Ian Kennedy flirted with a no-hitter into the 6th in the final game of the series.
The Padres played the Rockies to a 2-2 series tie in their first matchup of the season. Not the end of the world…but certainly not satisfying considering they were in position to take all four. Coming off the emotionally uplifting series win over the Tigers, the pads seemed primed to make some progress towards getting back to the .500 mark against the Rockies who had lost 4 of their previous 7. There were some exceptional Padres performances during the series, but some moments of frustration as well.
- GAME #1 – Stults started, and wasn’t his sharpest allowing 4 runs, 3 earned, and 9 hits over 5 innings. Trailing 4-0 the Pads started their comeback with the help of a Medica PH double to break the scoreless spell that Lyles had over the Pads until the 5th. Cabrera then doubled and Amarista singled, each driving in a run bringing the Pads to within a run 4-3. That’s the way it remained until the 8th when the Rockies bullpen walked the bases loaded. Then with two outs, a wild pitched scored both Nady from 3rd, and Smith from 2nd who stayed alert and bolted home when the throw from the catcher got away from the pitcher covering home. It wasn’t conventional, but the Friars helped create their own destiny for the evening with some patient at bats, and alert base running taking the game 5-4. 1-0 series lead for the Pads.
- GAME #2 – Coming off the late inning comeback victory from the night before, the Pads quickly jumped out to a 2-0 lead thanks to four straight hits to start the bottom of the first, but that would be all they would get that inning, and ultimately the game. Erlin allowed the lead to be cut in half the next inning, and another run crossed two innings later. Then in the 5th after retiring the first two batters, he allowed a single and a walk, forcing Buddy to come get him with Tulowitzki coming to the plate having two hits under his belt for the evening already. Stauffer came in from the ‘pen, walked Tulo, and then allowed a hit letting the go ahead run cross, Pads trailed 3-2. The Friars put the tying run on second in the 6th with one out and couldn’t convert it, then loaded the bases in the 7th but again left them all stranded. The chances to take the game were there but the offense just simply did not take advantage of them. Series tied 1-1.
- GAME #3 – Cashner…need I say any more. He was impressive once again, but in a different way than his last outing when he flirted with a no-hitter. This time he showed off his ability to stay calm, and use his command and growing feel for pitching to work out of some jams allowing only 1 earned run while pitching into the 8th. Meanwhile the offense came through just enough thanks to Medica’s first HR of the season, and an RBI double and RBI single by Denorfia gave the Pads a 4-2 lead to set Street up for his 5th save of the season in as many tries. Cashner further established his rowing status as an ace, and the Pads were again one game away from reaching the .500 plateau.
- GAME #4 – It was Kennedy’s turn to once again follow in the footsteps of an excellent outing by Cashner, and this time Kennedy more than held his won. Spotting his fastball, and using his curveball and change up effectively, he flirted with his own no-hitter heading into the 6th before allowing a lucky double down the 3rd base line that may have been playable for Amarista had the ball not hit the 3rd base bag and carom over Ninja’s outreached glove. Nady gave Kennedy a 1-run lead to protect in the 4th with a solo HR, but it would all come crashing down in the 7th. After a lead off bloop double and a walk, Morneau doubled over the Head of the retreating Denorfia who appeared to misjudge the liner hit right at him, scoring the tying run. The go ahead run scored on an infield groundout, and the third run crossed thanks to a seeing eye single through the left side, giving the Rockies a 3-1 lead they would never relinquish. It was a disappointing loss for the Padres who simply couldn’t get anything going to give Kennedy some run support, and for Kennedy who really pitched quite nicely and deserved a better fate.
Through out the series the Rockies made some incredible defensive plays on the left side of the infield with Arenado and Tulowitzki putting on a pair of gold glove clinics. It was generally good baseball and all close games. All said and done, the Pads were partially gifted the first win, and could have easily taken either of the two losses with either a timely hit or key defensive play, but neither was to be and the Friars have to settle for a split.
The Giants come into town tomorrow for a 3 game set, and here’s how the rotation is lined up.
- Game #1 (7:10 p.m.) – Ross vs. Cain
- Game #2 (5:40 p.m.) – Stults vs. Hudson
- Game #3 (1:10 p.m.) – Erlin vs. Lincecum
No easy match ups, but hopefully the Pads find a way to start giving the thus far effective pitching staff some run support, and can take the series before heading out on a tough ten day road trip.
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