A pair of National League West teams continue a series on the diamond in southern California in a game that takes place after the trade deadline. The Colorado Rockies are on the road as they play the third game of a five-game series and the second game of a day-night doubleheader with the San Diego Padres Tuesday night. Colorado dropped three of four at home to the Dodgers as they were drubbed 7-3 in the series finale Sunday afternoon. San Diego won the rubber game of their interleague set at home with the Twins as they prevailed 3-2 Sunday afternoon. This article was published prior to the conclusion of the opening game of the set at Petco Park Monday night.
Colorado continued to struggle since the All-Star break as they lost for the seventh time in 10 games by falling at home to the Dodgers Sunday. The Rockies entered Monday tied for fourth in the NL West race, 23 games behind the Dodgers for the top spot. They were 9.5 games behind the Phillies for the final wild card spot in the National League. On Sunday, Colorado got two hits from Randal Grichuk (two RBI) to lead their eight-hit attack while Brian Serven hit his fourth homer of the season in a losing effort. German Marquez (6-9) took the loss as he gave up five runs (four earned) on six hits with two walks and four strikeouts over six innings of work.
Jose Urena is slated to get the call in this contest for Colorado as he makes his 10th appearance and sixth start of the season. He comes in 1-3 with a 4.67 ERA, a 1.615 WHIP, 18 walks and 19 strikeouts over 34.2 innings of work on the year . Urena was shelled as he took the loss in his last start, which came Thursday at home against the Dodgers. He threw three innings, allowing 10 runs (seven earned) on eight hits with three walks and two strikeouts in a game the Rockies dropped 13-0. In his last three starts, Urena is 1-2 with a 7.53 ERA, a 1.814 WHIP, seven walks and 11 strikeouts over 14.1 innings of work. Urena makes his seventh career start against the Padres in this contest. He comes in 1-4 with a 3.63 ERA, a 1.183 WHIP, 10 walks and 28 strikeouts over 34.2 innings of work against them. Urena is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA, a 0.917 WHIP, five walks and 12 strikeouts over 12 innings in two career starts at Petco Park.