Despite an ineffective start from Dakota Hudson and plenty of missed opportunities early on, the Rockies utilized a six-run rally in the eighth for a 10-9 comeback victory over the San Diego Padres.

Hudson battled his command, throwing 73 pitches in just 3 1/3 innings while issuing four free passes. The Padres weren’t fooled much by what he was throwing as they scored six runs on six hits, including a home run, with four strikeouts.

The Rockies managed to strike first at the start of the game after Brenton Doyle singled with one out and eventually came around to score on an Elias Diaz groundout to take an early 1-0 lead. The good times wouldn’t last for long as the Padres struck back in the top of the second with a Luis Campusano leadoff single that would eventually come around to score on a groundout by Jose Azoca to tie the game 1-1.

Hudson’s struggles manifest in the top of the third inning when Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a leadoff double to left field before scoring on a one-out RBI single from Jurickson Profar. Ha-Seong Kim then turned on a 2-0 sinker on the inside part of the plate, sending it to left field for the Padres’ first home run of the series, giving them a 4-1 lead.

You have to love Ha-Seong Kim 🫶 pic.twitter.com/jvhkyxojfX

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 25, 2024

On a rare occasion, the Rockies managed to tie things back up in the bottom half of the frame, showing hints of the resilience this team can display as they chipped away against Padres starter Randy Vasquez. Ezequiel Tovar and Doyle both reached to begin the inning. After Ryan McMahon advanced the runners on a ground out, Tovar would score on another groundout from Diaz. With a runner at third, Elehuris Montero deposited a hanging curveball to left field to tie the game 4-4.

For Montero, it was his first home run of the season and a payoff for the work he has been putting in at the plate. Advanced metrics point to Montero being fairly unlucky with his balls in play, but he has put in considerable effort to improve his plate discipline to reduce strikeouts. With Kris Bryant still on the injured list and Michael Toglia demoted to Triple-A, the Rockies are giving Montero full reigns to prove what he can do as a regular in the lineup.

Elehuris Montero’s home run hit the mitt, which means @uchealth’s donation to @NextChapterColo is at $15,000. pic.twitter.com/C7guaNb7v5

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) April 25, 2024

The home run effectively ended Vasquez’s day as he lasted just one more batter, issuing a walk to Brendan Rodger. The young right-hander went 2 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on six hits with two strikeouts and two walks issued.

The Padres kept chipping away against the Rockies as they added two more runs in the top of the fourth, and would add another two in the seventh thanks to a two-run shot by Profar, with another run crossing the plate in the eighth.

That's a Mile High Mash if we've ever seen one 🤯 pic.twitter.com/AMYMKyB2w7

— San Diego Padres (@Padres) April 25, 2024

While the Rockies bullpen didn’t lock things down, it was enough to keep the game close enough. Peter Lambert came in relief of Hudson and tossed 2 2/3 clean innings. Nick Mears and Tyler Kinley surrendered three runs on five hits in their two innings of combined work, but the pen did well to prevent walks.

Trailing 9-4 in the bottom of the eighth, the Rockies showed some life against the Padres bullpen. Rodgers got things going with a one-out single down the right-field line against Yuki Matsui. Pinch-hitter Sean Bouchard then drew a walk, prompting manager Mike Shildt to turn his pen once again for Wandy Peralta. His first batter would be newly recalled Hunter Goodman who was swinging a hot bat down in Triple-A Albuquerque. On a 2-0 pitch, Goodman launched a chest-high changeup to left field to ignite the rally for his second-career home run, pulling the Rockies within two runs.

Goody taco's pic.twitter.com/NbesvrAFCJ

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) April 25, 2024

Jacob Stallings kept things going a single which was followed by a walk to Tovar. Doyle, then laced a single to score Stallings for his third hit of the game. With runners on the corners, Peralta suddenly struggled with his command, throwing a breaking ball that Campusano struggled to catch. The passed ball allowed Tovar to score and tie the game 9-9. Another wild pitch to Ryan McMahon would advance Doyle to third, but McMahon struck out. Luckily, the Rockies came through with two outs as Diaz lined a double to left field to give the Rockies the lead and his third RBI of the day.

And just like that…

…we are tied 👏 pic.twitter.com/EaoJRII4wb

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) April 25, 2024

DÍAZ! DÍAZ! DÍAZ! pic.twitter.com/cl7DlSAd4b

— Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) April 25, 2024

“It feels good to come through in any moment,” said Goodman “Going into the at-bat I was looking for  something up in the zone that I could put a good swing on and I was able to put a good swing on it and the rest is the rest.”

“It was a great game to be a part of, I mean we felt like we were never out of it, we were putting together good at-bats and we just kept going and breaking through in the eighth.”

A quick 1-2-3 in the ninth by Justin Lawrence secured his second save of the year and gave the Rockies their first series split of the season. The comeback in the eighth paid off for the Rockies who entered the inning 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position. They finished the game going 5-for-17 with runners in scoring position. As a team, they totaled 10 runs on 14 hits with nine strikeouts and five walks. Every starter had a hit in the Rockies lineup.

For the Rockies, it was just the fourth time they had won a game trailing by five runs after the seventh inning.

The Padres ended up with 11 hits as a team, with Xander Bogaerts and Profar leading the way with two hits apiece. They also had a hit from everyone in their lineup while striking out eight times against four walks.

Up Next

The Rockies are off on Friday as they head down to Mexico City to prepare for a two-game set against the Houston Astros. The Astros have been off to one of their worst starts in history since 1969 after being swept by the Chicago Cubs and going 7-19 to begin the year.