MLB NEWS

Winless Padres hope bats come alive in Denver

The Sports Xchange

April 07, 2016 at 2:00 am.

SAN DIEGO — Is there a better tonic than a trip to Denver for a struggling offense?

The Padres, fresh from getting shut out a record three straight times to open a season, welcome their first trip as they open a three-game series on Friday against the Colorado Rockies. Then it’s off to Philadelphia for four games against the Phillies.

After getting their fill of Dodgers pitchers, the mile high attitude sounds comforting for those woeful Padres bats.

“Colorado is always a nice place to hit,” manager Andy Green said. “But it’s not always the greatest place to pitch.”

But it’s swinging the bats that has caused concern among the Padres, after getting blanked in a record 27 consecutive innings.

Just maybe the Rockies, who are expected to finish, like the Padres, in the lower part of the NL West, will be an easier foe for San Diego.

Although Green isn’t buying that theory.

“They can hit,” he stressed. “They have been scoring more runs than anyone in baseball the last couple of years. Obviously they have given them up but it is a serious lineup you have to pay attention to.”

Most are familiar with Carlos Gonzalez, Nolan Arenado and others. But it’s rookie Trevor Story that got Green’s attention.

“I saw that he hit his fourth home run already,” Green said. “The game is easy for him right now.”

All has not gone right for the Padres. But they hope to return home on the plus side of the ledger, with their first road trip under their belt.

“I think it’s great; I think it builds camaraderie,” Green said of traveling. “We got a great bunch of guys that really like each other and they are going to enjoy being out on the road together.”

Just as long as they save the first bus seat for the rookie manager, right Andy?

“I don’t get too caught up in that kind of stuff,” he said.

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