Gyorko hopes to turn page from rough April

SAN DIEGO -- Jedd Gyorko can't pinpoint why the opening month of the season has typically been so troubling for him. But the Padres' second baseman is certain of one thing.

"I definitely like May more than April. My whole career has been like that," Gyorko said.

A career .187 hitter in April, Gyorko managed to put behind him another vexing first month of the season when he drilled a 438-foot pinch-hit, two-run homer to center field in the sixth inning of a 8-6 victory over the Rockies.

"I don't know if I've ever hit one that far," Gyorko said of the ball he hit off of Rockies reliever Brooks Brown.

The home run off Brown, a right-hander, was just Gyorko's fourth hit of the season in 40 at-bats against a righty. It was also his first home run of the season.

"I'm just trying to have good at-bats, keep my hands above the ball. I'm not trying to hit the ball in any specific direction," he said.

Gyorko, who has lost some playing time to Yangervis Solarte, has been working before games with hitting coach Mark Kotsay and assistant hitting coach Alonzo Powell on the mechanics of his swing.

"It's been a work in progress. It's definitely encouraging, obviously you never want to start slow but it's encouraging where my swing is headed," Gyorko said.

The Padres will continue to give Gyorko starts against left-handed pitchers. He will be in the starting lineup Monday in San Francisco against Madison Bumgarner.

"We've seen two slows starts here in '14 and now this year. I think we all know Jedd is a better offensive performer than what he's shown. He's really intensified his work capacity that I think can lead to successful moments like today," said Padres manager Bud Black.