Things are starting to fall into places for the San Diego Padres (9-6).
Not only did they capture their four consecutive victory and win the series during their 9-5 win on Saturday night against the Colorado Rockies, but they did it firing on all cylinders at the plate.
Things are starting to turn the corner for the Padres.
"We got good players and they can hit homers," Padres manager Craig Stammen said. "I think we're taking good at-bats and then we're taking advantage of some mistakes that pitchers are making."
The offense finished with a season-high nine runs scored and have hit a home run in five straight games. They have now homered eight times in the last five games after only having five in their first 10 games of the season.
It did take the offense a bit to get going and after facing a four run deficit by the bottom of the third inning when Padres starting Germán Márquez (2-1, 5.54 ERA) gave up three long balls to Edouard Julien and a pair to Mickey Moniak. Both of Moniak's home runs came on Márquez four-seam fastball, the first located in the zone but away and the second going right down broadway.
That four run deficit flipped a switch for the Padres during the bottom of the third inning when left fielder Ramón Laureano generated a seven pitch walk. Fernando Tatis Jr., who made his first major league start at second base, churned out a single and Jackson Merrill grounded into a RBI force out.
Moments later, Manny Machado stepped in the box and turned one the other way on a 3-0 hitter's count for a two-run homer to make it 4-3.
They offense continued to rake in the next inning, starting with a double to center by Miguel Andujar and a walk by Freddy Fermin. With two-out in the frame, Laureano unloaded on a 87 mph changeup down the middle for a three-run homer to give the Padres the lead.
During the sixth inning, the tacked on another three runs with a Tatis Jr. bases loaded walk and a two RBI ground ball double by Merrill to make it 9-4.
This is the type of night that makes poor starting pitching not the end-all be-all. It may not be be something they want moving forward, but it shows that they can have explosive outings when needed.
Márquez, on 86 pitches, went five innings and allowed four runs, four hits with five strikeouts. The right-hander was replaced by Wandy Peralta, who went an inning and a third, and eventually was relieved by right-hander Ron Marinaccio.
The bullpen did have to cleanup as the game went on following Peralta exiting. Marinaccio gave up a run and a pair of hits through an inning and two thirds, Bradgley Rodriguez came and recorded the first two outs in the ninth inning but wasn't able to slam the door. Righty Jason Adam, in his second straight appearance, answered the bell to get the final out and earn himself his first save of the season.
In a night where the Padres needed their stars to shine, they definitely got that plus extra especially from a struggling Tatis Jr.
Before the game, Stammen mentioned that him playing second could "unlock" him and help him not think too much when at the plate. Tatis Jr. finished 3-for-4 with a pair of singles, a double, a walk and a RBI.
"I don't know if you can unlock offesnively by playing them at a different position but he had a great game tonight," Stammen said. "You know, that's what we expect out of Fernando... (He) look like a normal everyday second baseman with a rocket arm on a double."
The main contributor on this night was Laureano, who went 3-for-4 with a double, a home run, two walks and three RBIs. Despite going 1-for-4 Merrill posted a double, a walk and three RBIs.
First pitch of Sunday's fourth and final game of the series will be at 1:10 p.m. and will feature both club's aces on the mound. Right-hander Nick Pivetta (1-2, 5.54ERA) will make his fourth start of the season for the Friars, while lefty Kyle Freeland (1-1, 2.30 ERA) will be on the bump for the Rockies.