Padres at Rockies
The Colorado Rockies look to bounce back from a rare Coors Field shutout when they open a three-game series against the visiting San Diego Padres on Monday. The Rockies are an even 5-5 after dropping two of three against Atlanta over the weekend, including Sunday’s 4-0 loss.
Colorado scored only six runs in the series and clearly missed Charlie Blackmon on Sunday, when the team’s leadoff hitter and center fielder sat out due to a tight back. Blackmon hopes to return to the lineup Monday against San Diego, which fell to 2-8 after being held to four hits in Sunday’s 4-1 loss at Houston. Center fielder Manuel Margot, who batted leadoff in seven of the team’s first nine games, has five hits in his first 37 at-bats and was moved to the ninth spot for the last two games. The Padres are searching for answers at several positions, including third base, where Christian Villanueva, Cory Spangenberg and Chase Headley are sharing the job with mixed results through 10 games.
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres LH Clayton Richard (0-1, 4.50 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Jon Gray (1-1, 2.45)
Richard tossed seven innings of one-run ball on Opening Day against Milwaukee but struggled early versus Colorado last Wednesday, allowing five runs in the first two innings. The 34-year-old settled in and exited after five innings, permitting five runs on eight hits with six strikeouts. Chris Iannetta is 6-for-17 with two home runs against Richard, who has gone 5-7 with a 5.38 ERA in 20 career games (19 starts) against Colorado.
After lasting just four innings and taking the loss in his Opening Day start against Arizona, Gray bounced back with seven shutout frames versus San Diego last Wednesday. The 26-year-old native of Oklahoma struck out seven and issued no walks while throwing 93 pitches to record the victory at Petco Park. Gray is 5-2 with a 2.15 ERA in 11 career starts against the Padres and owns a 12-4 record in 27 career outings at Coors Field.
WALK-OFFS
1. Padres SS Freddy Galvis is batting .364 and has reached base safely in each of the team’s first 10 games.
2. Colorado RHP Bryan Shaw is one strikeout shy of 400 for his career.
3. San Diego RHP Kirby Yates missed Sunday’s game with a right ankle injury but is expected to avoid the disabled list.