Juan Nicasio Settles Down After Rough First, Leads The Colorado Rockies To Victory

Apr 14, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2) throws the ball to first ahead of the slide by San Diego Padres second baseman Jedd Gyorko (9) for a double play during the sixth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Juan Nicasio would run into a little bit of trouble early on in the bottom of the first inning. He would give up a lead-off double to Will Venable, followed by an infield hit to Alexi Amarista. Former Rockie Seth Smith would single to right-center to score Venable to put the Padres up 1-o. Jedd Gyorko would follow that up with an RBI single of his own to right field, scoring Amarista to push the Padres lead to two. After finishing the inning, Nicasio would have 31 pitches after one.

He would settle down after that by throwing six innings, giving up six hits, two runs, two earned, one walk, striking out three batters in the winning effort. The Rockies would get a run back in the top half of the second inning, as DJ LeMahieu would rope an RBI single to right field scoring Troy Tulowitzki who singled earlier in the inning. Moving ahead to the top of the fourth inning, Nolan Arenado would hit a sacrifice fly to right-center to plate Tulowitzki for his second run scored during the game, tying the game up at two apiece.

The very next inning, Colorado would get a leadoff single from Michael Cuddyer. Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki would walk to load the bases right after that. The very next batter would be Wilin Rosario  who would collect an infield single to plate Cuddyer to bring the Rockies lead to 3-2. Colorado would fail to capitalize on the bases loaded opportunity after that as Nolan Arenado struck out swinging to end the top half of the fifth.

The Rockies bullpen did a good job spelling Nicasio after his quality outing. Chad Bettis came in to relieve him throwing 0.2 innings, giving up one hit and one walk. Lefty-specialist Boone Logan would come in and do the same, throwing 0.2 of an inning giving up one walk and striking out one.

Rockies Notable Hitters:

• Troy Tulowitzki: 2-for-3, 2B, 2 R.
• Wilin Rosario: 3-for-4, 1 RBI.
• Nolan Arenado: 1-for-3, 2B, RBI.

Rockies Pitching Lines:

• Juan Nicasio: 6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO.
• Chad Bettis: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 1 BB.
• Boone Logan: 0.2 IP, 1 BB, 1 SO.
• Adam Ottavino. 0.2 IP, 0 H.
• LaTroy Hawkins: 1.0 IP, 1 H.

The Colorado Rockies (7-8) return to action tomorrow night in-game three of a four-game series with the San Diego Padres. Rockies lefty Jorge De La Rosa will go up against Padres ace Andrew Cashner. First-pitch is scheduled for 10:10 PM ET, 8:10 PM MT.