DENVER (AP) — There was one consolation for Melvin Upton Jr., and the San Diego Padres during their record scoring drought to start this season.
"You've got to score eventually," Upton said.
Matt Kemp homered, had four hits and drove in four runs; Upton also homered and the Padres beat the Colorado Rockies 13-6 Friday, snapping their major league record 30-inning scoreless streak to start the season.
"We've just been trying to keep it loose," Upton said. "We kept it loose all yesterday on the plane. Kept it loose before the game. We stopped trying to force the issue today and just let it happen. Guys were themselves today and it showed."
San Diego, which opened the year with three consecutive shutout losses to the Los Angeles Dodgers, weathered two more homers from Colorado rookie shortstop Trevor Story in giving Padres manager Andy Green his first career victory and spoiling the Rockies' home opener. Yangervis Solarte added three hits and four RBIs.
Green said the mood in the dugout brightened the moment Jon Jay singled in the fourth to drive in the first of San Diego's six runs in the inning and give the Padres their first lead this season.
"(There was) laughter, guys just relaxing and having a good time," Green said. "You can tell somebody to relax and it doesn't necessarily work. Sometimes, you just have to take a deep breath and let the circumstances arrive where you finally relax. I think this will be a good learning experience for us. We're going to have a lot of stressful times in the next 158 games."
Story got three hits and has homered six times in four games, including a pair of multihomer games. He's the first player ever to homer in his first four big league games.
"Everybody loves to hit here. I think that's across baseball," Green said before the game. "I think it's just the way it is. It's a good time to come here."
Left-hander Robbie Erlin (1-0) got the win with 3 2/3 scoreless innings. He allowed just one hit.
San Diego put together its big fourth inning against Jordan Lyles (0-1), making his first start since May 31, 2015.
Lyles missed the second half of last season after having surgery on his left big toe. He was tagged for five runs and seven hits in 3 1/3 innings.
Justin Miller surrendered Kemp's three-run homer in the fifth and Upton's two-run shot in the sixth.
"Honestly, I think Jon Jay broke the ice, getting that first run and then after that we kind of just went from there," Kemp said. "It's just good to get that first win and hopefully we can carry that over."
FRIENDLY CONFINES
Kemp's four hits were his most since Aug. 15, when he had the first cycle in Padres' history against the Rockies at Coors Field.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Padres: Erlin was recalled from Triple-A El Paso when LHP Matt Thornton was put on the 15-day DL with left Achilles tendon tendinitis, retroactive to Monday. The Padres also will have to make a move once LHP Brad Hand reports to the team. The club claimed Hand off waivers Friday from the Miami Marlins.
UP NEXT
Padres: LHP Drew Pomeranz makes his first appearance this season on Saturday.
Rockies: LHP Jorge De La Rosa (0-0, 9.64 ERA) gets the start. De La Rosa has a 48-16 career record at Coors.
