Slam Diego makes an appearance as Padres split double-header with Rockies

The short-handed Padres (21-17) did their best down four starters on Wednesday and managed to come away with a split in their double-header to take the series victory over the Rockies (13-24). After winning 5-3 in the early contest, the Rockies came back and won a close 3-2 decision in the evening game.

Victor Caratini single-handedly outscored Colorado in game one with his sixth-inning grand slam to give the Padres a 5-1 lead. It was the first grand slam hit by the Friars this season and it came just in time to revitalize all of those “Slam Diego” tweets.

Other than Caratini’s slam, it was a rather quiet outing for the San Diego bats. The team recorded just three other hits in game one, courtesy of Trent Grisham, Tucupita Marcano, and Ha-Seong Kim. Both Manny Machado and Jake Cronenworth went hitless in four at-bats.

Starter Yu Darvish finished with just two strikeouts in four innings, marking the first time he’s recorded less than six K’s in a start this year. Emilio Pagan followed him up by fanning all three in his lone inning to lead the team in that category. Mark Melancon earned his 12th save of the season.

Kim got the scoring started in game two with a double to right center. Austin Nola managed to scamper home from third due to a fielding error by Colorado. After a two run-homer from third baseman Josh Fuentes gave the Rockies the lead, Caratini drove in his fifth run on the day to tie things up at 2-2. In extra innings, Fuentes came through for his team again with an RBI single for the game’s winning run.

Blake Snell started the latter half of the double-header, finishing with seven K’s and two runs allowed with three walks in four innings. Pierce Johnson, Austin Adams, and Nick Ramirez combined to strike out four through the remaining three innings.

The Padres get the day off as they travel to St Louis to face the Cardinals (22-15) for the first time since the NLWCS last year. Joe Musgrove (2-4, 3.00 ERA) is scheduled to take the mound against Johan Oviedo (0-1, 4.61 ERA).