Rockies at Padres
The Colorado Rockies ended a four-game skid in the series opener and aim to defeat the host San Diego Padres for the second straight night when the teams meet Saturday for the middle contest of their three-game set. Colorado saw its scoreless streak reach 23 innings before producing a much-needed 4-1 victory on Friday.
Nolan Arenado, Ian Desmond and Trevor Story belted solo homers to help the Rockies post a win that leaves them 1 1/2 games ahead of St. Louis and two in front of Milwaukee for the National League's second wild-card berth. Arenado's blast was his 35th of the season and raised his RBI count to 126, seven shy of last season's career-best total. San Diego has won four of its last six games despite the loss on Friday, when it recorded five singles among its seven hits. The Padres have scored the fewest amount of runs in the majors (583) and have just two players with more than 60 RBIs - Wil Myers (72) and Yangervis Solarte (61).
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado), FSN San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Chad Bettis (1-3, 6.23 ERA) vs. Padres RH Jhoulys Chacin (12-10, 4.12)
Bettis recorded just one out against Arizona in his last turn when he gave up five runs, three hits and three walks en route to the loss. The 28-year-old made a valiant return from testicular cancer with seven scoreless innings against Atlanta on Aug. 14 but has allowed five runs in three of his ensuing six outings. Bettis is 3-1 with a 3.00 ERA in 10 career appearances (seven starts) against the Padres and has been roughed up by Myers (6-for-14, one homer, one triple, two doubles).
Chacin, who spent his first five-plus seasons in the majors with Colorado, is making his second appearance against his former club in less than a week. The 29-year-old allowed three runs and five hits in 4 1/3 innings of a no-decision on Sunday in his first start as a visitor at Coors Field and is 0-1 with a 5.23 ERA in two turns versus the Rockies this year. Chacin has been superb at Petco Park this season, posting an 8-3 record, 1.91 ERA and .182 batting average against.
WALK-OFFS
1. Rockies C Jonathan Lucroy has recorded a trio of three-hit performances in his last six games, with two coming against the Padres.
2. San Diego LF/3B Cory Spangenberg is 5-for-44 without an RBI over his last 14 contests.
3. Colorado RF Carlos Gonzalez is 0-for-6 with five strikeouts and two walks in the series.