Fernando Tatís Jr. hit a three-run homer to cap the Padres’ six-run second inning, on the way to beating the Rockies 10-8 on Saturday and ending a five-game skid.
Randy Vásquez pitched six solid innings and Freddy Fermin, like Tatis, drove in three runs.
The Padres finally gained on the Dodgers, moving to within a game of the NL West lead after LA, up 3-0 with two outs in the ninth inning, lost 4-3 at Baltimore.
It’s been a perfect time for the Padres to gain ground on the Dodgers, now losers of five straight. Trouble is, the Friars kept losing too. Yet the stretch did not shake manager Mike Shildt’s belief in his club.
“We know what it takes to be successful and that’s really important,” he said.
Vasquez (4-6) put a stop to the losing streak, allowing three runs – two earned – in his