Justin Morneau’s Walk Off Home Run Leads Colorado Rockies Past San Diego Padres
By Andrew Dill
May 18, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies first baseman Justin Morneau (33) reacts to his two run walk off home run in the tenth inning against the San Diego Padres at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The Colorado Rockies (25-20) got a much-needed series win over the San Diego Padres Sunday afternoon as Justin Morneau smoked a walk-off home run to center, giving the Rockies a 8-6 win at Coors Field.
Former Rockie Seth Smith would continue to beat up on his former team as the lefty hit a solo home run in the first off of Juan Nicasio to put the Padres ahead 1-0 early on. Colorado would strike back as Charlie Blackmon would collect a two RBI single to center in the bottom half of the third to plate Wilin Rosario and DJ LeMahieu — Colorado takes the 2-1 lead.
Right after Blackmon’s two RBI single, Corey Dickerson followed up with a two-run opposite field home run to push Colorado’s lead to three. In the top half of the fourth inning, San Diego took advantage of Juan Nicasio as Rene Rivera doubled to deep left scoring Cameron Maybin to cut the lead to two. Later on in the inning, Will Venable would plate Rivera on a single to center as San Diego found themselves down by one.
How good has Troy Tulowitzki been this season? The All-Star shortstop would club a solo home run to right field in the bottom half of the fifth to push Colorado’s lead to two. Jumping ahead to the top half of the sixth, San Diego got that run right back as Rene Rivera would hit a solo shot of his own to left to cut the deficit to one.
Rockies left fielder Carlos Gonzalez looks to be getting back into the swing of things as he connected with an RBI single in the bottom half of the seventh to score Tulowitzki, giving Colorado a 6-4 lead heading into the ninth. LaTroy Hawkins would look to close the game out but would suffer his first blown save of the 2014 season. After giving up a lead-off double to Will Venable, Everth Cabrera would club a two-run shot to right-center, tying the game up at eight all.
We jump ahead to the bottom half of the 10th inning as Dale Thayer came on to reliever Joaquin Benoit. Carlos Gonzalez would collect a one-out single to right to get things going in the 10th. After a Nolan Arenado fly-out to right, Justin Morneau came up as Colorado’s last hope and he came through. The former MVP would crush a two-run home run to center as Colorado came away with the walk-off win, 8-6.
Notable Rockies Hitters:
- Charlie Blackmon: 2-for-3, 2 RBI, 2 BB.
- Corey Dickerson: 1-for-2, HR, 2 RBI.
- Troy Tulowitzki: 1-for-5, HR, 2 R.
- Carlos Gonzalez: 2-for-4, RBI.
- Justin Morneau: 2-for-5, HR, 2 RBI.
- DJ LeMahieu: 3-for-4, R.
Rockies Pitching:
- Juan Nicasio: 6.0 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO. 99 pitches, 60 strikes.
- Rex Brothers: 1.0 IP, 2 BB, 1 SO.
- Adam Ottavino: 1.0 IP, 0 H.
- LaTroy Hawkins (BS, 1): 1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER,
- Nick Masset (W, 1-0): 1.0 IP, 0 H.
The Colorado Rockies (25-20) defeat the San Diego Padres, 8-6. Colorado earns the series victory over the Padres as they have Monday off. They are back at it Tuesday night against the San Francisco Giants as they send Franklin Morales (3-3, 5.40 ERA) to the hill. Giants will counter with ace Madison Bumgarner (5-3, 3.25 ERA). First-pitch will be scheduled for 8:40 PM ET, 6:40 PM MT.