SAN DIEGO -- How, exactly, do the Padres move past a scoreless Opening Series and an offensive funk that has spanned a record 27 innings? Well, they'll pack their bags and head to Coors Field -- the best hitter's park in baseball and a haven for slumping offenses.
The message in the clubhouse following a 7-0 loss to the Dodgers was simply that it's time to turn the page. The Padres' hitters, while obviously disappointed with the early-season results, maintained Wednesday that it's only a matter of time until the bats awaken.
The Padres are the first team in big league history to be shut out in three games to open the season. They'd like that streak to end Friday in Denver when they begin a three-game series.
"We've got to keep working," said Padres center fielder Jon Jay. "It's a long season. Obviously every game counts, but this isn't a showing of what this team can do and what it's capable of. We all expect more out of ourselves, and we're going to do that."
San Diego manager Andy Green did not address the team following the defeat. He'll give his players Thursday's off-day to regroup before talking with them collectively in Colorado.
What message does he plan to give his hitters?
"The fact is, you can win each pitch," Green said. "When you win each pitch, you win each at-bat, and when you win each at-bat, with quality at-bats, you start moving the needle and the team starts scoring runs. I think what you see right now -- like I said yesterday -- it's just more collective pressing."
San Diego first baseman Wil Myers concurred.
"I'll be the first to admit that I'm definitely guilty of that."
As for the trip to Colorado, he thinks that could be just what the offense needs, Myers said.
"I think everybody's excited about that -- to go to a really hitter-friendly environment. We got stuck with three really good pitchers here, and they all threw the ball really well. Everybody's excited to move on," Myers said.
On three separate occasions Wednesday, the Padres put a runner in scoring position with fewer than two outs. Cory Spangenberg came closest to scoring, but was tagged out at home plate on a fielder's choice in the sixth -- a play that was reviewed and still didn't seem to show a definitive angle. The umpires ruled the call would stand.
Spangenberg said he expects the offense's "confidence level to pick up" as a result of the trip to hitter-friendly Coors Field. As for putting the first three games in the past, he doesn't think that should be difficult.
"You play 162 games," Spangenberg said. "If you can't [wipe the slate clean], you're probably not going to be playing for too long."