The Colorado Rockies have been excellent in the first game of a series so far in 2017. That is, except against the San Diego Padres. Thirteen times this year Colorado has won the first game of a series. They’ve lost a series opener just six times, but three of those losses came at the hands of San Diego, including on Friday night. Colorado blew a three-run lead and the Padres won their fifth straight game, an 8-5 final at Petco Park.
Colorado jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the third inning thanks to three hits in the inning and a San Diego error. Rockies starter German Marquez extended the lead in the fourth with a sac bunt, but he would give all those runs back in the bottom of the inning. Marquez then surrendered a two-run home run to Yangervis Solarte in the fifth and the Padres would not trail again. Solarte was one of five Padres with multiple hits on the night. They would total 14 in the game.
The Rockies managed 13 hits of their own against Clayton Richard and a Padres bullpen that has been lights out of late, Colorado left 10 men on base and struck out 14 times. Austin Hedges and Wil Myers also homered for San Diego. Allen Cordoba was a home run away from the cycle. Nolan Arenado went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and an RBI to lead Colorado. Ian Desmond, Trevor Story and Tony Wolters all had two hits apiece.
The Rockies continue the series, their last of the year with the Padres, with afternoon games on Saturday and Sunday. Tyler Chatwood (4-7, 5.04 ERA) will try and rebound from a tough outing last time out for Colorado. Former Rockie Jhoulys Chacin (4-4, 5.77 ERA) will start for San Diego. With the loss on Friday, Colorado falls out of first place in the National League West. The Dodgers are a half-game ahead of Colorado and Arizona.