SAN DIEGO — Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver once said, "Momentum is the next day's starting pitcher."
And for almost four innings Tuesday night, the Rockies were riding a tidal wave of momentum with right-hander Eddie Butler on the mound. Backed by a quick start from his offense, Butler pitched a perfect game for 3 innings. Working quickly and efficiently, he needed only 39 pitches to get through his first three innings.
But Butler's excellence didn't last, the Rockies' offense quickly went dormant and San Diego rallied for a 6-3 victory. The momentum Colorado gained by sweeping three games at Arizona over the weekend vanished at Petco Park with a second consecutive defeat to the Padres.