|
 In fact, the Padres starter lost his no-hit bid and shutout to
the Rockies' fifth hitter when Justin Morneau drove a changeup 411
feet beyond the fence in right-center.
Even so, Cashner held Colorado to two runs (one earned) on nine hits
over 7 1/3 innings, and the Padres defeated the Rockies 4-2 at Petco
Park.
"Cashner worked his way through that game," said Padres manager Bud
Black. "Overall, it was a well-pitched game. He had good movement
and location. His intent is to throw strikes, get outs and not give
up runs. He was pitching as the aggressor."
The Padres tied the game on Tommy Medica's second-inning homer and
took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth — scoring the go-ahead
on a passed ball just two days after they defeated the Rockies when
two runs scored on a combination wild pitch/error.
Medica started in left field for the Padres because they were facing
a left-handed starter (Jorge De La Rosa) for the first time since
Opening Day.
"I thought the Medica homer was crucial," said Black. "I didn't want
to let De La Rosa get in the front-running position. He's always
been tough on us. Tommy's homer swung the momentum back to us."
In the fifth, third baseman Alexi Amarista started the two-run rally
with a one-out, drag-bunt single to the right side and was
sacrificed to second by Cashner. Shortstop Everth Cabrera hit a high
chopper off the plate for an infield single, putting runners at
first and third. Amarista scored the go-ahead run when a De La Rosa
slider got through catcher Jordan Pacheco for a passed ball.
Outfielder Chris Denorfia then doubled down the right field line — the only ball hit out of the infield in the inning — scoring
Cabrera from second to make it 3-1. Denorfia singled home the Padres
fourth run in the seventh.
The turning point came in the top of the sixth when the Rockies
loaded the bases against Cashner on three straight, one-out singles — two of which were grounders that Amarista, who was subbing for
Chase Headley, couldn't handle at third.
Cashner got catcher Jordan Pacheco to ground to Cabrera, who
converted an inning-ending double play.
[to top of second column] |
"I threw Pacheco five straight inside sinkers," said Cashner.
"He's got a real hard sinker and it came into play against Pacheco,"
said Rockies manager Walt Weiss. "You don't get many opportunities
against a guy like that."
"I thought my sinker was good tonight," said Cashner (2-1, 1.27 ERA
in four starts). "I thought my command slipped later."
Right-hander Huston Street picked up his fifth save.
De La Rosa (0-3) gave up three runs, two earned, on seven hits over
six innings. His ERA fell from 9.69 to 7.57 after his best outing of
the season.
NOTES: Rockies 1B Justin Morneau finished 3-for-3. ... Padres 3B
Chase Headley missed Wednesday's game with a right biceps strain. 1B
Yonder Alonso took grounders at third just in case Headley is more
than day-to-day. ... Padres RHP Casey Kelly, rehabbing from 2013
Tommy John surgery, successfully completed a simulated game in
Arizona. He might make one more simulated start before starting a
rehab assignment. ... Padres LF Carlos Quentin took live batting
practice for a third straight day but has yet to run on the bone
bruise in his left knee, ruling out the possibility of starting a
rehab assignment this weekend.
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