Make that four wins in a row now for the Padres after tonight’s 5-4 victory over the Rockies. The W tied the team’s longest winning streak of the season, and guaranteed a series victory. It also marked the Friars sixth consecutive home win against the Rockies.
Ross was once again solid and he and Bettis were locked in a pitcher’s duel through the first five innings. The Pads struck first thanks to a solo home run by Hedges in the 3rd, the second of his career, and the fourth for the Pads in the first two games back from the break, 1-0 Friars.
That lead was short lived, though, as the Rocks opened the 4th with a walk, single, single, but were unable to score with that because of some bad base running on the second hit that left the lead runner at third hung up in a rundown. It was the fourth base running blunder in the series by the Rockies, with the Pads executing on defense each time to accept the gift outs. A ground out to first did finally plate a run, however, to tie it 1-1.
The Friars struck again in the 6th. A two out rally was started by a Solarte walk. Alonso followed suit to put runners at second an third. That brought Kemp to the dish, having amassed 11 hits in the previous 6 games including three home runs and three doubles, and looking like…well, Matt Kemp. He came through big time as he jumped on the first fastball delivered and drove it into the left-center gap for a bases clearing double to put the Friars on top 3-1. Stay hot!
Again Colorado wouldn’t back down and immediately answered the next half inning with a single and triple to make it a one-run contest. That chased Ross, who went a solid 6 2/3 and tied a franchise record by not allowing a home run in his 15th consecutive start spanning 93 1/3 innings pitched. Maurer came in from the ‘pen looking to record the final out and strand the runner at third to preserve the 3-2 lead, but made a mistake out over the plate that was hit for double down the right field line. The run scored from third, and sayonara lead. The Pads were back in a dog fight tied 3-3.
Instead of acting deflated the Friars, as they seem to have done so many times this season, picked themselves up, dusted themselves off, and got back into the fight. Upton Jr. lead off the next inning with a pinch hit walk, which then brought Barmes to the plate. The former Rockie showed no mercy on his old mates as he had already made several nice plays in the field against them. He punished them further as he jumped on the third pitch of the at bat and launched it 404’ into the left field bleachers for a 2-run bomb to put the Pads up 5-3. Paybacks are a &%*$#!!!
Benoit pitched the 8th and allowed a solo HR to Tulowitzki to hand over a 1-run lead to The Kimbrel, who was released in the 9th to convert his 25th save. He did so in dominant fashion striking out the side to lock down the exciting 5-4 victory.
The Pads will look to make it a season best five games in a row on Sunday to complete the sweep. They’ll hand the ball to Cashner, who’s been firing the pill as well as he has all season in his last few outings. First pitch will cross the plate at 1:10, and Uncle Teddy and I will be excited to have you join us for all the action on the Mighty 1090!
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