Padres pull off historic feat not seen since 1889 in 21-0 demolition of Rockies

The San Diego Padres steamrolled the Colorado Rockies 21-0 in a game that was a celebration for Padres fans and another brutal blow for a Rockies team deep in crisis. The win wasn’t just lopsided—it was historic.

With five different Padres hitting home runs and starter Stephen Kolek throwing a complete-game shutout, San Diego became the first MLB team since 1889 to score 20 or more runs while also getting a 9-inning shutout from its starting pitcher.

“The Padres are the first MLB team to score 20+ runs and have their starter throw a 9-inning shutout since the Cincinnati Red Stockings did so against the Baltimore Orioles on August 10, 1889,” OptaStats posted on X.

20-run shutouts are rare—but not unprecedented

While the Padres joined elite company with their record-breaking combination of offense and pitching, other teams in recent history have also delivered dominant 20-run shutouts. The Cubs beat the Pirates 21-0 in 2023, and the Brewers did the same in a 20-0 blowout back in 2010.

The Padres are currently in strong form, sitting at 25-13 atop the NL West—edging out the Dodgers for now—with a .658 winning percentage and a two-game win streak. Whether the hot start holds remains to be seen, but they’re projecting well heading into the end of May.

Meanwhile, the Rockies are sinking

Beyond the Padres’ historic night, the Rockies’ nightmare continues. The blowout marked their eighth straight loss since May 2. With a record of 6-33, Colorado owns the worst mark in baseball and is on pace for a disastrous season that could trigger major changes within the organization.