Kyle Freeland pitched six innings of two-hit ball and was backed by the superb defense of Trevor Story and Nolan Arenado as the Colorado Rockies beat the San Diego Padres 6-1 on Saturday night.
Freeland (2-0) allowed a two-out single to Tommy Pham in the first and then retired 13 in a row before Francisco Mejia's double in the sixth. The left-hander struck out four and walked one in throwing an economical 83 pitches.
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Kyle Freeland pitched six innings of two-hit ball and was backed by the superb defense of Trevor Story and Nolan Arenado as the Colorado Rockies beat the San Diego Padres 6-1 on Saturday night.
The Denver native rediscovered his form over the offseason by retooling his mechanics. He eliminated the pause in his delivery and added an improved changeup.
Story contributed at the plate as well with a solo shot in the fourth. It was his second straight game with a homer.
Matt Kemp hit a solo homer in the third, his first since signing with the Rockies on July 4. He’s hitting .327 with 22 homers over his career at Coors Field.
The Padres had scored at least three runs in each of their first eight games for the second time in franchise history
“We’ll see where this goes,” Black said.
“It’s not a confidence thing," Yates said. "I still know who I am.”
It marked the 10th time in his career that Freeland has gone six or more innings and allowed no runs.
Colorado Rockies' Nolan Arenado breaks from the batter's box as he grounds out to San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado to end the bottom of the second inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)
The Denver native rediscovered his form over the offseason by retooling his mechanics. He eliminated the pause in his delivery and added an improved changeup.
Through two starts, Freeland's looking more like the 2018 version of himself -- the one who finished fourth in the NL Cy Young race -- than the '19 rendition when he went 3-11 with a 6.73 ERA.
Freeland certainly had plenty of defensive support. Story made a diving catch in the fourth that had Freeland raising his arms in appreciation. In the sixth, the Rockies shortstop thwarted a big inning by stopping a grounder headed up the middle and starting a double play.
San Diego Padres left fielder Edward Olivares, left, tosses his glove in the air while chatting with center fielder Trent Grisham, center, and San Diego Padres right fielder Wil Myers during a pitching change in the second inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)
Story contributed at the plate as well with a solo shot in the fourth. It was his second straight game with a homer.
Arenado showed off his glove, too. The third baseman who’s won seven straight Gold Gloves made a running, over-the-shoulder, sliding catch in deep foul territory.
Arenado had another diving stop in the seventh.
Colorado Rockies' Charlie Blackmon swings for an RBI single as San Diego Padres catcher Francisco Mejia, back right, and home plate umpire Brian Knight watch during the second inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)
Matt Kemp hit a solo homer in the third, his first since signing with the Rockies on July 4. He’s hitting .327 with 22 homers over his career at Coors Field.
Padres lefty Joey Lucchesi (0-1) had a forgettable outing in going 1 2/3 innings and giving up three runs.
Trent Grisham homered to center in the eighth off Rockies reliever Yency Almonte.
Colorado Rockies right fielder Charlie Blackmon casts a shadow as he takes his position in the third inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)
The Padres had scored at least three runs in each of their first eight games for the second time in franchise history
RELIEF, PART I
Rockies manager Bud Black was giving closer Wade Davis the night off after he surrendered four runs on a pair of two-out homers in the ninth Friday. Davis still has a tenuous hold on the job.
Colorado Rockies' Trevor Story, right, reacts to an inside pitch as San Diego Padres catcher Francisco Mejia fields the throw from relief pitcher Cal Quantrill in the sixth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)
“We’ll see where this goes,” Black said.
RELIEF, PART II
An All-Star in 2019, Padres closer Kirby Yates has struggled with his command so far this season. He walked two batters in an inning during two of his three appearances. He did that on three occasions all last season.
Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado watches his throw to first for the out on San Diego Padres' Ty France during the fifth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)
“It’s not a confidence thing," Yates said. "I still know who I am.”
IN-HOUSE FOCUS
Padres manager Jayce Tingler isn’t focusing on all the positive COVID-19 tests around baseball. His attention remains in-house.
Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado catches a foul ball off the bat of San Diego Padres' Trent Grisham in the fifth inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, in Denver. (AP PhotoDavid Zalubowski)
“We’re having enough roller-coasters in our games alone,” Tingler said. “I’ve been happy with our organization staying resilient and managing ourselves and being responsible for one another."
TRAINER’S ROOM
Padres: 1B Eric Hosmer was placed on 10-day injured list due to a stomach ailment. The move is retroactive to Wednesday. His condition is described by the team as gastritis.
Rockies: RHP Scott Oberg (strained back) was scheduled to throw a simulated game Saturday.
UP NEXT
Colorado will throw right-hander Antonio Senzatela (1-0, 3.60 ERA) in the series finale Sunday. The Padres turn to righty Zach Davies (1-0, 3.60).
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