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The Colorado Rockies last night fell below .500 overall for the first time this season. On Sunday, they'll try to avoid a losing record in road games -- and a sweep at the hands of the San Diego Padres -- in a 2:10 p.m. tilt at Petco Park.
The Rockies will send Kyle Kendrick, who was not good his last time out, to the hill in the series finale. Kendrick, brought in to be merely decent while eating innings, has failed to last beyond five innings in four out of his last five starts. His last outing was a stinker against the Arizona Diamondbacks in a 12-5 loss. Kendrick allowed eight runs on 10 hits, including a homer, and failed to strike out a batter in 4⅓ innings.
Kendrick has faced the Padres once this season and performed rather admirably. The veteran righty lasted seven innings, surrendering four runs on seven hits and a walk in a 5-4 win at Coors Field. That kind of outing is precisely what the Rockies want from Kendrick. If he can deliver those more often than not for the remainder of the season, that signing won't be the total waste it appears to be now.
The Padres will counter with James Shields, who had his worst outing of the season against Kendrick and the Rockies on April 22. Shields gave up three runs six hits while striking out a season-low five batters and allowing a season-high three walks. Shields transition to the National League has been very favorable for him. He owns a 2.90 ERA through five starts and has notched 41 strikeouts against only nine walks in 31 innings.
Shields should have an easier time against the Rockies today than he did a couple of weeks ago. Colorado will sit Troy Tulowitzki and Justin Morneau, instead opting to place Rafael Ynoa and Daniel Descalso in the same starting lineup.
Sundays, man.
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