For the first time this season the Padres found a way to beat the Rockies. They just needed to score more than two runs to do it.
Hunter Renfroe and Wil Myers both hit tape measure home runs in a 4-3 Friars win at Coors Field on Saturday night. Renfroe’s monster shot was estimated at 470 feet while Myers was right behind him at 463 feet. Both were solo shots. Interestingly, though, the winning run scored on a ball that didn’t even leave the infield. We’ll get to that in a minute.
San Diego built a 2-0 lead on Renfroe’s dinger and an Eric Hosmer RBI single. Meanwhile Joey Lucchesi was cruising. The lefty took a shutout into the 6th inning when he gave up a double to Trevor Story. After just 71 pitches manager Andy Green pulled his starter.
Green explained that Lucchesi has struggled in the 6th inning and beyond this year (the stats certainly prove this) so it was kind of a pre-emptive strike. Youngster Gerardo Reyes got the next two hitters but Story did score on a Nolan Arenado sacrifice fly to make it a 2-1 game.
Myers unloaded in the 7th inning to make it a 3-1 Padres lead but Brad Wieck gave up a run on an RBI single by Rancho Buena Vista native Tony Wolters to cut the lead to one again. In the 8th inning Craig Stammen gave up a solo homer to Charlie Blackmon and it was all tied 3-3.
That’s when small ball took over. In the 9th inning the Padres loaded the bases on a single and two walks. Valhalla High School alum Greg Garcia hit a nubber to the right side. It was just slow enough for Myers to beat 2nd baseman Garrett Hampson’s throw to the plate and put the Padres on top 4-3.
Closer Kirby Yates made sure there would be no more Colorado comebacks, striking out the side to get his 16th save of the year. The Friars can win the series on Sunday afternoon when rookie Nick Margevicious makes his first career start in Colorado against Antonio Senzatela.
