The Colorado Rockies try to complete their second three- game sweep of the San Diego Padres in a week when the National League West foes conclude their set at Petco Park.
Colorado beat San Diego for the fifth straight time on Saturday, as Wilin Rosario and Michael Cuddyer each clubbed two-run homers in a 9-5 win. Rosario went 4-for-5 and drove in three runs, while Josh Rutledge crossed the plate three times in the victory for the Rockies.
"Our offense did a real nice job," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "When you can outslug some of your mistakes ... we have the personnel to do that at times."
The Rockies, winners in seven of 10 games since an opening-day loss at Milwaukee, got five strong innings from Jhoulys Chacin (2-0). The right-hander gave up four hits and a pair of runs. Chacin walked a pair of hitters and had three strikeouts.
Edinson Volquez (0-3) continued to struggle in the early going. The right- hander's ERA rose to 11.68 after allowing six hits and seven runs -- six earned -- over 3 1/3 innings.
"Over the course of 33 starts, you're going to have some rough ones," Padres skipper Bud Black said. "Volquez has had some right out of the get-go. Let's hope he can get it straightened out."
Everth Cabrera went 4-for-5 with a homer and two RBI, and Will Venable also went deep for the Padres, who have lost four in a row and are off to a 2-9 start.
San Diego was swept in Colorado last weekend.
Getting the call for Colorado on Sunday will be lefty Jorge De La Rosa, who is 0-1 with a 6.10 ERA. De La Rosa lost to San Francisco on Monday and allowed three runs and six hits in six innings.
"Jorge is heading the right way. I think he���s on the right path," Weiss said. "That���s all we're looking for from our starters. I think Jorge is real close to being at his best."
De La Rosa has faced the Padres 15 times (11 starts) and is 4-2 with a 5.54 ERA against them.
San Diego, meanwhile, will counter with lefty Clayton Richard, who is 0-1 with an 8.68 ERA. Richard did not get a decision against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday, but pitched well, surrendering just two runs and eight hits in five innings of a 9-3 win.
"We've worked on a lower arm slot in the spring, and I think he���s starting to adjust to it," Black said. "Based on his bullpen (session) and the stride he made in his last outing, I believe Clayton will have a good start on Sunday."
Richard has struggled versus the Rockies, posting a 2-4 mark to go along with a 5.68 ERA in 11 starts.
The Rockies swept their three-game set with the Padres last weekend and won six of nine in San Diego last season.
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