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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. Jared Dudley Jersey . Fielder has been out with a herniated disk in his neck, and surgery was recommended after a follow-up exam and another scan Thursday with Dr. T.J. Warren Jersey . Returning to Davis Cup tennis, Federer cruised past Ilija Bozoljac, winning 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 in less than two hours. Federer faced little challenge from Bozoljac, who served well but still was no match for his Swiss opponent. http://www.sunsofficialshop.us/josh-jac ... ns-jersey/. The match, billed as a "next-gen" encounter between two of the sports rising stars, lasted two and a half hours. The loss kept Raonic, from Thornhill, Ont., from reaching a third fourth-round spot in Melbourne over the past four years. Dan Majerle Jersey . -- Navy football player Will McKamey, who has been hospitalized since collapsing at practice three days ago, has died while in a coma. Phoenix Suns Jerseys . -- J.R. Sweezy was the one part of the Seattle Seahawks offensive line that had avoided injuries or having to change positions this season.DUNEDIN, Florida – On Wednesday, it was J.A. Happs turn to play in the ongoing game of hot potato, better known as the competition to determine who will comprise the back end of the Blue Jays starting rotation. When the figurative music stops on March 31, Opening Day, general manager Alex Anthopoulos, manager John Gibbons and pitching coach Pete Walker will make whats becoming an increasingly difficult decision thanks to consistently mediocre to subpar performances by the candidates. Walker said before Wednesdays 11-6 win over the Phillies that the game was a "big start" for Happ. He needed to pitch in the strike zone. Happ needed to force Philadephias hitters to make contact. He was scheduled to pitch four or five innings with a pitch count of 70, give or take a few. Turns out Happ threw 71 pitches but did so in only 2 2/3 innings. Only 34 of those pitches were strikes. He laboured, to be generous, allowing three runs on three hits and four walks. Afterward, Happ saw his afternoon in a positive light. "It was good," he said. "I felt strong out there. Maybe a little too good but everything was good. Health was good." The health to which Happ refers is his back, an ailment which has kept him out of Grapefruit League action since he was pulled in the first inning of a March 3 start against the Twins. Happ intends to focus on developing his rhythm, interrupted due to injury, next time out. Hes looking to more consistently harness the new arm slot he employed in the final month of last season. Happ watched video of his start and noticed hed reverted to an over-the-top angle. Its all in the name of better efficiency. "Thats the same story for everybody," said Gibbons. "To be successful in the big leagues youve got to throw a lot of strikes. Youve got to throw that strike one. You fall behind guys, it turns everything in the hitters favour and just the opposite for the pitcher. Hes capable of doing that." Two weeks ago, the 31-year-old was bothered by Anthopoulos suggestion that his spot in the starting rotation was in question. Happ isnt dwelling on it now, saying he cant worry about what he cant control. Its apparent he will be on the team, as will Esmil Rogers and Todd Redmond, his competitors for a final rotation job. The question is who will be the starter and which two will work out of a bullpen which is expected to feature eight relievers. Its believed Happ is in the drivers seat, partly because Rogers doesnt throw enough of his repertoire for strikes and Redmond tends to struggle once the oppositions lineup turns over. Remember, too, that Happ is owed $5.2 million this year on an extension signed the day Ricky Romero was cut from camp last spring. The idea of having $12.7 million on the books for Happ and Romero, with neither in the starting rotation, cant be a pleasant one. "I dont feel like Im far," said Happ. "You guys, youre going to take that outing for what it was and it doesnt look pretty. Pitch-wise, like I said, Im up to 70 and next time be 85-90 and still feel strong thatll be a good thing. Im close." "Im looking forward to his next start," said Gibbons. &qquot;Thats all Ive got to say.dddddddddddd" The game of hot potato continues on Thursday when the Blue Jays visit the Phillies. Another back end of the rotation candidate gets the start. Over to you, Esmil Rogers. ROMERO AND STROMAN REASSIGNED Ricky Romero and Marcus Stroman shipped out to minor league camp on Wednesday morning. Both were outsiders, at best, to crack the opening day roster but both impressed at times during Grapefruit League play. "We just feel they both need more work," said manager John Gibbons. "As far as Ricky, hes moving in the right direction. We really like what he did this camp. Just go down there and polish it up. Stro, hes kind of the odd man out. He had trouble throwing strikes (Tuesday). Hes got to do that. They both need more work." After two down years the bar wasnt set high for Romero. With that as a consideration, its fair to say he exceeded expectations. He had two positive outings before he cratered against the Tigers on Tuesday, reverting to his wild ways. "He showed us enough in the previous two outings before (Tuesday) that you know what, hey, its coming," said Gibbons. "Its a long road and you never really know whether a guy is going to make it back or not but he was starting to show the signs of it." Stroman showed flashes of the pitcher the Blue Jays believe he will become but he was inconsistent all spring, culminating with an ugly performance on Tuesday. The Tigers knocked him around for seven runs on five hits in one-third of an inning. "We brought Stroman in, he pitched in Double-A for us and he had a legitimate shot (at making the club,") said Gibbons. "We dont think hes quite ready. Hes not polished yet so hes got to go down there and work on some things." The Jays still need to add two to a rotation which features R.A. Dickey, Brandon Morrow and Mark Buehrle. While the pitching coach offers praise to Drew Hutchison, Pete Walker wont yet guarantee him a spot. "Not ready to say that," said Walker. "Obviously, were extremely pleased with the way hes thrown the ball. Hes certainly shown hes capable of getting major league hitters out. His velocity, his strength, his bounce back, right now, after outings has been fantastic. Hes shown poise on the mound. Hes done everything you need to do to earn a spot, theres no question, but were just in a position right now, were sorting through some things to make sure we make the right decision." SANCHEZ AROUND FOR EXPERIENCE Aaron Sanchez is getting plenty of opportunity to pitch in Grapefruit League games, often the back end of a starters piggyback. Hes thrown as many as four innings in a game and is scheduled to work in relief of Todd Redmond against the Rays on Friday. "He wont make the team," said manager John Gibbons. "We want to keep him around, pitching in some of these games for the experience factor." Sanchez, 21, is considered the Jays top pitching prospect. He threw 109 2/3 innings combined with High-A Dunedin and in the Arizona Fall League last season. Its expected he will begin the year at Double-A New Hampshire. NFL Jerseys Cheap Wholesale Jerseys China China Jerseys Cheap Jerseys 2018 Wholesale Authentic Jerseys Cheap Jerseys 2018 China Jerseys Cheap ' ' '