San Diego Makes MLB History in Colorado
The San Diego Padres rewrote baseball history on May 10th with a jaw-dropping 21-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field – the largest shutout margin in MLB since 1889. But Sunday’s lineup card delivered an unexpected twist: breakout star Jackson Merrill, fresh off a four-hit night, was sidelined by a sudden stomach illness just hours before the series finale.

The Record-Breaking Offense

San Diego’s offensive explosion featured:

• 24 total hits (franchise record)

• 5 home runs, including solo shots from Fernando Tatis Jr. and Xander Bogaerts

• 3 RBIs each from Tatis, Luis Arraez, and Jake Cronenworth

The historic performance overshadowed Stephen Kolek’s unlikely gem on the mound. The converted reliever pitched a complete-game shutout with just five hits allowed, becoming the first pitcher since 1889 to throw nine scoreless innings while his team scored 20+ runs.

Merrill’s Health Halts Hot Streak

The 22-year-old rookie had been unstoppable since returning from a hamstring injury:

• .538 batting average in five games

• Four hits in Saturday’s historic win

• Five consecutive multi-hit performances

“He couldn’t keep anything down this morning,” manager Mike Shildt revealed postgame. Medical staff administered IV fluids and is monitoring Merrill for potential viral or foodborne causes.

Roster Resilience on Display

San Diego’s depth proved crucial in Sunday’s 5-3 series-clinching win:

• Utilityman Tyler Wade stepped into center field

• Gavin Sheets filled Merrill’s cleanup spot

• Bullpen preserved Kolek’s historic effort

The Padres now lead the NL West at 25-13, but Merrill’s bat remains vital. Before his April hamstring injury, the rookie posted a .378/.415/.676 slash line – production San Diego can’t afford to lose long-term.

What’s Next for San Diego?

Team officials remain cautiously optimistic:

• Merrill could return as early as Monday vs. Angels

• Shildt: “We’ll reevaluate him daily – hydration’s the priority”

• Rotation decisions loom after Kolek’s breakout start

With Manny Machado and Tatis Jr. anchoring the lineup, San Diego’s championship aspirations stay intact. But as their historic weekend proved, even record-breaking wins come with new challenges.