Padres 4, Rockies 2: Kemp, Gyorko, Upton start second half with a bang

After an incredibly disappointing first half, the Padres have come home to San Diego with a chip on their shoulder. At eight games under .500 and seven out of a playoff spot, they're playing far below expectations and they know it. Turning things around this late in the season is difficult, but they're starting off the second half right. Matt Kemp, Jedd Gyorko, and Justin Upton all went yard in tonight's victory over the last-place Rockies.

All the runs the Friars needed to win came with two outs in the bottom of the first. Kemp went deep to left center off Jorge de la Rosa. As if that wasn't enough of a gift, Rockies catcher Michael McKenry sent Upton to first on an interference call. That set up Gyorko, who hit a bomb straight over the center field fence. Colorado got one back from James Shields in the fifth when Charlie Blackmon sent a changeup into the Jack Deck. But because he hates odd numbers, Upton hit the fourth homer of the night in the eighth inning to put the good guys up 4-2.

Tyson Ross will try to extend the winning streak to four in a row when he takes the mound at 5:40 PM tomorrow.