Amazing view of paddy fields in Sichuan

So green!

An aerial view of paddy fields in Xuyong County, Southwest China’s Sichuan Province, Aug. 16, 2018.

The paddy fields stretch for several miles, occasionally separated by roads, and form a spectacular scene.

DENVER (AP) — Pete Fairbanks had a gripe over his grip on the baseball.

For that, he blamed the humidor at Coors Field.

The Tampa Bay Rays' reliever took issue with the variability of the balls Friday after he issued three walks in the ninth inning. That paved the way for Ryan McMahon’s walk-off grand slam as the Colorado Rockies rallied for a 10-7 victory in their home opener.

“They were horrible. You can mark that down in all caps for me — horrible,” Fairbanks said of the baseballs. “No excuse, though.”

The Rockies installed a humidor room at Coors Field in 2002 to control the moisture level in baseballs, which helps keep them from becoming dried out in Denver’s thin air.

It does take some getting used to. The Rays haven’t been in the Mile High City for a series since 2016. The team also is coming from sea level.

“There’s definitely a difference. It’s definitely different,” said Rockies pitcher Peter Lambert, who threw two scoreless innings Friday. “Sometimes, it can be a little more dry and the ball can feel a little more chalky, for sure."

Fairbanks started the ninth by walking Jake Cave, Brendan Rodgers and Nolan Jones. In all, the right-hander threw 17 pitches — five for strikes — without getting an out. He was replaced by Jason Adam, who struck out Kris Bryant before giving up the grand slam to McMahon.

“That’s what happens when you don’t throw strikes,” said Fairbanks, whose team rallied in the ninth from a four-run deficit to take a 7-6 lead. “You get punished for it. So I’d love to see those come out of the humidor tomorrow in a little better shape before they get rubbed up. But there’s nobody to blame but myself for not being able to adjust to some of the quality issues.”

Asked if the baseballs were too wet or dry, Fairbanks responded: “They were just overall bad. I’m not going to elaborate further than that.”

“They were not uniform from ball to ball,” he added. “Just dry, smooth, whatever you want to say.”

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Colorado Rockies' Ryan McMahon looks to the dugout as he heads up the first base line after hitting a walkoff grand slam off Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jason Adam in the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, April 5, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jason Adam reacts after giving up a game-winning grand slam to Colorado Rockies' Ryan McMahon in a baseball game Friday, April 5, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies catcher Elias Díaz, far left, dumps water onto teammates as they mob Ryan McMahon, who crosses home plate after hitting a grand slam off Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jason Adam during the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, April 5, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks follows through on a delivery to a Texas Rangers batter during the ninth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 2, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Colorado Rockies' Ryan McMahon arrives at the plate after hitting a grand slam off Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jason Adam during the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, April 5, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)