The Rockies were swept by the Padres on Wednesday night during MLB’s celebration of Roberto Clemente Day — the first time they’ve been swept in San Diego since May 2016. The Rockies have lost five out of their last six games against the Padres in 2020, but luckily this was the last regular season series between the two.
More homers, but no slams
The first five runs of the game were scored via the long ball. Trevor Story got things started with a solo shot in the first to give the Rockies the lead, but the Padres answered back with a Mitch Moreland two-run shot in the bottom half. Former Padre Matt Kemp got back at his former team with a 415-footer to center field in the sixth, but that was the last of the Rockies scoring.
The other three Padres hits came from a Wil Myers triple, a Jake Cronenworth single, and an Austin Nola single in the sixth and eighth innings.
Too many walks
Antonio Senzatela was saddled with the loss tonight. He lasted five innings and was tagged for four runs with just two strikeouts. The biggest blemish on that line, though, was the season-high four walks that he issued — one came around to score on the Myers triple in the sixth and the other was his last batter of the game. Prior to Wednesday’s game, he hadn’t walked more than a single batter in an outing and walked four batters total in August.
He got himself into a jam in the second inning, hitting lead-off man Cronenworth. Nola then singled to put runners on second and third, but Abraham Almonte grounded out. With runners on second and third with one out, Jurickson Profar walked to load the bases. Senza was able to get out of said jam, though, but getting Trent Grisham to line out to short and Fernando Tatís, Jr. to ground into a fielder’s choice.
#MustSeeKinley
After Senzatela was lifted in the fifth inning, Tyler Kinley entered to pitch the sixth and seventh innings. In those two innings, “Must See” Kinley did not allow a single hit or run and struck out two batters. Of his 15 pitches, 11 were strikes.
Hello? Offense?
The biggest blemish on the whole game was the lack of Rockies offense. The lineup combined for eight hits, but only three scored. They also combined for 12 strikeouts for a total of 49 in the three games against the Padres. Their first six outs in this game were by way of the K.
Charlie Blackmon and Elias Díaz were the only starters to record multiple hits (2). Tapia, Fuentes, and Hampson were all held hitless.
The most striking thing, though, was the fact that the Rockies did not record back-to-back hits or baserunners. They had a few innings with one out between runners, but that’s not great to see.
Up next
The Rockies have Thursday off before starting their final home stand on Friday against the Los Angeles Angels. Germán Márquez will be the Rockies starter against a yet-to-be-named Angels starter. First pitch is at 6:40pm MT.