DENVER – Pinch-hitter Daniel Descalso delivered an RBI single in the ninth inning after Corey Dickerson tied the game in the eighth with his second solo homer of the night, helping the Colorado Rockies snap a five-game skid with a 5-4 win over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday.
Dickerson was back in the lineup after sitting out Tuesday with plantar fasciitis. It was the third multihomer game of Dickerson’s career.
Nolan Arenado began the ninth with a single off Shawn Kelley (0-2). Michael McKenry later lined a one-out single to center that moved Arenado to third. After intentionally walking DJ LeMahieu, the Padres brought an outfielder into the infield. It didn’t matter, as Descalso laced a liner to left-center.
He was mobbed by teammates between first and second after his hit.
Adam Ottavino (1-0) earned the win by pitching a perfect ninth.
Yangervis Solarte and Wil Myers hit solo homers for San Diego.
Rockies starter Kyle Kendrick was cruising along until running into trouble in the seventh. After Derek Norris tied the game at 3 with a run-scoring double, Troy Tulowitzki made a diving stop on Will Middlebrooks’ grounder up the middle to keep Norris from scoring.
It didn’t last, as two batters later pinch-hitter Cory Spangenberg lined a double, bringing home Norris to give the Padres a 4-3 lead.
With runners on second and third, Myers hit a hard grounder that appeared headed to left, but Arenado dove into the hole, snared it and threw Myers out at first to keep it a one-run game.
Dickerson tied the game by sending a 3-2 changeup from Joaquin Benoit into the seats in center.
Colorado reliever John Axford was reinstated before the game and threw a perfect eighth inning.
James Shields had another efficient performance away from home, allowing three runs and six hits in six innings. Shields led the American League with 10 road victories last season while with Kansas City.
Solarte was in the lineup at second base for Jedd Gyorko, who’s struggled at the plate this season. Solarte gave the Padres a 1-0 lead with his homer to right in the first.
Rockies rumpus
Rockies put pitcher LaTroy Hawkins on the 15-day disabled list with biceps tendinitis. Hawkins recently lost his role as closer. “LaTroy is the type of guy we have to take the ball from him,” manager Walt Weiss said. “He’s not going to say anything. I think this gives him some time to recover.
