Robbie Erlin keeps Rockies off the board

Robbie Erlin spent all Spring (and all offseason really) fighting for a rotation spot with the San Diego Padres. He didn't get it. The young left-hander began the 2016 with the Padres' Triple-A affiliate, the El Paso Chihuahuas. He was meant to be their no. 1 starter, but yesterday when Minor League Baseball kicked off their 2016 season, it was the recently-acquired Jeremy Guthrie who took the mound in Erlin's place.

This morning we learned that Erlin would be joining the big league club in Colorado, just in time for the first game of the series against the Rockies. In the corresponding move, the Padres placed relief pitcher Matt Thornton on the disabled list with an injury to his left achilles.

While Thornton's injury is unfortunate, it gave Erlin a chance to shine. The lefty came in to relieve starter Colin Rea, who ran into some early trouble against the Rockies which ran up his pitch count and credited him with five runs. But Erlin... he was masterful in his appearance. He went 3 2/3 innings and allowed just one hit while walking no one and striking out two. It looks like he's still fighting for that rotation spot, and if this outing is any indication I don't think anyone would be mad at that.