Padres come back again, beat Rockies 14-13
Credit: Padres
Denver, Colorado
The San Diego Padres (35-37) came back for the second time this weekend, erasing a five-run seventh inning deficit by taking the lead with a four-run ninth to win 14-13 against the Colorado Rockies (37-34).
The Padres struck early against Colorado rookie Peter Lambert (2-0, 1.50 ERA, 3.49 FIP). Fernando Tatis Jr. led off with a single, stole second, and advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher Chris Iannetta. He would score on a sacrifice fly by Eric Hosmer. Manny Machado singled and Hunter Renfroe hit a towering fly ball that barely cleared the left field fence. Rockies left fielder Ramiel Tapia got a glove on it, but couldn’t make the catch on Renfroe’s 22nd home run of the year.
Nick Margevicius (2-6, 5.02 ERA, 5.58 FIP) started for the Padres in the series finale, hoping to salvage a split in the series. Charlie Blackmon cast doubts on that possibility with a leadoff home run, his 13th hit and fourth home run of the four-game series. Blackmon picked up his 14th hit of the series later in the first inning, capping a six-run first inning. Margevicius gave up four one-out singles and two runs in the second before getting the hook. Luis Perdomo came on in relief but gave up Lambert’s second RBI single of the game. Margevicius was responsible for all nine Rockies’ runs, all earned. He gave up 11 hits, walked one, and struck out one in an inning and a third.
The Padres offense fought their way back. In the second, Margot and Tatis hit one-out doubles to plate a run. Tatis moved to third on a wild pitch and later scored when Hosmer hit a routine groundball to the pitcher. The ball was fielded by Lambert who looked Tatis back towards third, then turned and threw out Hosmer. Tatis set out for home as soon as Lambert’s back was turned and beat the throw from first baseman Daniel Murphy.
In the third, Renfroe and Wil Myers led off with singles. Greg Garcia tripled inside the rightfield line to score two runs. After Austin Hedges struck out swinging, Perdomo but the ball in play, grounding out to second to bring in Garcia and make the score 9-8.
Perdomo shut down the Rockies in the third and fourth innings, and the Padres failed to score in the fourth or fifth. Andy Green made an early call to Trey Wingenter, bringing him into the game in the fifth inning for the first time this year. Wingenter retired Blackmon on strikes but gave up Trevor Story’s 17th home run of the season. Wingenter got Nolan Arenado on a flyout to deep left, then struck out Murphy to end the inning.
Rockies reliever Jesus Tinoco shut the Padres down for three innings, giving up no hits and one walk. But in the seventh, Tatis led off the inning with a triple and came home on a Machado groundout to second. Renfroe’s monster home run to center field, his 23rd of the year, brought the score to 13-10 Rockies.
Brad Wieck, recalled from Triple-A El Paso today in place of Robbie Erlin, shut down the Rockies in the seventh. Garcia and Naylor reached on singles to bring pinch-hitter Franmil Reyes to the plate representing the tying run. Reyes worked a full count but grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.
Geraldo Reyes pitched the bottom of the 8th, having given up six runs in the series already. He struck out the side.
Wade Davis came in to close the game for the Rockies. Tatis flew out to deep right field, falling just of a home run needed to complete the cycle. Hosmer and Machado walked. Renfroe came close to his third home run of the game, flying out to center for the second out. Myers singled through the 5.5 hole to score Hosmer. With the tying run on base and Garcia up, the utility infielder fired a shot into the left-centerfield gap, tying the game at a baker’s dozen with his second triple of the game.
GREG GARCIA! From El Cajon!! The Valhalla Norseman!!!
Staying alive!!!! pic.twitter.com/QWhnmwS3rC
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 16, 2019
Rockies manager Bud Black relieved Davis and brought in starter Jon Gray for the first relief appearance of his career. The Rockies issued two intentional walks to load the bases and bring up the pitcher’s spot as Matt Strahm came in as the pinch-hitter. Surprisingly, Gray didn’t have great control over his pitches and ended up walking Strahm to score Garcia and give the Padres the lead. Gray got Tatis to ground out to end the threat.
Kirby Yates faced the top of the Rockies order to start the bottom of the ninth. Blackmon was retired on a routine flyball to left field. Yates struck out Story looking at a low fastball, then finished Arenado with a swinging strikeout on his signature slider.
It was the second huge comeback for the Padres, as they split the series with their division rivals. Reyes earned his third win of the year. Davis blew his second save of the year after blowing his first on Friday night and took the loss. Yates ‘save was his major league-leading 24th of the year.
The Padres come home tomorrow to face the Milwaukee Brewers for a three-game set. Joey Lucchesi (5-4, 4.11, 3.78) will get his 14th start of the year. Jhoulys Chacin (3-7, 5.74, 5.77) is expected to come off the Injured List to get the start for the Brewers.
