Xander Bogaerts has season-high 3 hits, Padres beat Rockies 5-2

DENVER (AP) — Xander Bogaerts had a season-high three hits, Matt Waldron gave up one run in six innings and the San Diego Padres beat the Colorado Rockies 5-2 on Wednesday night.

“Getting ahead was the name of my game today,” Waldron said. “(Catcher Kyle Higashioka) and I executed well and the offense did what they do. It’s awesome. It was a fun win. Hopefully, we can keep it rolling.”

Ha-Seong Kim and Jackson Merrill had two RBIs to help the Padres beat the Rockies for the 11th time in their past 14 meetings. Kim had two hits, including a bloop double to right field that drove in the game’s first two runs and spurred a four-run first inning.

“When (Colorado starter) Ty (Blach) is on, he’s hitting his spots,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “The first inning, he didn’t. Then the baseball got him with the blooper. Really good pitch to Kim and then it’s just the little dorker right down the right field line. That’s baseball.”

Waldron (1-2) rebounded from his worst outing of the season, a loss against Toronto in which he allowed five runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings. With four runs on the board before he took the mound for the first time, Waldron got some much-needed run support after San Diego scored just seven runs in his previous four starts.

“Credit goes to Waldron,” Padres manager Mike Shildt said. “He was very, very good. All pitches working. He mixed it in masterfully and had command of it. It was really filthy.”

Robert Suarez picked up his ninth save of the season, retiring the Rockies in order on seven pitches.

The multi-hit outing was the second in the past four games for Bogaerts, who entered Wednesday night batting just .198.

The game was the 25th consecutive to start this season in which the Rockies have trailed at some point. They’re only the second team to reach that mark since 1900, joining the 1910 St. Louis Browns.

In his first start of the season, Blach (3-4) took the loss for the Rockies, giving up four runs and five hits in five innings.

“I think I had a pretty good feel in the first inning,” Blach said. “I made a lot of really good pitches with two strikes. They battled and fouled them off. It’s just kind of one of those things where I wouldn’t really change anything.”

Ryan McMahon and Elias Díaz each hit solo home runs to center field for Colorado, which left six runners on base, including three in the fourth inning when it had the bases loaded with just one out before a pop-up and groundout ended the threat.

The Rockies have been outscored 35-7 in the first inning this season, the most runs allowed by any team in the first inning. It finished with two runs or fewer for the eighth time in the past 10 games, despite five of those contests taking place at hitter-friendly Coors Field.

UP NEXT

Colorado RHP Dakota Hudson (0-4, 5.06 ERA) was set to face RHP Randy Vásquez (0-1, 1.80) in the fourth and final game of the series.

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Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Ty Blach adjusts his cap as he waits to confer with pitching coach Darryl Scott during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

San Diego Padres' Eguy Rosario tosses his bat after connecting for an RBI single against Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Ty Blach during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

San Diego Padres' Jurickson Profar, left, confers with manager Mike Shildt during the second inning of the team's baseball game against the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Victor Vodnik works against the San Diego Padres during the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

San Diego Padres' Jurickson Profar scores against the Colorado Rockies during the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. reacts after flying out against Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Ty Blach during the second inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

San Diego Padres' Xander Bogaerts singles against Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Anthony Molina in the seventh inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

San Diego Padres relief pitcher Yuki Matsui works against the Colorado Rockies in the seventh inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

San Diego Padres relief pitcher Robert Suarez gestures after the Padres defeated the Colorado Rockies in a baseball game Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

San Diego Padres relief pitcher Wandy Peralta works against the Colorado Rockies in the eighth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Andy Pages had a walkoff single in the 11th inning for his fourth hit of the game and the Los Angeles Dodgers outlasted the Atlanta Braves 4-3 on Friday night.

Gavin Stone pitched well and Teoscar Hernandez homered in a matchup of two of baseball’s best teams. Austin Riley and Ronald Acuna Jr. homered for the Braves.

With Will Smith on second base in the 11th, Atlanta manager Brian Snitker intentionally walked Max Muncy. Teoscar Hernandez hit into a fielder’s choice and Pages, who battled Jesse Chavez (1-1) to a full count in an at-bat that lasted eight pitches.

“I was very happy to be able to do that,” Pages said through an interpreter. “My first career walkoff and just to be able to help the team win.”

Michael Grove (1-1) got the victory, retiring the side in the 11th. Orlando Arcia hit a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning for Atlanta to score Luke Williams from second.

The Dodgers answered in the bottom of the 10th. Shohei Ohtani singled to center field to score Chris Taylor from second. Ohtani was 1 for 2 with two walks and a stolen base, his seventh of the season.

Stone pitched six strong innings and allowed just one run. He struck out five and allowed five hits. The 25-year-old Stone, who made just eight appearances in his first year in the majors last season, is making strides in the Dodgers rotation, especially with Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler, Dustin May and Bobby Miller out with injuries.'

“Way different,” Stone said of his outing this year versus last year against the Braves. “I’m way more confident on the mound and way more confident in my pitches. Yeah, just way different.”

Charlie Morton allowed two earned runs in six innings, scattering five hits and striking out five. Riley homered in the first inning, a 449-foot solo shot to left, which was his third of the season and first since April 7.

Two batters before, Acuna, who has struggled offensively this season, singled to short center field but later got picked off second base. In trying to get back to second, he stumbled and then hobbled on his right foot back to the dugout but stayed in the game and homered in the eighth inning to tie it at 2. In the third inning, Smith hit a run-scoring single to score Ohtani to tie it. Teoscar Hernandez hit a go-ahead solo home run to right field in the fourth inning. It was Hernandez’s seventh home run of the season.

“Watching (Pages) play, watching him develop these couple of weeks since he’s been up here, he’s a great guy and he’s always asking how to get better,” Hernandez said. “Just trying to be a better player, even better. And today he showed it. He’s made for big moments. He’s not afraid to go out there and have success at any moment.”

In the second inning, Jarrad Kelenic made a great throw from left field, an absolute perfect dart to catcher Travis d’Arnaud, to get a sliding Pages out at home plate. Acuna could be turning a corner on his struggles, perhaps gaining momentum with that homer.

“He’s still doing OK. He’s adding a lot to what we’re doing,” Snitker said before the game. “He’s scoring a lot of runs and making plays. He got a few hits the other day. He’s going to be fine.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Braves: C Sean Murphy (oblique strain) is starting to swing a bat and is doing catching drills, according to Snitker.

Dodgers: LHP Clayton Kershaw (left shoulder) played catch with Walker Buehler Friday and threw his first bullpen since surgery six months ago … RHP Bobby Miller (right shoulder inflammation) threw off the mound … RHP Walter Buehler (Tommy John surgery) will make his first start in almost two years on Monday against the Marlins.

UP NEXT

Braves RHP Bryce Elder (1-0, 1.50 ERA) makes his third start of the season Saturday, opposing Dodgers RHP Tyler Glasnow (5-1, 2.72 ERA).

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

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani singles during the tenth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. Chris Taylor scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) throws to first after outting Los Angeles Dodgers' Andy Pages (84) during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. runs the bases after hitting a home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuna Jr. returns to the dugout after hitting a home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani reacts after a single during the tenth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. Chris Taylor scored. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Andy Pages singles during the eleventh inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. Will Smith scored. The Dodgers won 4-3. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Andy Pages (84) celebrates with Teoscar Hernández after a single during the eleventh inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. Will Smith scored. The Dodgers won 4-3. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Andy Pages singles during the eleventh inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. Will Smith scored. The Dodgers won 4-3. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Andy Pages (84) leaves the field after a walk-off single during the eleventh inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. Will Smith scored. The Dodgers won 4-3. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Will Smith (16) scores on a walk-off single hit by Andy Pages during the eleventh inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves in Los Angeles, Friday, May 3, 2024. The Dodgers won 4-3. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)