SAN DIEGO – The Colorado Rockies stumbled again as they try to protect their tenuous hold on the NL’s second wild card, losing 3-0 Thursday night to a San Diego Padres team powered by veteran left-hander Clayton Richard and rookie slugger Christian Villanueva.
Richard (8-14) struck out eight in 7 1/3 scoreless innings a day after agreeing to a two-year contract extension through 2019, and Villanueva homered for the second straight game and drove in two runs.
It was the fourth straight loss and sixth in eight games for the Rockies. They kept their one-game lead over Milwaukee thanks to the Brewers’ 5-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs.
Colorado lefty Tyler Anderson (5-6) was pulled after 5 2/3 innings, having allowed three runs and six hits, with six strikeouts and a walk.
Bud Black, who managed the Padres from 2007 until June 2015, came with the hook after Anderson allowed an RBI single by Villanueva for a 3-0 lead with two outs in the sixth. Two batters earlier, Hunter Renfroe hit a sacrifice fly.
Five days earlier, Anderson got the win in a 16-0 romp over San Diego at Coors Field.
Richard allowed seven hits and walked one. He was pulled after pinch-hitter Pat Valaika singled and Charlie Blackmon reached on shortstop Yangervis Solarte’s single with one out in the eighth. Kirby Yates came on and struck out DJ LeMahieu and got Nolan Arenado to force Blackmon.
Brad Hand struck out the side in the ninth for his 20th save. He has 100 strikeouts this season.
Villanueva, who made his big league debut on Monday night, homered to left-center leading off the fifth. He got his first hit, a single, and first homer in a loss to Arizona on Wednesday night.
Rockies: RHP Jon Gray (8-4, 3.75 ERA) is scheduled to start Friday night. He pitched five scoreless innings against San Diego on Sunday before being removed after a 90-minute rain delay.
Padres: RHP Jordan Lyles (1-3, 7.35) is scheduled to face his former team. He was released by the Rockies on Aug. 1 and signed by the Padres on Aug. 8. This will be his fourth start with San Diego and second at home.
