Padres deliver rally in ninth to top Rockies
DENVER -- The Padres scored three runs in the top of the ninth off Rockies closer Tommy Kahnle, propelling San Diego to a 7-5 win over the Rockies on Saturday night at Coors Field.
With men on second and third, pinch-hitter Brett Wallace delivered the go-ahead single off Kahnle (0-1), who just recently took over the ninth-inning duties. The inning, which began with a Derek Norris double and a Cory Spangenberg bunt single, was extended by a costly throwing error from Nick Hundley. With runners at the corners, Melvin Upton Jr. hit one right in front of the plate, but Hundley threw high to first as the ball bounded into right field. That tied the game, 5-5, in front of Wallace's game-winner. The rally made a winner out of Kevin Quackenbush (2-2), who tossed a scoreless eighth. Craig Kimbrel picked up his 33rd save.
"I liked the fact that the guys on the bench responded. Spangenberg, Wallace," Padres interim manager Pat Murphy said.
Colorado's bullpen struggles spoiled another strong start from heralded prospect Jon Gray, who gave up just four hits and one run over five innings in his second home start. Gray's pitch limit is strict, and he came out after just 69 pitches.
Video: SD@COL: Weiss on Gray's start in loss to Padres
"The biggest thing is to stay composed out there," Gray said. "I really try not to show emotion. If I make a bad pitch, pretending that I meant to throw that. I'm not showing any emotion, and I'm just executing pitches. It's working out so far."
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Video: SD@COL: Gyorko doubles in a pair to put Padres ahead
Hot August Nights: Jedd Gyorko had a go-ahead RBI single in the sixth inning to give the Padres a 4-3 lead. It marked his 10th RBI in the last four games. He's had at least one hit in 10 of the Padres 13 games this month and 13 RBIs for August.
Bullpen blues: The Rockies' bullpen entered with an MLB-worst 4.68 ERA, and it showed again on Saturday. Gonzalez Germen allowed three runs in the sixth inning, which marked the 12th time in the last 13 games that Colorado's bullpen has given up at least one run. Kahnle's struggles, meanwhile, signaled the Rockies' fifth loss this season when leading after eight innings.
"Losing games late always is [frustrating]," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "Couldn't keep a lead."
Video: SD@COL: Norris nabs Blackmon attempting to steal
Cannon for an arm: Norris threw out his counterpart, Hundley, as he tried to steal second base in the fourth inning. He then threw out Jose Reyes trying to do the same in the fifth inning. Finally, he caught Charlie Blackmon in the eighth inning. He now has a Major League-best 31 CCS (catcher caught stealing) of the season. That's the most in the big leagues by anyone since 2012.
"I think teams keep running on him because our pitching staff doesn't always hold runners the best. It backfired tonight. It was pretty impressive," Murphy said.
Video: SD@COL: Norris scores on error to tie game in the 9th
I know you: Throwing error aside, Hundley had a solid day against his former team. He delivered singles in each of his first three at-bats -- the last of which came with two outs in the sixth and handed Colorado a 5-4 advantage. Hundley has been one of the Rockies' most consistent offensive weapons, but the RBI knock was just his fifth this season with two outs and runners in scoring position.
The throwing error, though is what stuck.
"That's a play you need to make 100 percent of the time," Hundley said. "No excuse for that. You've got to make a play and give us a chance to win. Rushed the throw, and it cost us the game."
OFF THE BENCH
Video: SD@COL: Spangenberg beats throw to first
Murphy went to his bench in the ninth inning with the Padres trailing, 5-4. First, Spangenberg came up big after he was awarded a hit on an overturned call when he put down a bunt. That got the inning rolling. Later, Wallace came off the bench to add an RBI single as the Padres scored three runs. More >
QUOTABLE
Video: SD@COL: Alonso inadvertently hit by Upton's helmet
"I was just watching the game and felt something just hit me right across the head. But it's part of the game. Guys get upset. I'm fine. Luckily, everything checked out well. We're going to move on." -- Padres first baseman Yonder Alonso, who was hit on the right side of his head by a helmet thrown by teammate Justin Upton. Alonso left the game, but had no concussion symptoms.
REPLAY REVIEW
The Padres were successful in getting a critical call overturned in the top of the ninth inning, as Spangenberg put down a bunt to move Derek Norris to third base. Spangenberg was initially called out but the called was quickly overturned and he was awarded a base hit. That led to a big inning, as the Padres scored two runs to take the lead.
WHAT'S NEXT
Padres: Ian Kennedy (7-10, 4.37) gets the start in Sunday's finale against the Rockies at 1:10 p.m. PT. He allowed two runs over six innings in a victory over Colorado at Petco Park on May 1.
Rockies: Left-hander Chris Rusin gets the ball in Sunday's series finale against the Padres at 2:10 p.m. MT. Rusin delivered arguably his best outing of the season in his last start, yielding just one run over six frames in a battle with the Mets' Matt Harvey.
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