Rockies stage late comeback to defeat Padres

DENVER — The Rockies made an epic comeback Thursday afternoon, erasing a five-run deficit with a six-run eighth inning and stunning the Padres, 10-9, to earn a series split at Coors Field.

Colorado sent 11 men to the plate in the eighth inning, putting five hits and three walks together as San Diego’s bullpen imploded under the relentless assault.

Brendan Rodgers sparked the rally with a one-out double down the right-field line off Yuki Matsui. After a walk to Sean Bouchard, rookie Hunter Goodman, making his first start of the season, launched a 448-foot three-run shot to left to bring the Rockies within two.

Following the homer, Jacob Stallings added a single and Ezequiel Tovar walked, setting up Brenton Doyle’s RBI single to plate Stallings with his third hit of the night. After a passed ball by Luis Campusano tied the game at nine, a two-out double from Elias Díaz gave the Rockies a one-run lead to take to the ninth.

It was the Rockies’ first six-run inning since a six-run eighth against Kansas City on June 2, 2023 which, coincidentally, also happened in the eighth inning.