Veras’ Double Is Trouble for Rockies

DENVER — Quilvio Veras didn’t see where his fly ball ended up, but it sounded good. The partisan fans at Coors Field let Veras know they weren’t happy.

Veras hit a three-run double over the head of center fielder Quinton McCracken, capping a five-run rally in the ninth inning that carried the San Diego Padres over the Colorado Rockies, 13-11, Sunday.

“I hit a two-seam fastball, something hard,” Veras said. “I didn’t see it, I wasn’t watching. I didn’t know it had gotten past him until I heard the crowd. They keep playing me shallow. I guess they see me as a guy without power, so they play me in. I try to hit it over their heads, and sometimes I get it.”

San Diego overcame deficits of 6-0 and 10-5 to win its third game of the four-game series.

With the Padres trailing, 11-8, in the ninth, Ken Caminiti led off with a walk against reliever Curtis Leskanic. Steve Finley tripled and Wally Joyner doubled, cutting the Padre deficit to 11-10 and bringing in Jeff McCurry (1-2).

Archi Cianfrocco hit an infield single off McCurry’s glove, John Flaherty sacrificed and pinch-hitter Greg Vaughn struck out.

Rickey Henderson’s walk loaded the bases, and Veras doubled over the outstretched glove of McCracken.

In a rare display by usually loyal Rocky fans, the team was booed loudly as the game ended. Colorado has lost nine of 10.

“I felt like booing, myself,” Colorado’s Dante Bichette said. “I think the fans are as frustrated as the players, as the coaches, as the manager--as everybody.”

It was the 11th blown save by a Rocky reliever this season and the second in three games by Leskanic.

Rich Batchelor (3-1) got the victory in relief, and Trevor Hoffman earned his 18th save.

Tony Gwynn recorded career hit No. 2,700, but lost ground in the batting race to Colorado’s Larry Walker, who went three for four with four RBIs to raise his average to .406. Gwynn went one for six and slipped to .398.

Finley had three hits and four RBIs for the Padres, including a three-run home run, and Caminiti added three hits and two RBIs.

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