San Diego @ Colorado preview
Coors Field
Last Meeting ( Jun 30, 2012 ) San Diego 8, Colorado 4
Rookie left-hander Drew Pomeranz is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs and start Sunday when the Rockies host the San Diego Padres in the finale of their three-game series. In five starts with the Rockies, Pomeranz was sent to Colorado Springs to work on his mechanics following a 3-2 loss at San Diego on May 7. Pomeranz, 23, was the centerpiece in the trade which shipped Ubaldo Jimenez to Cleveland last July.
Pomeranz will face fellow rookie Yasmani Grandal, who became the first player in major league history to homer from both sides of the plate for his first two major league hits in the Padres’ 8-4 victory on Saturday. Fellow rookie Alexi Amarista also homered twice – the second and third of his career – and hit San Diego’s first three-run homer of the season.
San Diego will counter with Kip Wells, who is 0-4 with a 10.89 ERA in eight games (four starts) at Coors Field, including 0-2 while a member of the Rockies in 2008.
TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, FS San Diego, Root Sports (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Kip Wells (0-1, 3.60 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Drew Pomerantz (0-2, 4.70)
Wells made his first major league appearance since 2009 on Tuesday when he allowed five runs (two earned) and seven hits in five innings in a 5-3 loss at Houston. He walked three and struck out two among his 100 pitches. Jason Giambi may start at first base – he is 4-for-9, with two doubles, four RBIs and four walks against Wells.
Pomeranz was 4-4 with a 2.51 ERA and struck out 46 in 46 2/3 innings at Colorado Springs. He allowed three runs and five hits in three innings and walked three in the San Diego game as Yonder Alonso had two hits and two RBIs. Pomeranz recorded 20 strikeouts and 15 walks while allowing 25 hits in 23 major league innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Colorado’s Carlos Gonzalez has a 19-game home hitting streak. He is batting .444 (36-for-81) with seven homers, 20 RBIs and 20 runs scored during that span.
2. San Diego has scored eight or more runs only seven times this season.
3. Colorado reliever Matt Belisle has 10 1/3 innings scoreless streak, the longest by a Rockie this season. He has a 1.93 ERA with 34 strikeouts and seven walks in 42 innings.