Denver, CO (SportsNetwork.com) - Corey Dickerson's third home run in two days lifted the Colorado Rockies to a 2-1 win over the San Diego Padres Thursday to split a four-game series.
After Dickerson went deep twice in Colorado's Wednesday win over San Diego, his solo home run off Tyson Ross proved to be the difference.
Ross (1-1) struck out seven and only yielded two runs in five innings, but he allowed six hits and issued four walks, including three in the first inning that led to the Rockies' first run.
"He battled. I think that's a good way to put it," said Padres manager Bud Black. "He gave us a chance to win the game even though he wasn't at the top of his game."
Rockies starter Jordan Lyles (2-1) was solid, allowing just one run on six hits and two walks in 6 2/3 innings with four strikeouts, and John Axford recorded his second save.
Ross recorded two quick outs to open the game before the first inning went south, starting with a walk to Dickerson. Nolan Arenado followed with an infield single, and Ross then walked Nick Hundley and Daniel Descalso to force in a run.
The Padres evened the game with a two-out rally of their own in the fourth. Matt Kemp started it when he beat out an infield single, and he moved into scoring position when Yangervis Solarte drew a walk. Yonder Alonso singled to left, and Kemp easily beat the throw home to tie the game.
Colorado retook the lead in the fifth when Dickerson jumped on Ross' first pitch and hit his fifth home run of the season.
"I got ready early and he threw a fastball that I think was meant to be farther inside and it came back over (the plate)," said Dickerson. "I got a good swing on it."
The Padres had their best chance to tie the game in the seventh. They sent Justin Upton to the plate to pinch hit for Wil Nieves with two outs and two runners on base, but reliever Scott Oberg got him swinging to end the inning
Rafael Ynoa led off the eighth with a pinch-hit double in a bid to give the Rockies some insurance. Drew Stubbs bunted him to third to give Carlos Gonzalez a chance to drive in a run, but Chris Rearick got him swinging for the second out. Odrisamer Despaigne replaced Rearick and walked DJ Lemahieu before getting Charlie Blackmon to ground out to end the inning.
Axford was summoned to get the save and started the ninth by getting Solarte to ground out. He then walked Alonso on four pitches, but Will Venable and Alexi Amarista struck out to end the game.
Game Notes
San Diego had homered in 10 straight games ... Alonso had three of San Diego's seven hits ... Dickerson, Arenado and Hundley had two hits apiece for Colorado ... Each team returns to the field Friday with San Diego hosting Los Angeles for three and Colorado taking on San Francisco in a three-game series.
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