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Padres-Rockies Preview

Jul 10, 2010 - 6:13 AM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

San Diego (50-35) at Colorado (47-38), 8:10 p.m. EDT

The Colorado Rockies continue to pull out exciting victories on this homestand, and they could finish it with a share of first place in the NL West.

The Rockies look to win a season-high sixth straight game Saturday night when they continue their series against the first-place San Diego Padres.

Colorado (48-38) has used late rallies in three of the previous four nights to prevail, and Friday's 10-8 victory over San Diego (50-36) was no exception. Ian Stewart's second home run of the game was a two-out, go-ahead grand slam in the seventh inning that capped a five-run rally after the Padres held an 8-5 lead.

The Rockies already used a nine-run ninth inning to beat St. Louis 12-9 on Tuesday and won 8-7 the next night after being down by three runs in the eighth inning.

"Ever since the game on Tuesday, when were down by a bunch of runs and won, it gave us confidence, that we feel we're never out of a game," Stewart said. "No matter what inning it is, or how many runs we're down."

The Rockies - 7-1 on this 10-game homestand - moved within two games of the Padres, and can pull even with a sweep. Colorado is 7-3 against San Diego this season.

Colorado last won six straight during an eight-game run from Sept. 4-11, 2009.

"It happened like this last year down the stretch," first baseman Jason Giambi said. "We're starting to get some momentum."

Stewart finished with a career-high six RBIs on Friday and All-Star center fielder Carlos Gonzalez continued his surge with a homer among his three hits. Gonzalez is 17 for 48 with six homers and 14 RBIs over his last 11 games.

Adrian Gonzalez homered for the first time in 19 games against the Rockies. He's been a big reason for the Padres' problems in the season series, going 8 for 36 with five of his team-high 56 RBIs and 12 strikeouts.

San Diego's top hitter is 3 for 17 in his career against Colorado starter Jason Hammel (6-3, 4.18 ERA), who is 5-0 with a 2.09 ERA in eight starts since his last loss May 21. Hammel earned a decision for the first time in six starts against the Padres on June 29 by yielding three runs in six-plus innings in a 6-3 victory.

The right-hander gave up two runs over seven innings Sunday in a 4-3, 15-inning victory over San Francisco. He's 5-0 with a 2.15 ERA in his last seven outings at home.

The Padres' Wade LeBlanc (4-6, 3.10) will oppose Hammel after going 0-2 with a 3.24 ERA over his previous four starts. LeBlanc yielded one run over 6 2-3 innings Sunday in a 3-2 victory over Houston.

The left-hander is 0-1 with a 3.65 ERA in two home starts against Colorado this year, and he struck out Stewart in all five at-bats. LeBlanc earned his first career victory in his only prior outing at Coors Field on Sept. 15, 2008, giving up four runs over six innings in an 11-5 win.