San Diego – Reminders of the Padres’ problems with Jeff Francis sit beyond the center-field fence.
After left-handed hitters whined about not being able to pick up his delivery last season, San Diego took the usual step of widening the batter’s eye. Two dark blue panels covered in ivy were added over the winter to mute any Francis advantages.
For good measure, manager Bruce Bochy stacked his lineup with right-handers, hoping to duplicate the Padres’ May 2 drumming of the rookie.
Francis had his way with San Diego, muscling the Rockies to a 4-3 victory at Petco Park that left them within one win of four consecutive road series for the first time in franchise history.
On a warm Friday night, an announced crowd of 33,621 turned out, drawn by Jake Peavy bobblehead dolls and a local first-place team in name only. With Adam Eaton back from a rehab assignment, the Padres were expected to assert themselves in the West. They remain in first place because Arizona and Los Angeles continue their decline.
San Diego’s defense was sloppy and its hitters miserable against Francis. In his first strong start since July 31, the left-hander snapped a two-game losing streak. He yielded just four hits and two runs in 6 2/3 innings, winning a baseball rookie-best 12th game.
“I have had slumps before. The key is executing my pitches,” Francis said.
Backed by a terrific backhand by third baseman Garrett Atkins that triggered a double play, Brian Fuentes posted his 24th save.
Day on the cusp
Colorado Springs right-hander Zach Day continued to creep back toward the big leagues Thursday night, showing off an impressive sinker, allowing three runs in 6 2/3 innings against Salt Lake.
He will make at least one more Triple-A start before joining the Rockies. They plan to give him a few assignments in September to get a better read entering spring training. Sunny Kim starts Saturday, with an extended audition linked to his performance.
Cortes appreciated
David Cortes has graduated from a nice story of a 31-year-old rookie to a reliever with a future. In short, he has reinvented himself. In spring training, he failed to make the team, not so much because of results, but his lack of a secondary off-speed pitch. Over the course of this season, he has developed a changeup.
Cortes, punching the clock in the seventh inning in place of injured Dan Miceli, has posted a 1.00 ERA since the all-star break.
“My arm feels good, I have confidence,” said Cortes, the team’s most improved player this season.
Footnotes
Outfielder Jeff Salazar, third baseman Ian Stewart and catcher Chris Iannetta are among those prospects who will play in the Arizona Fall League. … Reliever Marcos Carvajal, who suffered a slight shoulder sprain in the Dodgers series, threw off a mound Friday and should be available to pitch Sunday.
