Jordan Lyles and the Colorado Rockies shoot for 2-2 in first series against the Padres

After last night’s ninth inning victory on a Daniel Descalso walk off base hit, the Rockies look to break even with the Padres in the closing game of this four game set. Jordan Lyles gets the nod against hard-throwing Tyson Ross at 1:10 MT.

Tyson Ross will make his fourth start of the season this afternoon, so far 1-0 with a 4.08 ERA. An All-Star a year ago, the big right hander had his best of a five year career last season for San Diego, posting a 2.81 ERA in over 195 innings.

Ross is a strikeout pitcher, due in large part to his velocity and predominant use of breaking pitches. The Rockies can expect to see his slider and sinker most often, topping out in the high 80s and mid 90s, respectively. Ross will also throw a fourseam fastball and change up, but both are extreme fly ball pitches, so it’s likely he’ll keep those on the shelf for the most part against the heavy hitting Rockies at altitude.

Justin Morneau -- though not in today’s starting lineup -- has the best numbers against Tyson Ross heading into this game, with a .400 average in ten at bats. Troy Tulowitzki and Corey Dickerson are each hitting over .330 against Ross, and Charlie Blackmon has a career .375 mark, with a homerun and a double off of the righty.

Tyson Ross is 0-4 in his career at Coors Field.

Jordan Lyles has given the Rockies six innings of work in each of his three starts this April. Command is the name of the game today for Lyles, who walked five in the Rockies’ 6-3 loss to the Dodgers last Saturday. Much more of a contact pitcher than Ross, Lyles will need the defense behind him to be as sterling as they can be, and not what they displayed in the four error game on April 12th against the Cubs -- Lyles’ last home start. The bullpen has given up five runs in three games in relief of Lyles.

The 24 year old South Carolina native has his work cut out for him today against San Diego; Yonder Alonso being the man to look out for. The first baseman is 6-8 lifetime against Lyles, with two homeruns and five RBIs. Alexi Amarista and Justin Upton have a collective ten hits off of the righty; Will Venable and Matt Kemp with a homerun a piece.

Neither Justin Morneau nor Carlos Gonzalez are in Walt Weiss’ starting lineup this afternoon. Morneau will have his first off day since sitting last Friday against Clayton Kershaw. With Wilin Rosario in Albuquerque, last night’s hero, Daniel Descalso, will start the game at first base.

A slumping Carlos Gonzalez has gone quiet since his loud 470ft, two run blast off the scoreboard in Milwaukee on April 8th. CarGo bat drops, please come back. The Rockies will move Charlie Blackmon to right field and play Drew Stubbs in center. Stubbs has yet to log a hit in 2015, striking out in 9 of his 15 at bats.

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<h3>Today's Lineups</h3>

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<th align="left">SAN DIEGO PADRES</th>

<th align="left">COLORADO ROCKIES</th>

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<tr><td class="td-last td-name">Wil Myers - CF</td><td class="td-first td-name">Charlie Blackmon - RF</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Cory Spangenberg - 2B</td><td class="td-first td-name">Troy Tulowitzki - SS</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Matt Kemp - RF</td><td class="td-first td-name">Corey Dickerson - LF</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Yangervis Solarte - 3B</td><td class="td-first td-name">Nolan Arenado - 3B</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Yonder Alonso - 1B</td><td class="td-first td-name">Nick Hundley - C</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Will Venable - LF</td><td class="td-first td-name">Daniel Descalso - 1B</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Alexi Amarista - SS</td><td class="td-first td-name">Drew Stubbs - CF</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Wil Nieves - C</td><td class="td-first td-name">Jordan Lyles - RHP</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Tyson Ross - RHP</td><td class="td-first td-name">DJ LeMahieu - 2B</td></tr></tbody>

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First pitch at 1:10 MT