After winning all six match ups against San Diego in April, the Rockies fell to the Padres in 12 innings yesterday. However, there were some signs that their offense is about to get very hot over this ten game home stand.
Nolan Arenado, who had just a .651 OPS during the month of May backed up his four hit effort on Wednesday (which went under the radar because of Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki going a combined 8-10 with five home runs) with two more doubles on Thursday. He also hit an opposite field line drive for what would have been a game winning walk off hit in the ninth if the Padres outfield wasn't playing so shallow. It's safe to say he's heating up.
In addition, Wilin Rosario who had just two home runs in his last 27 games entering Thursday and a .493 OPS in May racked up six total bases yesterday including a game tying home run in eighth inning. DJ LeMahieu who also had been slumping at the plate recently had a good day as well reaching base three times.
Gonzalez and Tulowitzki may have gone 0-11 with only Tulo reaching base with a 12th inning walk, but I'm will to bet that won't happen too often. The role guys getting going is more important for the Rockies in the long term.
On the mound, the Rockies have their most productive starter this season in Jorge De La Rosa. Over his last nine starts, he's held opponents to a .625 OPS and has a 2.58 ERA. In his first start against the Padres earlier in the year against San Diego, De La Rosa pitched six shutout innings on his way to a win.
Meanwhile, Edinson Volquez will start for San Diego. It's been a rough year for the Padres righty, pitching to a 5.35 ERA while giving up four or more earned runs in seven of his twelve starts this season.
Interesting note: The Rockies have remained exactly 2.5 games behind Arizona for eight consecutive days now. The D'Backs have Patrick Corbin on the mound tonight against the Giants and they are 11-0 when starts; so on paper, this is a night where they both should win, but as we know, you just can't predict baseball.
Lineups
Padres
1. Chris Denorfia (R) RF
2. Everth Cabrera (S) SS
3. Chase Headley (S) 3B
4. Carlos Quentin (R) LF
5. Jedd Gyorko (R) 2B
6. Kyle Blanks (R) 1B
7. Cameron Maybin (R) CF
8. Yasmani Grandal (S) C
9. Edinson Volquez (R) P
Rockies
1. Dexter Fowler (S) CF
2. Eric Young (S) RF
3. Carlos Gonzalez (L) LF
4. Troy Tulowitzki (R) SS
5. Todd Helton (L) 1B
6. Nolan Arenado (R) 3B
7. DJ LeMahieu (R) 2B
8. Yorvit Torrealba (R) C
9. Jorge De La Rosa (L) P