DENVER (AP) — Fernando Tatis Jr. and Xander Bogaerts hit home runs in the fifth inning, part of a five-homer game for San Diego, and the Padres routed the scuffling Colorado Rockies 21-0 on Saturday night.
Jake Cronenworth, Gavin Sheets and Jason Heyward also went deep for San Diego. The Padres set season highs in runs and hits (24) for the second straight game while sending Colorado to its eighth straight loss.
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Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black, left, takes the ball from starting pitcher Bradley Blalock, right, who is pulled from the mound after giving up a two-run home run to San Diego Padres' Jason Heyward in the fourth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 10, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Juan Mejia reacts after giving up a three-run home run to San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. in the fifth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 10, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Diego Padres' Jason Heyward gestures to the bullpen as he circles the bases after hitting a two-run home run off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Bradley Blalock in the fourth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 10, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. reacts to a high inside pitch by Colorado Rockies reliever Juan Mejia in the fourth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 10, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Diego Padres' Gavin Sheets, right, congratulates Jake Cronenworth who returns to the dugout after hitting a solo home urn off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Bradley Blalock in the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 10, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Rockies, who are 6-33, matched the 1988 Baltimore Orioles for the worst 39-game start in the majors in 130 years. Baltimore finished 54-107 that season.
Stephen Kolek (2-0) tossed a shutout in his second major league start. He cruised through Colorado’s lineup, allowing five hits and struck out seven.
The only time he faced trouble was in the sixth when the Rockies had runners on the corners with one out but he induced Hunter Goodman into an inning-ending double play.
Sheets homered off Bradley Blalock (0-2) in the five-run first inning and Heyward hit a three-run shot in the fourth when San Diego sent 12 men to the plate. The Padres scored at least one run through the first six innings.
Jackson Merrill had four hits and Elias Díaz and Luis Arraez finished with three hits apiece. Eight batters recorded at least two hits for San Diego.
Colorado catcher Jacob Stallings tossed the final two innings. He gave up a run in the eighth and struck out Díaz looking to start the ninth.
Merrill, who went 4-for-6, has five straight multihit games, tied with Philadelphia’s Trea Turner for the longest active streak in the majors. Merrill, who missed a month with a right hamstring strain, is batting .538 since returning to the lineup Tuesday.
RHP Nick Pivetta (5-1, 2.01 ERA) starts the final game of the series for the Padres while Germán Márquez (0-9, 9.90) starts for the Rockies.
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Colorado Rockies manager Bud Black, left, takes the ball from starting pitcher Bradley Blalock, right, who is pulled from the mound after giving up a two-run home run to San Diego Padres' Jason Heyward in the fourth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 10, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Juan Mejia reacts after giving up a three-run home run to San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. in the fifth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 10, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Diego Padres' Jason Heyward gestures to the bullpen as he circles the bases after hitting a two-run home run off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Bradley Blalock in the fourth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 10, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Diego Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. reacts to a high inside pitch by Colorado Rockies reliever Juan Mejia in the fourth inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 10, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
San Diego Padres' Gavin Sheets, right, congratulates Jake Cronenworth who returns to the dugout after hitting a solo home urn off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Bradley Blalock in the third inning of a baseball game Saturday, May 10, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
NARA, Japan (AP) — In Japan's ancient capital, Nara, deer moved through grass fields and shaded paths, lowering their heads toward visitors holding special crackers made just for them.
Nara this week hosted a Japan–South Korea summit, with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who is from the city, welcoming South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.
But despite the high-level diplomacy, the deer were still stars of the show.
Tourists around the park stopped to watch or feed the animals with crackers, sold by vendors, that are made from flour and rice husks.
When the deer fix their gazes on visitors, many responded by pulling out crackers and stepping closer.
Not all encounters were gentle. Some deer nudged visitors from behind, sniffing backpacks and shopping bags. Others tried to nibble at coat pockets or chew at clothing when they suspected food was hidden there.
Some visitors hesitated, appearing nervous, but fed the deer anyway. As the animals stepped closer, many tourists recoiled, taking a step back or letting out brief screams. Others lifted their phones to take pictures.
More than 1,000 deer live in the park and surrounding areas. They roam freely across lawns, sidewalks and temple grounds, resting under trees or gathering near food stalls. A few deer were seen wandering into nearby shops.
The deer are protected and are considered sacred according to local Shinto beliefs. Legend has it that a deity arrived in Nara riding a white deer more than a thousand years ago.
Nara was Japan’s first permanent capital in the eighth century and is home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Todaiji temple and Kasuga shrine.
This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Deer stroll at a Torii shrine gate at Kasuga Taisha shrine in Nara, western Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, where more than 1,000 free-roaming deer considered sacred in Shinto belief have become one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
A deer walks into a shop at a park in Nara, western Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, where more than 1,000 free-roaming deer considered sacred in Shinto belief have become one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Deer wait for food from tourists at a park in Nara, western Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, where more than 1,000 free-roaming deer considered sacred in Shinto belief have become one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Deer are fed by a staff at a park in Nara, western Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, where more than 1,000 free-roaming deer considered sacred in Shinto belief have become one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
A deer waits for food from tourists at a park in Nara, western Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, where more than 1,000 free-roaming deer considered sacred in Shinto belief have become one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
A deer stands in a park in Nara, western Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, near a banner reading "Welcome Japan-South Korea Summit Meeting" hoisted at a public building.(AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
A deer waits for food from tourists near Todaiji temple, in Nara, western Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, where more than 1,000 free-roaming deer considered sacred in Shinto belief have become one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
A tourist feeds deer at a park, in Nara, western Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, where more than 1,000 free-roaming deer considered sacred in Shinto belief have become one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Tourists pose for their selfie as a deer waits for food at a park, in Nara, western Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, where more than 1,000 free-roaming deer considered sacred in Shinto belief have become one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
A deer pokes its head into a tourist's bag while looking for food at a park, in Nara, western Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, where more than 1,000 free-roaming deer considered sacred in Shinto belief have become one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
A deer peeks behind of a sign at a park in Nara, western Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, where more than 1,000 free-roaming deer considered sacred in Shinto belief have become one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Deer stroll at a park in Nara, western Japan, early Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, where more than 1,000 free-roaming deer considered sacred in Shinto belief have become one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Police officers stand guard as a deer walks by in Nara, western Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Deer wait for food from tourists at a park in Nara, western Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, where more than 1,000 free-roaming deer considered sacred in Shinto belief have become one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
A deer rests at Todaiji temple in Nara, western Japan, Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in Nara, western Japan, as police officers walk by. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
