San Diego @ Colorado preview
Coors Field
Last Meeting ( Sep 1, 2012 ) San Diego 1, Colorado 9
The San Diego Padres attempt to get back in the win column behind their rookie phenom Sunday, when they take on the Colorado Rockies in the rubber match of their three-game series at Coors Field. San Diego suffered a 9-1 loss Saturday, just its second setback in 12 contests. The Padres try to clinch the series win with Casey Kelly, who lived up to expectations with a superb major-league debut against Atlanta earlier this week.
San Diego, which fell to 4-1 on its six-game road trip, had its three-game winning streak in Colorado snapped Saturday. It was the Padres' sixth loss in 14 meetings this season with the National League West-rival Rockies, who avoided a third straight setback. Colorado has won 13 of its last 19 contests.
TV: 3:10 p.m. ET, FSN (San Diego), Root Sports (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Casey Kelly (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Jeff Francis (5-4, 5.44)
Kelly worked six innings against the Braves at home on Monday, allowing a double and two singles while walking two. The 22-year-old first-round pick of the Boston Red Sox in 2008 also struck out six en route to victory. Kelly also was successful at the plate, going 1-for-2 while picking up his first major-league hit - a single in the fifth inning.
Francis is aiming for his third straight win after allowing three hits over five scoreless innings in a triumph over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday. The 31-year-old Canadian has yielded three runs or less in four of his last five starts but has not worked more than 5 1/3 frames since pitching six in a win at Arizona on July 25. Francis, who is 6-13 in 24 career starts against the Padres, escaped with a no-decision at San Diego on July 21 despite surrendering five runs over five innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Colorado C Wilin Rosario continued his torrid pace Saturday, going 1-for-3 with an RBI. The rookie has hit safely in 12 of his last 15 games and has collected seven RBIs in his last four contests.
2. San Diego has gone 55-55 since posting a 7-17 record in April.
3. Rockies 1B Jordan Pacheco went 2-for-3 on Saturday, extending his hitting streak to 10 games.