James Shields pitched pretty well in the month of April but poor run support and a few homers by the opposition saddled him with a 0-4 record out the gate.
May is off to a much better start.
Matt Kemp’s 2-run double proved to be just enough offense to help Shields and the Padres beat Colorado 2-1 on Monday night.
Kemp owns the Rockies. He is a career .314 hitter (177-for-564) against Colorado with 40 doubles, seven triples, 40 homers, 135 RBI and 105 runs scored.
Shields maneuvered his way through 6 innings by scattering 9 hits but only allowing one run.
He threw 100 pitches and was helped in the 4th inning by a double play turned by Alexei Ramirez.
The Rockies scratched together one run in the frame but were held at bay the rest of the way.
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That’s because the bullpen was on point.
Ryan Buchter and his fastball were fantastic. Buchter struck out the side in the 7th and even hung around to punch out his 4th victim with a K of Carlos Gonzalez in the 8th.
Brandon Maurer then entered and coerced the next two outs, setting up closer Fernando Rodney to do his thing in the 9th.
Rodney quickly sent his 5th imaginary arrow into the San Diego skyline after nailing down his 5th save of the year. He has yet to allow an earned run this season.
San Diego continues its 7-game homestand Tuesday against the Rockies.
Andrew Cashner takes the mound at 7:10 p.m. with Eddie Butler getting the nod for Colorado.
