Rockies at Padres
The San Diego Padres are off to a 1-5 start and will be without their top outfielder for at least the next week as Wil Myers landed on the 10-day disabled list with right arm nerve irritation. Myers hopes to return when eligible but definitely will be missed by the struggling Padres, who host the Colorado Rockies on Thursday afternoon for the finale of their four-game series.
Colorado's Charlie Blackmon signed a six-year, $108 million contract on Wednesday and celebrated by going 2-for-5 with two runs scored in a 5-2 victory over the Padres, who trailed 5-0 after two innings. Ian Desmond continued his hot start for the Rockies by going 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while Jon Gray recorded seven strikeouts while tossing seven scoreless innings. The Padres were 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position but received another strong performance from Cory Spangenberg, who started in left field and is batting .333 with two home runs. Spangenberg can play multiple positions - including third base, where the Padres are using him along with Chase Headley and Christian Villanueva, who homered three times in Tuesday’s 8-4 victory but went 0-for-3 the following night.
TV: 3:40 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado), FS San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies LH Tyler Anderson (0-0, 27.00 ERA) vs. Padres LH Joey Lucchesi (0-0, 5.79)
Anderson is looking to bounce back after giving up seven runs on five hits and four walks in 2 1/3 innings against Arizona on Friday. “That was uncharacteristic,” manager Bud Black told reporters. “I can't explain it. He might be able to explain it better than I can, but I saw a pitcher that couldn’t locate the fastball.” The 28-year-old native of Las Vegas has gone 1-1 with a 2.00 ERA in three career starts against San Diego.
Lucchesi had mixed results in his major-league debut on Friday against Milwaukee, allowing three runs over 4 2/3 innings while throwing 55 of his 75 pitches for strikes. “It was kind of surreal,” Lucchesi told reporters. “It was pretty cool to be out there, living my dream I've had since I was a boy.” A fourth-round draft pick out of Southeast Missouri State in 2016, the 24-year-old Lucchesi is filling in for Dinelson Lamet (elbow) but could stick in the rotation if he pitches well over the next month.
WALK-OFFS
1. San Diego C Austin Hedges returned Wednesday after missing two games due to back pain and went 0-for-3 while batting eighth.
2. Desmond has hit .363 with seven home runs in his last 19 games at Petco Park.
3. The Padres recalled RHP Phil Maton from Triple-A El Paso to take Myers’ spot on the roster.