Tommy Pham hit a three-run homer in the ninth after Fernando Tatis Jr. tied it with two outs, and the San Diego Padres rallied for an 8-7 win over Colorado on Friday night to spoil the Rockies' home opener.
Pham sent a fastball from closer Wade Davis (0-1) over the left-center wall on a 3-2 count to give the Padres an 8-5 lead. Davis got two quick outs in the inning before Tatis took him deep.
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Tommy Pham hit a three-run homer in the ninth after Fernando Tatis Jr. tied it with two outs, and the San Diego Padres rallied for an 8-7 win over Colorado on Friday night to spoil the Rockies' home opener.
Craig Stammen (1-0) threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings to earn the win, while Kirby Yates made things interesting in the ninth. Yates surrendered a run-scoring single to Charlie Blackmon and then walked Ryan McMahon with the bases loaded to make it 8-7. He was taken out for Drew Pomeranz, who got pinch-hitter Chris Owings to fly out to earn his second save.
The Padres overcame Blackmon hitting his first homer of the season, a two-run shot in the first, along with Trevor Story's solo homer in the seventh that gave Colorado a one-run lead. Pinch-hitter Matt Kemp also added a two-run double.
David Dahl also had a diving catch in center and Pham an outstretched grab in left during a game delayed for 37 minutes by a predicted rain shower that never materialized.
“We love our fans and love having them out there,” Nolan Arenado said. “It’s disappointing not to see them.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
The Rockies will send lefty Kyle Freeland (1-0, 3.00) to the mound Saturday. He’s 18-14 with a 4.34 ERA in his career at Coors Field. San Diego will counter with left Joey Lucchesi (0-0, 4.91), who allowed a career-high eight earned runs the last time he pitched in Denver on Sept. 13.
It's the second straight night that Pham has come through for the Padres. Pham hit a go-ahead single in the 10th inning as the Padres beat San Francisco under baseball’s new extra-innings format.
San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. jokes with teammates as they line up for introductions before a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies Friday, July 31, 2020, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)
Craig Stammen (1-0) threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings to earn the win, while Kirby Yates made things interesting in the ninth. Yates surrendered a run-scoring single to Charlie Blackmon and then walked Ryan McMahon with the bases loaded to make it 8-7. He was taken out for Drew Pomeranz, who got pinch-hitter Chris Owings to fly out to earn his second save.
San Diego is off to a 6-2 start for the first time since 2009.
The line for Davis read like this: Two outs, four runs, two hits, two walks and two homers. His ERA jumped to 16.88.
San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. heads to the plate to lead off the first inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies Friday, July 31, 2020, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)
The Padres overcame Blackmon hitting his first homer of the season, a two-run shot in the first, along with Trevor Story's solo homer in the seventh that gave Colorado a one-run lead. Pinch-hitter Matt Kemp also added a two-run double.
Stammen's outing gave a struggling bullpen a bit of a boost. It's been a tough stretch for the Padres relievers, who surrendered a four-run lead Wednesday and a five-run lead Thursday. They nearly gave up another.
There were several fielding gems in this game, highlighted by Story’s throw from the seat of his pants near second base with the Padres threatening in the seventh. The ball deflected off reliever Daniel Bard, and Story fell down as he tried to grab it. He threw to first to just get Jake Cronenworth.
Colorado Rockies' Charlie Blackmon, back, is congratulated by Nolan Arenado as Blackmon crosses home plate after hitting a two-run home run off San Diego Padres starting pitcher Garrett Richards in the first inning of a baseball game Friday, July 31, 2020, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)
David Dahl also had a diving catch in center and Pham an outstretched grab in left during a game delayed for 37 minutes by a predicted rain shower that never materialized.
Colorado's home opener featured a virtual first pitch and national anthem, along with a tribute on the video screen to the players from their families and loved ones. There also was a flyover and fireworks.
The only thing missing? Energy from the stands, of course.
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Garrett Richards, front, reacts after giving up a two-run home run to Colorado Rockies' Charlie Blackmon, back, in the first inning of a baseball game Friday, July 31, 2020, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)
“We love our fans and love having them out there,” Nolan Arenado said. “It’s disappointing not to see them.”
ROCKIES ROW
The Blake Street Bombers were watching from behind home plate -- cutout pictures of them anyway. There were photos of Vinny Castilla, Andres Galarraga, Larry Walker, Ellis Burks and Dante Bichette. Along with them were images of Todd Helton and outfielder Ian Demsond, who opted out this season in part because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Colorado Rockies' Sam Hilliard, left, slides safely into home plate to score on a double hit by pinch hitter Matt Kemp as San Diego Padres catcher Austin Hedges turns to apply a alte tag in the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, July 31, 2020, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)
TRAINER’S ROOM
Padres: 1B Eric Hosmer traveled with the team to Denver but missed his third straight game with a stomach illness the team said is not related to COVID-19. “Just hoping he gets better,” manager Jayce Tingler said. “It’s miserable being sick.”
UP NEXT
San Diego Padres' Manny Machado advances from third base to score on a passed ball against the Colorado Rockies in the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, July 31, 2020, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)
The Rockies will send lefty Kyle Freeland (1-0, 3.00) to the mound Saturday. He’s 18-14 with a 4.34 ERA in his career at Coors Field. San Diego will counter with left Joey Lucchesi (0-0, 4.91), who allowed a career-high eight earned runs the last time he pitched in Denver on Sept. 13.
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San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado, right, holds up his glove to show that he tagged out Colorado Rockies' Daniel Murphy as he tries to advacnce from first to third base on a single hit by Ryan McMahon in the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, July 31, 2020, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)