Can the Rockies turn things around against the Padres?
The Colorado Rockies have lost 10 of their last 12 games and hold a ghastly 5-18 record. They face the San Diego Padres again this evening in hopes of evening the series. In yesterday’s contest, Padres’ starter Dylan Cease became the first pitcher in Coors Field history to complete at least seven innings while allowing one or fewer hits with zero walks.
The offensive woes continued for the Rockies, who recorded just four hits (Ryan McMahon batted in the only run) while striking out 11 times. They have recorded double-digit strikeouts 12 times in 23 games (and have five nine-strikeout games), but have not struck out less than six times in a single game all season. They have also failed to hit a home run in six-straight games, which is one shy of tying a franchise record set April 18-24, 2007 and matched July 28-August 3, 2014. The Rockies’ last homer was Michael Toglia’s against Aaron Nola on Monday. Their 16 home runs are the third-fewest in MLB, ahead of only the St. Louis Cardinals (15) and Chicago White Sox (11). But Coooooors, right?
Ryan Feltner (1-2, 5.06 ERA) will take the mound for the Rockies. Feltner got blown up a bit in his last outing against the Philadelphia Phillies, allowing a career high-tying six runs on a career-high nine hits through 5 1⁄3 innings. He allowed four runs in the first inning, including back-to-back home runs to Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner to begin the game. He struck out eight, though, while also walking two. Feltner has faced the Padres four times in his career — the most of any other opponent — holding a 0-0 record and 2.75 ERA against them (the third-lowest of any opponent he has ever faced).
Feltner will face Padres’ right-hander Michael King, who took a no-hitter into the seventh inning during his last start against the Milwaukee Brewers on April 17. It was also his second-career start. However, the Padres blew it — losing 1-0 after King allowed just the one run on two hits with a season-high 10 strikeouts and two walks. The saving grace for the Rockies tonight might be that King has allowed 15 walks and six homers this season — the most by a Padres pitcher so far.
First Pitch: 6:40 p.m. MDT
TV: Rockies.tv
Radio: KOA 850 AM/94.1 FM; KNRV 1150 (Spanish)
Lineups:
King on the hill. pic.twitter.com/hYVPYuvFX6
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 23, 2024
Feltner on the bump tonight pic.twitter.com/K7kTLnsa0G
— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) April 23, 2024