Gray, Owings lead Rockies to 3-1 win over punchless Padres

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Pinch-hitter Chris Owings hit a go-ahead home run in the seventh inning, Jon Gray had another strong start and the Colorado Rockies won 3-1 Sunday against the San Diego Padres, who lost another starting pitcher to injury.

The Rockies, buried in fourth place in the NL West since late May, won in Bud Black's 2,000th career game as a manager. They took two of three and have won five of six overall against the Padres, including a three-game sweep at Coors Field June 14-16.

Owings' homer off Craig Stammen (3-2) made a winner of Gray (6-6), who has pitched well in four starts since a stint on the injured list with a right flexor strain. Gray held the Padres to one run and three hits in six innings, struck out seven and walked three.

Jhoulys Chacín pitched two perfect innings and Daniel Bard pitched the ninth for his fourth straight save and 14th overall.

Gray didn't allow a hit after the second inning. He loaded the bases on a two straight singles and a walk opening the second but the Padres got only one run out of it, when Victor Caratini grounded into a double play.

Owings homered with one out in the seventh, his first. C.J. Cron homered off Chris Paddack in the fourth, his 12th, to tie the game at 1. The Rockies added an unearned run in the ninth, when All-Star infielders Manny Machado and Jake Cronenworth each committed an error.

The Padres, who've been in third place since June 9 and lost seven of 11, lost rookie left-hander Ryan Weathers to an apparent knee injury in the third inning. Weathers fielded Gray’s sacrifice bunt and ran over to tag him, but landed awkwardly on his right leg and fell to the ground in pain, clutching at his right knee. After a few moments on the ground, he had to be helped off the field.

The ball popped loose on the tag...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Gray-Owings-lead-Rockies-to-3-1-win-over-16307722.php