SAN DIEGO (Aug. 2) \u2014 The Colorado Rockies<\/a> won their third straight game when they defeated the San Diego Padres<\/a>, 5\u20132, Friday night in front of 44,393 at a sold-out Petco Park.<\/p>\n The Rockies bounced back from a 2\u20131 deficit with a three-run sixth and padded their lead with another run in the seventh. Second baseman Brendan Rodgers<\/a><\/strong> led the offensive charge for the Rockies, going 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, and two runs scored. Right fielder Kris Bryant<\/a><\/strong> added two hits, including a key two-run single in the sixth inning.<\/p>\n Rockies left-hander Austin Gomber<\/a><\/strong> gave the Rockies seven strong innings, allowing two runs on five hits, including two solo homers, with one walk and six strikeouts. Tyler Kinley<\/a><\/strong> pitched a scoreless eighth to maintain the lead, aided by a highlight-reel home run robbery by Gold Glove center fielder Brenton Doyle<\/a><\/strong>. Victor Vodnik<\/a><\/strong> pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his fifth save of the season, the most by any National League rookie in 2024.<\/p>\n Rodgers put the Rockies ahead when he led off the second with a no-doubt homer to left. Padres third baseman Manny Machado<\/a><\/strong> responded in kind to lead off the bottom of the second, with his shot landing near the landing spot of Rodgers\u2019 blast.<\/p>\n The Rockies had a chance to extend the lead in the top of the fourth when they loaded the bases with one out. But a grounder to short by catcher Elias Diaz<\/a><\/strong> turned into a side-retiring 6\u20134\u20133 double play. The missed opportunity hurt even more in the bottom of the inning, when Padres DH Donovan Solano<\/a><\/strong> led off with a homer to left-center, giving the Padres a 2\u20131 lead.<\/p>\n In the top of the sixth, off new Padres pitcher Jeremiah Estrada<\/a><\/strong>, the Rockies loaded the bases with no outs. Center fielder Brendon Doyle and third baseman Ryan McMahon<\/a><\/strong> both walked before Rodgers hit an infield single to the shortstop. After first baseman Michael Toglia<\/a><\/strong> struck out swinging, Kris Bryant lined a two-run single to center. Diaz struck out before left fielder Jake Cave<\/a><\/strong> dumped a single to left-center, scoring Rodgers to give the Rockies a 4\u20132 lead. It became a 5\u20132 game in the top of the seventh thanks to a McMahon sacrifice fly to center that scored shortstop Ezequiel Tovar<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Tyler Kinley tossed a perfect eighth to maintain the Rockies lead. The first out, however, took some heroics. Padres left fielder Jurickson Profar<\/a><\/strong> belted a fly to deep right-center. Doyle, on his horse, ran it down and made a leaping grab at the wall to rob Profar of a home run and draw a \u201cWow!\u201d from Kinley. Yuki Matsui<\/a><\/strong> pitched a 1\u20132\u20133 top of the ninth to keep the Padres within three runs, but Victor Vodnik rendered it moot. He worked around a one-out walk to slam the door on the Padres and seal the 5\u20132 victory.<\/p>\n Austin Gomber gave the Rockies a Quality Start, his first since July 6 against the Kansas City Royals<\/a>. Kinley and Vodnik each pitched an inning of scoreless relief to nail the victory down.<\/p>\n \u201cHe threw great. (Austin) was outstanding,\u201d manager Bud Black<\/a><\/strong> said. Black said Gomber made one mistake pitch, and that was on the homer he gave up to Solano. \u201cBut he really pitched well,\u201d Black continued. \u201cMix of pitches. Fastball in, fastball down and away, the good curve, the slider, the changeup (were) all working. Gomby pitched great.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI had four pitches working,\u201d Gomber said. \u201cAll in all, I felt pretty good.\u201d<\/p>\n After having trouble in Anaheim with runners in scoring position, the Rockies were 3-for-7 with runners in scoring position Friday against the Padres. \u201cI felt like we were in position to score a bunch (in the sixth). But we got the hits when we needed to,\u201d Gomber said.<\/p>\n Rodgers had three hits for the fourth time this season and the second time in the previous ten days. \u201cRod\u2019s been swinging it well lately,\u201d Gomber said. \u201cAfter the All-Star Break, he\u2019s looked more comfortable in the box, swinging it well and playing good defense.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt felt good,\u201d Rodgers said of his performance. \u201c(I got) down early in the first count, and then (Vasquez) threw me a curveball to hit. It backed up on him and stayed in the middle of the plate. I tried to stay short and hit it hard, and it ended up going out. After that \u2014 we faced him a few times this year, so I have a pretty good idea of what he\u2019s trying to do with me.\u201d Rodgers added that he tried to \u201cstay short, stay compact, and put a good swing on it.\u201d<\/p>\n Rodgers cracked a one-out double in the fourth, but a strong throw from Profar nearly got him at second. Only a great slide prevented it. Rodgers went into more detail about the slide: \u201cI had a good angle. Could see the throw coming in. I know Profar got to it pretty well and made a good throw. I slid kind of early and tried to not hurt anyone. Not hurt me or Xander. I tried to dodge (the tag). He went to tag my right hand, but I had it already moving. I don\u2019t really slide like that much \u2014 waved my right hand and snuck my left one in there.\u201d<\/p>\n With his two-hit performance, Kris Bryant has now hit safely in four of his last six games. His two RBI mark three games in a row in which he has driven in at least one run. Bryant said it felt \u201cgreat\u201d to contribute. He continued, \u201cI\u2019m trying to tell myself that although I want to expect results right away, I have to be realistic in that I haven\u2019t been on the field as much this year. There\u2019s going to be some rust that I gotta knock off. But it\u2019s definitely nice to get a big hit for the team and contribute in a good way.\u201d<\/p>\n On his two-run single with the bases loaded and one out, Bryant wanted to get the ball in play early. \u201cI thought he was gonna throw it to me up in the zone,\u201d he recalled, \u201cbut it was middle, middle-down. It kind of fell into my swing.\u201d He hit it off the end of the bat, which caused it to drop in front of the outfielders instead of carrying deep enough for one of them to catch it.<\/p>\n OH. MY. DOYLE.<\/p>\n CATCH OF THE YEAR \ud83d\ude31 pic.twitter.com\/hhBwUMdp1c<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) August 3, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nRockies \u2013 Padres Game Summary<\/h3>\n
Regaining the Lead<\/h4>\n
What Went Right for the Rockies<\/h3>\n
Pitching<\/h4>\n
Timely Hitting<\/h4>\n
Brendan Rodgers<\/h4>\n
Kris Bryant<\/h4>\n
The Catch<\/h4>\n
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