Padres race past Rockies with early offensive explosion
David Zalubowski
Michael Toglia needs a reset, and the Rockies will give him one.
The versatile corner defender was sent to Triple-A Albuquerque on Wednesday as the Rockies wrap up a four-game series with San Diego. In his stead, the club recalled Hunter Goodman who debuted last season and found instant success.
A tough spring training forced Goodman to take a deep breath with the Isotopes, but he made plenty of noise there. He hit a team-high seven home runs in 84 at-bats before receiving the call back to Coors Field.
“This spring, my first opportunity to try and make a team, (I was) trying to do a little too much,” Goodman said. “I just tried to get back to playing the game and having fun.”
Toglia will get a chance to find his peace in the minors.
He’s hit a team-high four home runs but has just one hit outside of the long balls. Across 47 at-bats, he’s hit .106 and struck out 20 times — the highest strikeout rate on the team.
“The coaching staff and I and Bill (Schmidt) felt that Michael needed to take a step back and sort of regroup,” manager Bud Black said. “Right now, let’s get him back to Albuquerque (with) regular at-bats.”
Goodman will provide the team with an additional option at catcher, too. He started at backstop seven times with the Isotopes, and the organization has made a push to test him behind the plate. He could also spend time in right field, at first and in the team’s designated hitter slot.
He came in as a seventh-inning pinch-hitter Wednesday and went hitless in two at-bats after he entered.
Padres 5, Rockies 2
What happened: The Padres saw five hitters reach base out of their first eight in a four-run first inning that held up throughout the Rockies’ latest loss. Colorado has trailed at some point in all 25 games this season.
On the mound: Ty Blach allowed four earned runs in the first inning but held San Diego scoreless the next four frames. He allowed five hits and two walks in the spot start. Victor Vodnik allowed an unearned run on Ryan McMahon’s error. Anthony Molina had his second consecutive three-inning scoreless appearance. He started the year with three consecutive outings in which he allowed a run.
At the plate: Ryan McMahon hit his first home run since April 6 in the sixth inning. It was one of Colorado’s four hits against Padres knuckleballer Matt Waldron in his six innings. Elias Díaz also hit a solo homer in the eighth inning. The Rockies finished with five hits, six strikeouts and three walks.
What’s next: San Diego Padres (RHP Randy Vásquez, 0-1) at Colorado Rockies (RHP Dakota Hudson, 0-4) on Thursday at 1:10 p.m. at Coors Field (Rockies.TV).




