Butler shows improvement in Rockies 6-3 loss to Padres

The Colorado Rockies got out to a 3-0 lead but couldn’t hold on late, losing to the Sand Diego Padres for 6-3 in disappointing fashion. For the second consecutive day, the Rockies got a positive outing from a young pitcher hoping to factor into the team’s future. Eddie Butler did not allow a base-runner until he had two outs in the fourth at which point he surrendered back-to-back home runs to Matt Kemp and Brett Wallace.

Butler got through the fifth with ease but found himself in trouble in the sixth giving up doubles to Wil Myers and Wallace, the latter of which chased Eddie from the game. Justin Miller allowed one inherited runner, but the four Butler gave up on his own would be enough with the Rockies failing to score after the second inning.

Butler finished with 5.2 IP, 4 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 3 K.

The Rockies offense got on the board immediately with a lead-off home run for Charlie Blackmon. They then loaded the bases on singles from Trevor Story and Carlos Gonzalez and a walk to Nolan Arenado. But Gerardo Parra struck out, leaving only Mark Reynolds’ sacrifice fly the only run the Rockies would get out of the promising situation.

Story drove in LeMahieu in the second on a single up the middle but the Rockies offense let Padres pitcher Andrew Cashner off the hook in the first few innings and once he settled in he never looked back.

Turning point

Had Butler gotten through the sixth clean, the Rockies might have been able to turn the game over to their more reliable relivers. He had two outs before allowing the runs, meaning that this one may have been closer than it appears.

Lasting Impact

Despite his sub-par final line, Eddie Butler pitched a (mostly) very good game. He flashed dominance and was really in control of his pitch count. He showed command of all four pitches but his stuff flattened out and elevated late. If he has more outings like this one, calls for Butler to move to the pen will increase in validity.

What’s Next

The Rockies try to salvage a game in the series at the Padres, sending Tyler Chatwood to the hill against Cesar Vargas.