Archiv » s tied after two, so I was happy."

DENVER -- The San Diego Padres are picking their spots with Carlos Quentin as they ease him back into action following his return from a knee injury that sidelined him for the first six weeks of the season. He came through in a tough spot Saturday night. Seth Smith homered against his former team early, Quentin added a two-run, pinch-hit home run, and the San Diego Padres hung on to beat the Colorado Rockies 8-5 Saturday night. "When you come back, youre looking to get hits to put yourself in a nice rhythm out there," Quentin said. "Looking to be hitting in the middle of the lineup, you want to drive the ball and it was nice to get that first ball driven, first home run out of the way." San Diego staked Robbie Erlin (3-4) to a 6-1 lead by roughing up previously unbeaten Jordan Lyles (5-1), who walked a career-high six batters in a season-low 3 1-3 inning outing. The Rockies got an early home run from Troy Tulowitzki and chipped away at the Padres lead, pulling to within a run on Carlos Gonzalezs two-run double in the sixth inning. Quentin rebuilt the cushion in the seventh. Activated this week after spending the first six weeks of the season on the disabled list because of a left knee bone contusion, Quentin batted for reliever Nick Vincent and followed Yasmani Grandals two-out single with a drive off reliever Chris Martin that sailed into the left field bleachers for his first home run of the season. "Youre always trying to add on regardless of where you are but especially here at Coors," Smith said. "A crooked number is waiting every inning, so youve got to try to hold them down and expand the lead any chance you get. Thats why Carlos homer was really big." Quentin swung through a first pitch fastball from Martin, but he connected when the reliever came back with another. "It felt good to get some runs on the board, give us that cushion," Quentin said. "The Rockies were charging. Everybody knows they can swing the bat. Theyve shown it all year. I was fortunate enough to put a good swing on the ball and help slow that momentum." Erlin, who entered hitless in 11 at-bats over his eight previous games, singled twice, including an RBI single in the third inning that capped three consecutive two-run innings by the Padres. On the mound, Erlin allowed four runs on nine hits in five innings. He struck out two and walked none and benefited from a defence that turned five double plays, including four in the first five innings. Huston Street, also a former Rockie, got three outs for his 13th save in as many opportunities. Lyles, who saw his ERA increase to 3.50 from 2.66, had control problems from the outset. He issued first-inning walks to Everth Cabrera and Smith before giving up a two-two-run double to Yonder Alonso. "I just didnt throw enough strikes," Lyles said. "Too many balls, too many strikes. Im not going to be successful like that. You cant put guys on base that many times. Its just one of those things you learn from. Turn the corner and get better from it." Tulowitzki, who had three hits, answered in the bottom of the first with his NL-leading 12th homer of the season. But Smith, who played for the Rockies from 2007-11, made it 4-1 San Diego in the second. One out after Chris Denorfia doubled, Smith drove a 1-1 offering from Lyles over the centre field fence for his fourth home run of the season. The Rockies pulled to 6-3 on Gonzalezs sacrifice fly in the fourth and Jordan Pachecos RBI single in the fifth. "Just a tough night," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "We fought back. I think everyone thought wed end up winning that game but we came up short." NOTES: San Diego right-handed reliever Donn Roach (1-0) will start Sundays series finale against the Rockies in place of Andrew Cashner, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of soreness in his pitching (right) elbow. Roach be opposed by Colorados Juan Nicasio (4-2). ... The Padres recalled RHP Kevin Quackenbush from Triple-A El Paso to fill Cashners roster spot. ... Lyles previous career high for walks was five against Boston on July 3, 2011, while with Houston. ... The pinch homer was the fourth of Quentins career and the fifth by a Padre this season, most in the majors. ... Weiss said Brandon Barnes was unavailable Saturday because of a stomach illness. Cheap Hurricanes Jerseys China . The New York State Supreme Court only partially dismissed the lawsuit, meaning the case could be headed for trial. 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Leaning forward with both hands on his knees, Buffon appeared to be resting or somehow trying to withstand the rain. Or perhaps the 36-year-old goalkeeper and Italy captain was reflecting on this: He is only the third player in history to be part of five World Cup squads, along with Germany great Lothar Matthaus and former Mexico goalkeeper Antonio Carbajal.AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Kevin Stadler might be playing in the Masters for the first time, but hes already showing his old man a thing or two. Such as the best way to get to the Augusta National media centre. Craig Stadler went through the main door for a joint news conference with his son Monday, which is actually the long way to go. Kevin, meanwhile, slipped in through a back entrance, like most players who turn up for interviews at the building alongside the first fairway. "Howd you come in?" Craig asked his son, looking a bit surprised when he turned to see Kevin standing behind him. "Through the door," Kevin replied dryly, very much the child poking fun at his dad. All kidding aside, the Stadlers are gearing up for a historic week at Augusta National. For the first time, a father and son will play in the same Masters -- Craig, who says hell probably be teeing it up for the 38th and final time, and Kevin, making his debut in the opening major of the season. "If and when I do ... bow out, I cant think of a better way to do it than playing with your son in the same tournament," the elder Stadler said. "Its awesome." Sixty-year-old Craig won the Masters in 1982, beating Dan Pohl in a playoff, and has been back every year since. Kevin, now 34, used to come each year as a child to cheer on his dad Now, hes got a spot of his own after winning at Phoenix two months ago for his first PGA Tour victory. "Its going to be really, really fun to be on the inside of the ropes," Kevin said. "I feel like I know this place pretty well but Ive never, ever played it. So its going to be a blast." Kevin, whose parents are divorced, has conceded the relationship with his father isnt as close as it once was, and there were times Monday when he seemed hesitant to turn this into a totally feel-good story. But the pair went out for a practice round -- which was cut short after only two holes when heavy rain brought a halt to play -- and theyre planning to play together again Tuesday, when the forecast called for much-improved conditions. And if theyre paired together in the first two rounds, that would be just fine with Kevin. "I wouldnt have any issues with that," he said, smiling. Besides, the younger Stadler is making a name for himself, after a lifetime of being compared with his father (right down to their matching physiques, wwith both listed as 5-foot-10, 250 pounds by the PGA Tour).dddddddddddd Kevin won four times on the second-tier Nationwide Tour and appears poised for a breakout at the highest level. He has made the cut in 10 of 11 events this year, is 14th in the FedEx Cup, and has already eclipsed his career high for earnings in a season with nearly $1.7 million. "Hes become just a wonderfully consistent player and has his own identity and everything else, which he should," Craig said. "Hes worked hard for it and hes earned it. Good for him, and Im just going to kind of stand on the sidelines and watch, which is all I want to do, and just be supportive and root him on and hope more Phoenixes happen in the future. A lot more." In fact, the proud father wouldnt be at all surprised if Kevin made a serious run at the green jacket on his very first try. The younger Stadler is quite accurate with his irons, which should come in handy with all the dips and bumps on those tricky Augusta greens. "Thats why I actually love his game for this golf course," Craig said. "You do have to hit the ball high with the irons a little bit. And as far as Im concerned, and he might disagree, but I think hes just a wonderful iron player. I think thats definitely the strength of his game, and having your iron game down here makes this course so much easier." Even after getting just a taste of their practice round, father and son managed to trade some good-natured jabs. "I bogeyed 1 and birdied 2 and he parred them both," Craig said. "I was tied after two, so I was happy." "That birdie I made on 2 doesnt count, huh?" Kevin countered. "You didnt make that putt," Craig said. "Did you?" "Of course I did," Kevin said, drawing laughter from the room. Craig, who hasnt made the cut at Augusta since 2007 or been a serious contender in more than two decades, is certainly appreciative of the chance to end his Masters career with his son at his side. "Thanks to Kev here, I got back to the press room for the first time in about 20 years," the elder Stadler quipped. "Im so proud of the way hes played the last three, four years. Hes been close a zillion times and finally got it done, so its a very special week." Already, it seems, the Masters is smoothing out some of the bumps in their relationship. ' ' '