Nick Pivetta did his part to help the San Diego Padres break their losing streak in the series opener against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field, Friday. As the starting pitcher for the Padres he allowed two runs and scattered seven hits over six innings of work. He also allowed two walks and struck out five, but it was not enough, as San Diego dropped the series opener to Colorado, 3-0 and saw their losing streak extend to five games.
Pivetta allowed a solo home run to Hunter Goodman in the bottom of the third inning, which allowed the Rockies to take a 1-0 lead, which is not an insurmountable deficit. But it felt like it with the way Colorado starting pitcher Kyle Freeland was working. He threw four hitless innings and got the first out in the fifth before allowing a double to Ramon Laureano. The most impressive part of Freeland’s start was him striking out eight of the first 12 batters he faced.
Pvetta allowed the second run of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning after three consecutive singles to Mickey Moniak, Goodman and Jordan Beck. Beck drove in Moniak to put the Rockies up, 2-0.
David Morgan allowed the third run of the game, when he allowed a walk to Moniak. He then allowed a double to Goodman, who hit a shallow pop fly toward the right field line. Fernando Tatis Jr. attempted a sliding catch, but did not make the play, which allowed the run to score to give Colorado a 3-0 lead.
San Diego hitters were kept off balance all game and did not record the second hit of the game until the bottom of the eighth inning. Jose Iglesias singled with two outs, but was left there when Jake Cronenworth grounded out to end the inning.
The Padres tried to mount a rally in the top of the ninth with a Luis Arraez pinch-hit leadoff walk. Tatis Jr. followed with a single to put runners at first and second with no outs. Ryan O’Hearn then flied out to shallow left field and Manny Machado grounded into a double play to end the game.
San Diego plays Colorado, Saturday at 5:10 p.m.
