The Colorado Rockies emerged with a 6-3 victory over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night on the strong pitching effort by Juan Nicasio and the bat of Chris Iannetta.
The game had not gotten off to the most auspicious start as Chris Denorfia hit a leadoff home run in the top of the first inning off Nicasio. Jason Bartlett then was hit by the pitch and stole second base. However, Nicasio bounced back with three swinging strikeouts to end the inning. The Padres next struck in the fourth inning with an Alberto Gonzalez RBI double for the 2-0 lead.
But the Rockies offense appeared in the bottom of the fourth. Chris Nelson started things off with a single and a steal of second before he was singled in by Todd Helton. A Troy Tulowitzki ground-rule double left runners on second and third for Ty Wigginton. He and Charlie Blackmon followed with back-to-back singles to take the lead, 3-2. Padres starter Wade LeBlanc allowed all three runs.
The Rockies widened that lead in the bottom of the sixth on a Chris Iannetta three-run home run (9) off reliever Pat Neshek. Charlie Blackmon singled and stole second and Ryan Spilborghs walked before Iannetta came to the plate.
Nicasio (2-1) went six innings, allowed both runs up to that point and struck out nine. Reliever Matt Lindstrom loaded the bases in the seventh inning with one out recorded, but got Ryan Ludwick to pop out to second for the other out. Rex Brothers relieved him when lefty Anthony Rizzo came to the plate. He struck out swinging.
Huston Street came in for ninth inning, allowed a Ryan Ludwick RBI single with two out and then got Rizzo to strike out for the third time, ending the game with a Rockies' 6-3 victory.
The Rockies (32-35, 16-18 home) conclude this series on Wednesday at 1:10 p.m. MT. Jhoulys Chacin and Mat Latos are scheduled to start.
For more on the Rockies, visit Purple Row. To learn more about the Padres, head over to Gaslamp Ball.