DENVER (AP) -- San Diego manager Bud Black brought an extra outfielder into the infield, hoping to entice a ground ball and somehow escape an improbable situation.
No such luck.
Pinch-hitter Daniel Descalso ruined the ploy by lifting an RBI single in the ninth inning after Corey Dickerson tied the game in the eighth with his second solo homer of the night, helping the Colorado Rockies snap a five-game skid with a 5-4 win over the Padres on Wednesday.
It was a wild look, though, with center fielder Wil Myers jogging into the infield with the bases loaded and one out.
"With Descalso, if we get the ball down, he might be prone to hit it into the ground," Black explained. "He put a pretty good swing on it."
Nolan Arenado began the ninth with a single off Shawn Kelley (0-2). Michael McKenry later lined a one-out single to center that moved Arenado to third. After intentionally walking DJ LeMahieu, Descalso came through with a single to left-center.
He was mobbed by teammates between first and second after his hit.
"A bunch of grown men jumping around like little kids -- it doesn't really get much better than that," said Descalso, who signed with the Rockies in December.
It's a pitch Kelley would like to have back.
"I tried to stay down and tried to get a ground ball," Kelley said. "I got ahead with the first pitch and left the second up a little bit."
Yangervis Solarte and Myers hit solo homers for the Padres, who have won two of three in this four-game series. The only time San Diego has captured a four-game series at Coors Field was July 10-13, 1997.
Rockies starter Kyle Kendrick was cruising along until running into trouble in the seventh. After Derek Norris tied the game at 3 with a run-scoring double, Troy Tulowitzki made a diving stop on Will Middlebrooks' grounder up the middle to keep Norris from scoring.
It didn't last as two batters later pinch-hitter Cory Spangenberg lined a double, bringing home Norris to give the Padres a 4-3 lead.
"This is a team where everyone contributes," Spangenberg said. "You have to be ready when you get the call."
The Padres almost added some insurance runs with runners on second and third as Myers hit a hard grounder that appeared headed to left. But Arenado dove into the hole, snared it and threw Myers out at first to keep it a one-run game.
"It's always nice to come back and have a good game and help your team win," said Arenado, who's been bothered by a sore left wrist.
Dickerson tied the game the next inning by sending a 3-2 changeup from Joaquin Benoit into the seats in center. It was the third career multihomer game for Dickerson, who was back in the lineup after sitting out Tuesday with plantar fasciitis (he did pinch-hit, though).
Colorado reliever John Axford was reinstated before the game and threw a perfect eighth inning. Axford was placed on the family medical emergency list on April 12 to tend to his 2-year-old son, who was bitten by a rattlesnake last month in Arizona.
Axford said his "mind is at ease" with his son now home from the hospital.
James Shields had another efficient performance away from home, allowing three runs and six hits in six innings. Shields led the American League with 10 road victories last season while with Kansas City.
"He could have kept going if we hadn't gotten to his spot (in the batting order)," Black said. "He had possibly eight innings in him."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Padres: Black was noncommittal on who would start Saturday. It could be Ian Kennedy (strained left hamstring) or Odrisamer Despaigne. ... Black said he gave no thoughts to resting OF Justin Upton (left quad). "J-Up is doing better," Black said.
Rockies: Put RHP LaTroy Hawkins on the 15-day disabled list with biceps tendinitis. Hawkins recently lost his role as closer. "I think this gives him some time to recover," manager Walt Weiss said.
UP NEXT
Padres: RHP Tyson Ross (1-0, 4.08) makes his first start as a 28-year-old after celebrating his birthday Wednesday.
Rockies: RHP Jordan Lyles (1-1, 3.50) has surrendered 21 earned runs in six career starts against the Padres.
