Rockies-Padres Series Grades: Artfully avoiding perfection

The Colorado Rockies split a two-game series with the San Diego Padres in California, getting nearly no-hit by former Rockie Jordan Lyles in the loss.

The first game was highlighted by a trio of home runs, and—oddly enough—the Rockies got the win in the game their starting pitcher didn’t do as well.

This is the first time this season no player managed to achieve at least a “B+” grade.

Here are our individual player grades for performance during the set:

Nolan Arenado (B): He grabbed three base hits in the first game and went hitless like everyone but Story in the second game. He also knocked in a run.

Gerardo Parra (C+): Parra came up with just one hit in eight at-bats against the Padres but it was a huge one, blasting a three-run shot that swung the first game in Colorado’s favor.

Noel Cuevas (C): The Rockies right-handed outfielder went 1-for-6 with a big solo home run that tied the first game.

Daniel Castro (C): Castro also went 1-for-6 with a solo home run that put the Rockies on top in the first game.

Charlie Blackmon (C-): Blackmon walked twice and threw out one single but did not factor in any scoring.

Trevor Story (D+): Would probably have been a straight “D” after getting just one single in eight at-bats in the series, but that one single is the one that broke up the Lyles no-hitter.

David Dahl (D-): Dahl went 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts.

German Marquez (C+): He allowed a lot of baserunners in the first couple of innings but kept the scoring to just a two-run homer by Eric Hosmer, working five innings, giving up six hits, striking out five and walking one.

Tyler Anderson (C): Anderson was able to limit the damage in his outing but did give up seven base hits and a walk, four runs, though just three earned, while striking out three. The offense picked him up, though.