Unless you count the two wins that straddled the All Star Break, the last time the Rockies notched consecutive victories dates back to the end of last month, when they beat the Nationals and Padres on June 28 and 29. This afternoon’s tiff with the Padres presents a new opportunity, as Colorado looks to take two of three from San Diego at Petco Park in the Golden State. Russ Ohlendorf’s (3-0, 5.87) first pitch for the Padres is scheduled for 2:05 pm MDT, when the right-hander takes on Rockies’ lefty Christian Friedrich (5-7, 5.85).
Friedrich, Colorado’s winningest starter, comes off a losing start Tuesday against the Pirates, when he wasted 4 decent innings with a 4-run fifth that knocked him-out short of a five inning appearance. The undefeated Ohlendorf is coming off his longest stint of 2012, when he allowed one run in six innings versus Houston, also Tuesday night. Both teams look to take the series’ rubber game, the Rockies prevailing Saturday in 12 after San Diego took the opener Friday 9-5.
The weather on San Diego Bay for the Sunday afternoon affair will feature 74 degree temperatures, 68% relative humidity, and winds from the west at 10 mph. Colorado will start Jordan Pacheco at catcher for the first time in 2012 with regulars Wilin Rosario and Ramon Hernandez nursing injuries. Eric Young Jr will fill in for Dexter Fowler in center and DJ Le Mahieu takes Pacheco’s usual spot at third. Alexi Amarista is back in center for the Padres, and John Baker replaces Yasmani Grandal at catcher:
| COLORADO (36-57) CF Eric Young Jr 2B Marco Scutaro LF Carlos Gonzalez 1B Michael Cuddyer RF Tyler Colvin C Jordan Pacheco SS Josh Rutledge 3B DJ LeMahieu P Christian Friedrich |
SAN DIEGO (40-56) CF Alexi Amarista 2B Logan Forsythe 3B Chase Headley LF Carlos Quentin RF Jesus Guzman 1B Yonder Alonso SS Everth Cabrera C John Baker P Russ Ohlendorf |
