DENVER -- Once he hit the ball down the left-field line, Kyle Blanks began talking to it in an attempt to keep it fair. On the mound and watching the ball soar toward the stands, Jeff Francis started leaning in an effort to push it foul. "I think I mightve been talking louder than he was leaning," Blanks said. Blanks hit a two-run homer that caromed off the foul screen and Eric Stults tossed seven solid innings, helping the San Diego Padres to a 4-2 win over the Colorado Rockies on Saturday night. For Blanks, this was another memorable night at Coors Field. The powerful first baseman is having quite a series, going 6 for 11 with two homers and five RBIs. And to think he almost didnt make the trip to the Mile High City. He was headed for the minors before the Padres had a late change of plans when infielder Yonder Alonso went on the disabled list. "Getting good pitches to hit. Havent been missing too many," Blanks said of his recent success. "Thats typically how anyone gets quite a few hits." For Francis (2-4), that misplaced changeup may end up costing him more than a game. The soft-tossing lefty is auditioning to keep his spot in the rotation, especially with veteran Roy Oswalt throwing well for Double-A Tulsa. This didnt exactly cement Francis place. "Im not sitting here talking about whats going to happen next week," manager Walt Weiss said when asked about Francis remaining in the rotation. "Well see what happens." Francis struggled in his first start since coming off the disabled list with a strained left groin. He allowed four runs and six hits in four innings. "I dont think I was rusty," Francis said. Everth Cabrera had three hits, including a bloop RBI double, and stole two more bases, running his season total to a major league-leading 28. Stults (5-5) never really ran into trouble against his former team, giving up seven hits and two runs (one earned) for his first win in four starts. Dale Thayer pitched out of a jam in the eighth and Luke Gregerson closed out the ninth for his second save in three chances. It was far from a routine save, though, as Gregerson had runners on second and third with one out, only to get Tyler Colvin to line out to second and then struck out Dexter Fowler to end the game. "That line drive? That will make your heart stop for a second," Gregerson said. "Once we had two outs, I went right after Fowler with a healthy dose of sliders." The Rockies were 0 for 15 with runners in scoring position. That kind of futility doesnt happen all too often to one of the top-hitting teams in the NL. "You cant expect to win when you leave so many guys on base," said Carlos Gonzalez, who was hitless in four at-bats and struck out twice. "Tonight was just a bad game. You have to forget about it." Up 4-2 in the ninth, the Padres had a chance to pad their lead when they loaded the bases with two outs. But Nolan Arenado made a magnificent play at third base, snaring Cameron Maybins slow roller with his bare hand and throwing him out at first base. The Rockies couldnt carry over the momentum. "We just didnt get the big hit tonight," Weiss said. "They did a pretty good job of getting through some things." One of the Rockies runs came courtesy of a throwing error and the other when Colvin grounded out in the seventh following D.J. LeMahieus one-out triple. Colvin was recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs earlier in the day and entered the game as part of a double-switch. Stults nearly escaped a jam in the third when the Rockies had runners at first and third with one out. He struck out Gonzalez, but catcher Yasmani Grandal overthrew second with Eric Young Jr. stealing, allowing Fowler to trot home. He was pretty much in control the rest of the way. "Ive been feeling pretty good on the mound," said Stults, who briefly pitched for the Rockies in 2011. "Just like a hitter, you kind of get a groove going. The last few starts, I feel like I have a good tempo. Ive felt good about the way Ive been throwing the ball." San Diego scored a run in the first when Chase Headley singled in Cabrera, who walked and stole second. Headley was back in the lineup after leaving the game Friday with tightness in his right calf after being hit by a pitch. Michael Cuddyer missed his second straight game with sore ribs. The outfielder is hoping he will be healed in a few days and wont have to go on the disabled list for a second time this season. NOTES: The Padres recalled RHP Burch Smith from Triple-A Tucson and optioned RHP Brad Boxberger. ... The Rockies drafted SS Brody Weiss, the son of manager Walt Weiss, in the 22nd round. Brody Weiss is committed to play next year at UC Santa Barbara. "Guess Ill have to negotiate with the Rockies in the next couple of weeks here," Walt Weiss said, smiling. ... Rockies closer Rex Brothers had his brother Hunter, a right-hander out of Lipscomb University in Tennessee, drafted by Colorado in the 24th round. ... To make room for Francis, the team designated RHP Jon Garland for assignment. ... The Rockies wore camouflage caps for Military Appreciation Day. Alfred Malone Jersey Store . The team said Saturday that Lopez was hurt during its 121-120 overtime loss at Philadelphia on Friday. The Nets said they would issue another update next week after consultation with their doctors. Dave Pacella Jersey Store .ca NBA Power Rankings, ahead of the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs. https://www.chinacheapjerseys.net/bill-baumgartner-jersey-store/ . Coach Mike Munchak says Fokou stretched ligaments in his left knee Oct. 13 against Seattle, which could keep out up to five weeks even though the linebacker didnt need surgery. Will Herring Jersey Store . Sgt. Eric ONeal says most of the arrests at Monday nights game were for public drunkenness, though one person was taken into custody on suspicion of trying to steal a seat from the stadium. John Shonk Jersey Store . LUCIE, Fla.In his first column for Sky Sports, Birmingham Bears batsman Laurie Evans gets set for the start of the 2016 NatWest T20 Blast on Friday, by talking about the Bears new captain, big-hitting Baz, and the World T20 winners... There is no doubt that us players are eagerly awaiting the return of the Friday night lights of the T20 Blast.The cold of April and early May seems to have disappeared, and fans too will be excited for the start of the T20, but for players and coaches, our planning began way back in the winter months. The T20 Blast is back this Friday as the Essex Eagles takes on Surrey live on Sky Sports 2 from 7pm Cricket is transforming at a serious pace and getting ahead is what everybody is working hard for. If you sit still in this form of the game, you get left behind.Ive been fortunate enough to make back-to-back finals-day appearances for the Birmingham Bears, being part of a winning team in 2014.Some are expecting similar success this year, but our new skipper Ian Bell certainly isnt letting us rest on our laurels. Ian Bell has made his mark as Warwickshire captain So far in four-day cricket, he has encouraged method, hard work and graft, but I know for sure hell be looking for us to attack from ball one in our first game on Friday at Nottinghamshire.He wants the guys to express themselves, and he made that clear from the start by telling everyone on our pre-season tour, you dont find anything out by sticking to what you know.True to his word, he gave me a chance to captain against the bbig-hitting might of the West Indies ahead of their World T20 win, which I thoroughly enjoyed.dddddddddddd It was a great honour. West Indies World T20 big-hitters posed a big test in pre-season Personally, I reflected on last years T20 campaign with mixed feelings and have really worked over the winter to push myself and my game forward.Hitting sixes is a skill, and is great fun to work on, but theres a perfect world which exists as a batsman in T20 cricket, a nice blend of effortless boundary hitting with relative low risk.The reality is though that striving for consistent match-winning performances without the risk of losing a wicket is a difficult thing to do. Brendon McCullum offered some invaluable advice during his spell at Birmingham last year When Brendon McCullum was with the Bears, he said to me, I look to come off maybe once every seven games.Hes one of the worlds best and even he knows its not going to happen every time he runs down the wicket.Remaining calm and moving on when it hasnt been your day are important. Play with a smile, he also always said.This year, we have another Black Cap in Luke Ronchi with us at the Bears. Having had Jeetan Patel for such a long time now, as well as Baz last year, I certainly feel there is something honest about the Kiwis. The brand of cricket they play is all about putting the team first and getting the win. Thats something I certainly try and emulate. Winning games is all that matters.Hopefully we get off to a winning start on Friday at Notts and in our first home game against Worcestershire the following Friday, May 27, a game which is live on Sky Sports.Theres no doubt this game is the most fun to play, and the crowds are a big part of that. Edgbaston really does seem to create a unique atmosphere, and hopefully we get a full house in for that first home game. Watch the first live game of the 2016 T20 Blast between Essex and Surrey from 7pm on Sky Sports 2 on Friday. Then catch Laurie Evans in action for the Birmingham Bears against Worcestershire Rapids on Friday, May 27, also on Sky Sports 2 from 6.45pm. Also See: WATCH: The Blast is back! WATCH: Top Blast moments Live cricket on Sky Get Sky Sports ' ' '