Colorado @ San Diego preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 31, 2018 ) Colorado 0, San Diego 7

After closing August with back-to-back ugly losses, the Colorado Rockies are hoping that turning the calendar awakens their suddenly quiet offense. The Rockies continue their four-game series against the host San Diego Padres on Saturday looking for a spark from the top of their order after scoring a total of two runs in the first two contests.

Charlie Blackmon, DJ LeMahieu and Nolan Arenado are a combined 2-for-27 in the last two games for the Rockies, who have fallen into third place in the National League West, 1 1/2 games behind first-place Arizona and three games behind Milwaukee for the second wild-card spot. Outfielder Carlos Gonzalez saw his seven-game hitting streak come to an end and the Rockies were held to five singles in Friday’s 7-0 loss to the Padres, who have won four consecutive games for the first time since July 26-29, 2017. San Diego rookie Luis Urias belted his first career home run and Franmil Reyes extended his hitting streak to six games with his second homer in as many days and fourth in the past six games. San Diego’s last four starting pitchers – rookies Jacob Nix, Joey Lucchesi, Eric Lauer and Brett Kennedy – have allowed a total of two earned runs over the last four games across 26 innings.

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado), FS San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Jon Gray (10-7, 4.67 ERA) vs. Padres LH Robbie Erlin (3-4, 3.69)

Colorado failed to win for the first time in Gray's past 10 starts last Monday, when he allowed five runs on seven hits over 6 2/3 innings against the Los Angeles Angels. The outing was a rare misstep for the 26-year-old, who was 4-0 with a 3.02 ERA in nine starts from June 22-Aug. 22. Wil Myers is 8-for-23 with a home run against Gray, who is 7-3 with a 2.67 ERA in 14 career starts versus San Diego - including 3-1 with a 3.33 mark in four outings this season.

Erlin allowed four runs on eight hits over 4 2/3 innings last Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers and lost for the first time since returning to the rotation on Aug. 2. The 27-year-old Bay Area native has posted a 5.01 ERA in 19 games (five starts) on the road this season compared to a 2.45 mark in 15 home appearances (two starts). Blackmon, LeMahieu and Arenado are a combined 17-for-37 against Erlin, who owns a 4-2 record and 6.06 ERA in 12 career games (five starts) versus Colorado.

WALK-OFFS

1. Padres OF Hunter Renfroe is 12-for-34 during his career-high eight-game hitting streak.

2. The Rockies acquired C Drew Butera and cash from Kansas City in exchange for minor league LHP Jerry Vasto.

3. San Diego RHP Bryan Mitchell will be activated from the disabled list to start Monday’s series opener against Arizona.

PREDICTION: Rockies 6, Padres 2