Padres at Rockies
After receiving the strong pitching performance they sorely needed, the Colorado Rockies attempt to take a two-game lead in the season series when they host the San Diego Padres on Wednesday afternoon for the rubber match of their three-game set. Colorado bounced back from a 13-5 drubbing in the opener with an 8-0 triumph on Tuesday to even this series and give it a 5-4 edge in the season matchup.
Kyle Freeland combined with two relievers on the shutout, scattering three hits over seven innings, after the Rockies allowed double digits in runs in three of their previous five contests and nine in another. Trevor Story homered in his second straight contest, belting a grand slam in the second inning as Colorado improved to 2-3 on its six-game homestand - half of Story's six blasts this season have come against the Padres. Eric Lauer did not fare well for San Diego in his major-league debut, surrendering seven runs on six hits and four walks over three innings, but recorded one of the team's four hits. Franchy Cordero went from hero to zero as he struck out in all four of his at-bats on Tuesday after belting a two-run homer that put the Padres ahead for good in the series opener.
TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, FS San Diego
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Tyson Ross (2-1, 2.81 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Jon Gray (1-4, 7.09)
Ross looks to produce his third consecutive stellar performance after allowing two runs - one earned - and eight hits while registering 15 strikeouts over 13 2/3 innings in his previous two starts. The 31-year-old Californian settled for a no-decision at Arizona in Friday despite striking out 10 while keeping the Diamondbacks hitless for 7 2/3 frames before yielding a run-scoring double and exiting. Ross owns a disappointing 1-5 record and 3.54 ERA in 12 career appearances against Colorado, with all five losses coming at Coors Field.
Gray has been battered in each of his last three starts, going 0-3 while surrendering 19 runs and 26 hits over 15 2/3 innings. The 26-year-old native of Oklahoma's latest poor effort came on Friday, when he yielded seven runs - six earned - on eight hits and three walks in five frames against the Chicago Cubs. Gray is 5-3 with a 2.88 ERA and the only complete game of his career - a shutout - in 12 starts versus San Diego.
WALK-OFFS
1. Padres 3B Christian Villanueva (hamstring) was kept out of the starting lineup for a second straight game on Tuesday and also could miss the series finale.
2. Colorado purchased the contract of Brooks Pounders from Triple-A Albuquerque, optioned Scott Oberg to the Isotopes and designated fellow RHP Zach Jemiola for assignment.
3. San Diego placed 1B Eric Hosmer on the family medical leave list, purchased the contract of Eric Lauer from Triple-A El Paso and designated fellow LHP Buddy Baumann for assignment.