Field Level Media
Jul 11, 2021
Chris Owings hit the first pinch-hit home run of his career Sunday, and his first home run of the season, to break a seventh-inning tie and lead the visiting Colorado Rockies to a 3-1 victory over the San Diego Padres.
The victory came in Bud Black's 2,000th game as an MLB manager and put the Rockies on top for a second consecutive game. They won a road series for the first time this season and are now 9-34 away from Denver.
Owings had an 0-1 count when he drove a curveball from Craig Stammen into the seats in right-center field.
The Rockies added a run in the ninth against All-Star closer Mark Melancon with the help of two Padres errors. Josh Fuentes and Garrett Hampson opened the ninth with back-to-back singles. After Fuentes was thrown out at the plate by Padres first baseman Eric Hosmer, Hampson scored on a two-out throwing error by second baseman Jake Cronenworth.
Rockies starter Jon Gray (6-6) struck out seven, allowing one run on three hits and three walks over six innings. Daniel Bard picked up his 14th save and second in as many games.
Padres left-handed starter Ryan Weathers had to be helped from the field with a right knee injury in the third inning. Gray was running to first base after a sacrifice bunt attempt when Weathers collided with him near the first base bag while trying to make the tag.
The Padres were leading 1-0 when Weathers departed, although they blew a chance at a bigger lead.
Trent Grisham opened the bottom of the second with a double and could only advance to third on a bloop single by Hosmer. Wil Myers walked to load the bases with one out, but the only run came when Victor Caratini grounded into a double play.
The Rockies tied the game in the fourth on a two-out home run by C.J. Cron off Chris Paddack, who was making the first relief appearance of his career. Paddack's appearance came after Pierce Johnson completed the third inning for Weathers.
--Field Level Media