Padres-Rockies: Adrian Gonzalez's Two Home Runs Not Enough in Loss to Colorado

Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez would be the first to tell you that setting a team record doesn't mean as much as his team getting a win.

So when he set the team record for most home runs in the month of April (9) in a loss to the Rockies, you could understand why his mood was a little somber.

Gonzalez was responsible for three of the Padres' five runs, hammering a solo shot in the seventh inning and following that up with a two-run blast in the eighth for his eighth and ninth home runs of the year, but it was too little, too late as the Padres dropped a 7-5 decision to Colorado Wednesday afternoon.

Rockies starter Aaron Cook picked his matchup with the Padres to have his best outing of the season, shutting out San Diego for six innings before giving up three runs in the seventh off home runs from Gonzalez and catcher Henry Blanco.

Padres right-hander Kevin Correia had his usual outing, giving up three runs through five innings of work, but his walks continue to get him into trouble. He walked four for the third time in his first four starts.

He at least kept his team in the ballgame, but he says he wants to get his pitch count down to be able to pitch deeper into games.

"I'm not giving up too many runs," Correia told MLB.com. "I'm just not staying in the game long enough. I had a couple longer innings, and my pitch count's just too high right now. I got to find a way to get it down."

It took just two swings of the bat for Correia to fall behind. In the second inning, Correia had a full count to Rockies catcher Chris Iannetta with two outs and the pitcher on deck.

Correia tried to throw a slider but missed with his location, and Iannetta hit it over the left field fence for a two-run home run to put the Rockies ahead, 2-0.

In the very next inning, Rockies first baseman Todd Helton got a hold of a 3-1 offering from Correia for a solo shot to extend the lead to 3-0, but Correia would keep them off the scoreboard in the fourth and fifth innings, departing after completing the fifth.

That's when the game got out of hand. Cla Meredith gave up an RBI single to Iannetta and a sacrifice fly to Dexter Fowler before being pulled in favor of newly called-up Arturo Lopez.

Unfortunately, Lopez didn't fare any better, giving up two walks and a two-run single to Helton to extend the Rockies' lead to 7-0.

It was too much for San Diego to overcome, although the two home runs from Gonzalez and one from Blanco brought them close, but not close enough.

Miraculously, even though San Diego is just one game above .500, they remain in second place in the National League Western Division behind the Los Angeles Dodgers, which shows how much competition—or lack thereof—the NL West has in 2009.

Speaking of the Dodgers, the Padres will be in Los Angeles for the first of a four-game set starting tonight.

Young right-hander Josh Geer (0-0, 4.91) will try to rebound from his rough relief appearance a few days ago—giving up four runs in three innings—as he gets the start tonight against the Dodgers.

As for LA, James McDonald (1-1, 7.11) will make his fourth start of the season, though he didn't have much luck in his first three starts. He gave up five runs on two hits while walking three in just two-and-one-third innings in his first start against Arizona.

McDonald had more luck in his second start against Colorado, going four-and-a-third shutout innings, giving up just four hits, but didn't pitch long enough to earn a decision in a 14-2 win.

He made another start against the Rockies six days later and didn't fare nearly as well. He gave up four runs on five hits in five innings of work, getting his first win of the season.

Additional Padres Notes

Adrian Gonzalez extended his hit streak to 11 straight games with his solo home run in the seventh inning. He's now reached base safely in all 21 games.