For 2019, Kirby Yates was named the National League's "Fireman of the Year." He barely doused a Colorado Rockies rally on Saturday night at Petco Park to gain his first save of 2020.
Entrusted with a two run lead, Yates allowed a run before surviving a bases loaded, one out jame as the Padres beat the Rockies, 5-4, to improve to 2-1 on the young season. Yates struck out pinch-hitter Sam Hilliard and then got leadoff man Charlie Blackmon to ground out, ending a Colorado threat that had started with two walks and two hits, including Daniel Murphy's RBI double.
The Padres had built a 5-1 lead on the strength of Ty France's first home run of the year, and a four run rally in the fifth that included RBI doubles by pitcher Dinelson Lamet and Jurickson Profar along with a two run single by Fernando Tatis, Jr., who had three hits in the game. Lamet (1-0) pitched six strong innings, retiring the first 12 batters he faced, to pick up the win.
The Rockies rallied behind Murphy, who had three hits and three RBI's. Kyle Freeland started and took the loss for Colorado (1-2), allowing five hits and five runs over five innings of work.
