• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Padres-Rockies Preview

Apr 28, 2009 - 6:02 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

San Diego (10-9) at Colorado (7-11), 8:40 p.m. EDT

The Colorado Rockies appear to be heating up at the plate, but they may be without one of their key contributors for an uncertain amount of time.

After scoring 10 or more runs for the second straight game, the Rockies look for a third straight victory Tuesday night when they continue their home series with the struggling San Diego Padres.

Dexter Fowler tied a modern-day rookie record with five stolen bases in Colorado's 12-7 win over San Diego on Monday. It came a day after the Rockies (7-11) beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 10-4 to snap a three-game losing streak.

Colorado stole eight bases - the second-most in team history - and endured a scary moment when outfielder Brad Hawpe was taken off the field on a cart and then to the hospital with a possible concussion after being hit in the neck by a throw to second base from Padres catcher Nick Hundley.

"We know he's doing OK," Colorado's Ryan Spilborghs said.

It's uncertain how much time will be missed by Hawpe, who had two hits to extend his six-game hitting streak and raise his average to .328.

Ian Stewart drove in three runs and Garrett Atkins had two hits with three RBIs for the Rockies, who last scored 10 or more runs in three straight contests from July 20-22.

"It's a good lineup and if you fall behind you're asking for trouble," said Monday's losing pitcher Chris Young of the Rockies.

Atkins is 6-for-16 with five RBIs during a four-game hitting streak and batting .343 with 58 RBIs in 77 games against the Padres.

The Rockies hope to give Jorge De La Rosa (0-2, 3.78 ERA) similar support in this contest.

De La Rosa allowed two runs and six hits while striking out six in 6 2-3 innings, but was outpitched by Dan Haren in Colorado's 2-0 loss at Arizona on Wednesday.

"He hadn't been close to that," manager Clint Hurdle said. "He gave us everything you can ask."

The left-hander allowed six runs in five innings of a 15-8 loss to the Padres on June 30 in his only career start against them.

Jody Gerut had three hits and Chase Headley drove in a pair of runs Monday for San Diego (10-9), which has lost three in a row and six of seven.

The Padres, who have been outscored 47-22 in their last seven contests, look to avoid a fifth consecutive road defeat and fourth in a row at Colorado.

Recently called up veteran Chad Gaudin takes the ball in his 2009 debut for San Diego.

Gaudin, who was picked up by the Padres after being released by the Chicago Cubs earlier this month, threw 8 2-3 scoreless innings in two starts for Triple-AAA Portland.

The right-hander, who is 16-18 with a 4.71 ERA in 50 starts, makes his first against Colorado since allowing three runs in 4 2-3 innings while with Tampa Bay in an 8-7, 10-inning victory over the Rockies in 2004.

A reliever throughout his time with the Cubs in the second half of 2008, Gaudin is excited to have the chance to start.

"I feel that I'm as good as I can be as a starter," Gaudin told the Padres' official Web site. "Naturally, I feel that I can succeed the most in that (spot) and that's what I'm most comfortable with."