first of writing for East Village times. He covers baseball which is the sport he grew up playing and has followed even after his playing years.