Adames Powers In Debut For Rockies, Win Series With Padres

Two teams steaming toward the break.  The Padres have been a pleasant surprise.  The Rockies have struggled against expectation.  We'd meet in San Diego, where one game would be a laugher, and 3 would be tense manager duels.  Let's check it out.

GAME 1

Rockies - 16

Padres - 2

Willy Adames debuts for the Rockies, and he hits 2 homers in his first 2 at bats, and drives in 5 runs on the day!  The Rockies scored 5 in the first and would not really need more, and another 5-run inning in the 6th, capped by an unlikely Ildemaro Vargas homer, would salt it away.

WP - Snell  LP - Lopez  SV - Rea   HR - Adames (2), Duvall, Mitchell, Vargas

GAME 2

Rockies - 2

Padres - 0

The Rockies would put up 13 hits in this one, but stranded 15 runners on base and could never escape.  We would use four singles in the 1st to plate a run and a Vientos homer in the 2nd to make it 2-0, but we'd never truly escape.  But Rhett Lowder, making his last start, really was the man.  He tossed 8 innings, allowing 3 scattered singles and no walks.  So despite not being able to run away, the Rocks get the W.

WP - Lowder  LP - Fried  SV - Jimenez  HR - Vientos

GAME 3

Rockies - 4

Padres - 5  f11

The Padres would quickly get their first lead of the series, using a pair of homers to grab a 3-1 lead early.  The Rockies would respond with a big 3-run Pavin Smith homer in the 3rd, and the Padres would get a clutch RBI double by Brian McCann in the 4th.  The game stood at 4-4 after 4.  And it stayed there!  The Rockies would put a bunch of men on in innings 5-10, but would hit into double plays EVERY INNING in innings 7-10, which would fortell doom.  Doom came with one out in the 11th, when Randal Grichuk hit a straight homer on his card.  Padres walk it off.

WP - Ross  LP Leahy   HR - P. Smith, Grichuk (2)

GAME 4

Rockies - 3

Padres - 2

The Rockies used long balls by Pederson and Thomas to grab a 3-0 lead, and then would never really get close to scoring again.  The Padres would claw back.  A Luis Garcis error let Grichuk on in the 5th, and McCann would drive him home before being wiped out on a DP.  Machado would hit an RBI groundout in the 8th.  3-2 in the ninth, the Rockies summon Jose Butto.  And he retires the Padres 1-2-3 for the series win!

WP - McGreevy   LP - Cole  SV - Butto   HR - Thomas, Pederson

The Rockies get to the break at 21-23.  We'll take it.  The Padres are 22-22.  Thanks to Andy for a great series!

Willy Adames is a welcome addition to the Rockies offense.