May 9, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; San Diego Padres relief pitcher Robert Suarez (75) celebrates after the game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Denver, Colorado – With Jake Cronenworth back in the lineup for the first time since early April, the San Diego Padres finally fielded their full starting lineup on Friday night — and they looked every bit the offensive force they were built to be.
Powered by a relentless barrage at the plate, the Padres pounded out 18 hits and held off a late Colorado Rockies rally to win 13-9 in the opener of a three-game set at Coors Field. It marked the first time since Cronenworth’s rib injury that San Diego’s core hitters were all active — and the result was an explosive, if occasionally nerve-wracking, win.
Luis Arraez, Manny Machado, and rookie Jackson Merrill — San Diego’s 2-3-4 hitters — each recorded three hits, while Gavin Sheets added two doubles and four RBIs, including a bases-clearing two-bagger that broke the game open in the third. Martín Maldonado launched a two-run homer in the sixth, and Cronenworth’s eighth-inning RBI single pushed the lead to 13-2.
“It’s great to have everyone back,” Machado said. “This is what our lineup is capable of when we’re clicking.”
Randy Vásquez (2-3) turned in a strong start, giving up just two runs on six hits across six innings while striking out five. He handed the ball to a bullpen that had been lights out before a rough series in New York — but the late innings again proved problematic.
Yuki Matsui delivered a scoreless seventh, but Sean Reynolds, Wandy Peralta, and Alec Jacob struggled mightily in the eighth and ninth, combining to allow seven runs on 10 hits while recording just four outs. A 13-2 cushion quickly dissolved into a 13-9 nail-biter.
With two men on and one out in the ninth, closer Robert Suarez was summoned and promptly induced a game-ending 6-4-3 double play on just his third pitch, securing his league-leading 15th save of the season.
“I’d rather not use Suarez in that spot, but when you have to win a game, you go to your best,” said manager Mike Shildt.
The Rockies (6-32), owners of the worst record in baseball, showed some late life thanks to homers from Michael Toglia, Ryan McMahon, and Jordan Beck, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a brutal start and shaky pitching from Antonio Senzatela (1-6), who allowed four earned runs for the third straight outing.
The Padres (20-18) will look to clinch the series Saturday with right-hander Stephen Kolek (1-0, 0.00 ERA) taking on Colorado’s Bradley Blalock (0-1, 8.03 ERA).
