Coors Field located in Denver Colorado. (Photo courtesy of Gtj82/Wikimedia Commons)
After being swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend, the Colorado Rockies returned to Coors Field for a four-game series against the San Diego Padres. The CUI’s Justin Guerriero breaks down each game and looks at what went right and what went wrong.
Game 1: Padres 14, Rockies 3: Starting pitcher Jorge De La Rosa’s season debut was not a pretty sight. After beginning the season on the Disabled List with a groin injury, De La Rosa returned Monday night and got lit up early. The veteran was torched for nine runs (seven earned) on nine hits through only two innings. He was relieved in the top of the third inning by reliever Christian Friedrich, who went 2 2/3 innings and gave up another three runs. LaTroy Hawkins, who was relieved from the closer role due to early season woes, continued to struggle, as well. He recorded one out and surrendered two hits and gave up a further two runs.
On a short positive note, catcher Nick Hundley is playing above offensive expectations early in the season. Throughout his career, Hundley has not been known for his skills swinging a bat; he has a career batting average of .240. He has, rather, earned his paychecks with stellar defense (he has a lifetime .991 fielding percentage) and his ability to work well with pitchers, especially young ones. Hundley went 2-for-3 with a walk Monday night, which raised his batting average to .289.
Game 2: Padres 7, Rockies 6: After being blown out in the first game of the series, Colorado looked better in game two, but it was not enough. Rockies’ starting pitcher Tyler Matzek was shaky. He walked six batters and lasted only five innings, but despite that, only allowed two earned runs. He would leave with a no-decision. With one out in the top of the eighth inning, the Rockies were winning 5-4, but reliever Boone Logan had a disastrous appearance, giving up three runs in two-third innings of work. The Rockies got one back in the bottom of the ninth when Hundley hit a solo shot to right center field to make it 7-6, but were not able to rally for the win.
Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez has been struggling offensively this season, and went 0-for-4 in Tuesday’s game, lowering his season batting average to .189. If he continues to perform inadequately, manager Walt Weiss could be forced to move him down in the lineup in favor of guys who are swinging a hot bat, like Hundley, who went 2-for-4 with a triple, a home run and two RBIs in the game.
Game 3- Rockies 5, Padres 4: The Rockies ended a five-game losing streak by edging San Diego in the third game of the series. Taking the mound for the Rockies was Kyle Kendrick, who had struggled immensely in his last few starts. Although he gave up four earned runs, he lasted seven innings, which gave the bullpen some much-needed rest. However, Kendrick did surrender two home runs in his outing.
Standing in the Rockies’ way was the Padres offseason acquisition James Shields. But Colorado got to him early, scoring two in the first inning courtesy of a home run by outfielder Corey Dickerson and an RBI double by third baseman Nolan Arenado. After Shields exited, Dickerson hit another solo shot in the eighth inning off of Padres’ reliever Joaquin Benoit. The bullpen held strong for the Rox, as relievers John Axford and Adam Ottavino threw scoreless frames in the eighth and ninth innings, respectively. With the game tied 4-4 in the bottom of the ninth, the Rockies won in style when pinch hitter Daniel Descalso came to the plate. With the bases juiced, Descalso hit a single to score Arenado from third.
Game 4- Rockies 2, Padres 1: The Rockies played a solid game to split the series 2-2. Jordan Lyles was excellent. He went 6? innings, allowing only one run while striking out four and walking two. After he exited, the bullpen held the lead, allowing only one hit. Axford came in and shut the door in the ninth, earning the save.
The Rox got to Padres’ starter Tyson Ross early. Just like in game three, Descalso came up to bat with the bases loaded in the bottom of the first inning. He drew a walk, which scored Dickerson and gave the Rockies an early 1-0 lead. Dickerson hit a home run in the fifth that gave Colorado the edge. It was his team-leading fifth homer of the year.
Staying hot, Hundley went 2-for-3 with a walk, raising his batting average to .333 on the season. Arenado contributed two hits as well, and Dickerson went 2-for-3 with a walk. Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki had a quiet day, and for that matter, a quiet series. He went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in the final game, and in the four-game series hit 3-for-14 with five strikeouts.
The Rockies continue their homestand with a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants Friday evening. Eddie Butler takes the mound for the Colorado, and first pitch is scheduled for 6:40pm MST.
Contact CU Independent Rockies Beat Writer Justin Guerriero at justin.guerriero@colorado.edu and follow him on Twitter @TheHungry_Hippo.
