DENVER (Interstat) — The Colorado Rockies, defying pregame projections and recent history, erupted for a four-run second inning and rode a resurgent performance from starter Tomoyuki Sugano to an 8-3 victory over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night at Coors Field.

A crowd of 18,114 watched the Rockies snap a five-game losing streak to their National League West rivals, improving to 10-15 on the season. The Padres, who entered the game with a 72.5% win probability according to Interstat’s ELO system and were installed as 1.5-run favorites, fell to 16-8.

The most important sequence of the game unfolded decisively in the bottom of the second inning, erasing an early Padres lead and setting the tone for a dominant Colorado offensive display. After being shut out 1-0 just a day earlier, the Rockies’ bats came alive against San Diego starter Walker Buehler. Trailing 1-0, the inning began innocently with a groundout before Troy Johnston singled. A groundout moved him to second, and Willi Castro drove him in with a single to right. The floodgates then opened: Jake McCarthy singled, Edouard Julien followed with an RBI single to tie the game, and Mickey Moniak ripped a two-run double down the right-field line to give Colorado a 3-1 lead. After a walk, Tyler Freeman capped the rally with an RBI single to shortstop, plating Julien for a 4-1 advantage. The six-hit, four-run outburst chased Buehler after just 1.2 innings, marking his shortest outing of the young season and setting him up as the losing pitcher, dropping his record to 1-2.

That inning provided all the support Sugano would need. The Rockies’ right-hander, who had taken the loss in his previous start against these same Padres on April 10, delivered a crucial bounce-back performance. He worked 5.2 innings, allowing one earned run on five hits while striking out four and walking none to earn the win, improving to 2-1. He effectively navigated a potent San Diego lineup, with the only damage against him being a first-inning run that scored on Jackson Merrill’s RBI single following a leadoff walk to Ramón Laureano.

Colorado’s offense continued to apply pressure, adding single runs in the fourth, sixth, seventh, and eighth innings. Hunter Goodman was a catalyst, finishing 3 for 4 with a double, a solo home run in the eighth, an RBI, and three runs scored. TJ Rumfield drove in two runs, including an RBI double in the sixth. Moniak added two hits and two RBIs, while Castro had two hits, an RBI, and a run scored.

The Padres, held to seven hits, never mounted a sustained threat after the first. Catcher Luis Campusano provided the bulk of their offense, going 3 for 4 with a solo home run in the seventh inning and a double in the ninth. He eventually scored San Diego’s final run on a groundout after advancing to third on an error.

San Diego’s bullpen, after Buehler’s early exit, was taxed. Kyle Hart provided 2.1 innings of long relief, allowing one run on two hits. Wandy Peralta surrendered a run in 1.2 innings of work.

The Rockies’ relief corps sealed the win, with Antonio Senzatela tossing two scoreless innings and Jaden Hill striking out three in 1.1 innings, though he allowed one run.

The result was a stark contrast to the pregame simulation from Interstat, which had projected an 8-3 Padres victory. The combined total of 11 runs did surpass the over/under line of 11.5.

The two teams conclude their four-game series on Thursday afternoon at Coors Field. The Padres will then travel to Arizona for a weekend set, while the Rockies embark on a road trip to face the New York Mets.