In Saturday’s action, the Colorado Rockies beat the San Diego Padres 10-1 at Petco Park, thanks to a strong start from Tyler Chatwood and a lot of offense highlighted by a home run from Nolan Arenado and a grand slam from Ian Desmond.
Ex-Rockies ace Jhoulys Chacin took the mound for the Padres. He had been pretty successful at Petco Park this year, allowing just twelve hits in twenty seven innings for a 0.67 ERA to offset a horrid 10.27 road ERA. Through three innings against the Rockies on Saturday, he allowed just a base runner an inning, and it looked like it might be a low scoring game.
But things started evening out in the fourth inning. Carlos Gonzalez reached on an error by Yangervis Solarte. He advanced to second on a grounder by Ian Desmond, and then he scored on Gerardo Parra’s single. In the top of the fifth, Chacin committed one of those mistakes Rockies pitchers were once infamous for by giving up a hit, in this case a double, to Chatwood. DJ LeMahieu brought him home with a single, making the score 2-0. Then, Nolan Arenado drove a ball into the left field bleachers, pushing the score up to 4-0.
The Padres answered back in the bottom of the fifth when Austin Hedges hit a solo home run off Chatwood, bringing the score to 4-1. In the sixth, Chacin allowed a hit and threw his second wild pitch of the game, but he was able to escape without giving up any damage. The bullpen came on to relieve Chacin in the seventh inning, but it wasn’t much of a relief. After Miguel Diaz gave up back to back singles to Charlie Blackmon and LeMahieu. Jose Torres came in to relieve Diaz, who promptly walked Gonzalez. Then, he served up a grand slam of taco’s to Ian Desmond. It was Desmond’s first extra base hit since May 24th. Desmond’s blast made score to 8-1.
The Rockies tacked on two more runs in the top of the eighth, stringing together singles and a sacrifice fly from Arenado to close out the game’s scoring at 10-1. There was an odd play in the top of the eighth, where it looked like the Padres had turned a double play. However, after the play was reviewed, it was determined shortstop Chase d’Arnaud did not touch the bag so LeMahieu was safe. Furthermore, in a heads up move, even though LeMahieu might have thought he was called out as the play was happening, he wisely decided to advance to third base because the base was uncovered. When the review overturned the umpire’s call, he was awarded third base.
On the other side of the hill, Chatwood gave the Rockies a great start. He gave up four hits, a walk and just one run through eight innings, while striking out eight batters. He also got two hits in four at bats and scored two of the Rockies runs. Jordan Lyles came in and threw a clean ninth inning.
The series is now tied at a game a piece. Sunday’s rubber match starts at 2:40pm MST. Jeff Hoffman will start in place of Tyler Anderson, whom the Rockies placed on the 10-day DL with knee inflammation. The Padres will send Jarred Cosart to the hill in response.