Rockies 11, Padres 10
Rockies 11, Padres 10: Chris Nelson belted a three-run homer in the seventh inning to erase a deficit as host Colorado overcame career performances by San Diego's Chase Headley and Alexi Amarista to clinch the series with a wild victory.
After Tyler Colvin and Ramon Hernandez hit two-run shots during a seven-run third that gave the Rockies a 7-3 lead, San Diego bounced back to score the game's next six runs. But with runners on second and third and one out in the seventh, Nelson rudely greeted Brad Brach (1-4) by drilling his 1-1 pitch over the wall in center field for his seventh blast.
Colorado added two crucial runs in the eighth en route to its 14th win in 20 games. Headley collected a career-high six RBIs in the losing effort, hitting a two-run homer in the first inning, a two-run single in the fourth and RBI base hits in both the third and sixth.
Amarista co-highlighted a 20-hit effort by going 5-for-5 with two RBIs for San Diego, which has dropped two straight after winning 10 of 11.
Trailing 3-0, the Rockies erupted for seven runs in the third against Padres rookie Casey Kelly. Jonathan Herrera drew a leadoff walk and scored two batters later on Dexter Fowler's single.
Jordan Pacheco tied the game later in the frame with a two-run double and Colvin followed with his 17th home run for a 5-3 advantage. Nelson reached on an error by second baseman Amarista before Hernandez launched his fifth blast to cap the uprising.
Guillermo Moscoso (1-1) retired the only batter he faced in the seventh to notch the win and Rafael Betancourt allowed three consecutive two-out singles before nailing down his 27th save.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Starter Jeff Francis made two of the three outs in Colorado's seven-run third inning. ... After an impressive major-league debut, Kelly struggled in his second start. Kelly, who tossed six scoreless innings against Atlanta on Monday, was tagged for seven runs - five earned - and eight hits over 5 2/3 frames versus the Rockies. ... Colorado activated RHP Edgmer Escalona from the 15-day disabled list. The reliever, who had been sidelined with inflammation in his right triceps tendon, went 0-1 with an 11.88 ERA in nine appearances earlier this season.