5 Rockies pitchers combine to 5-hit Padres

[September 18, 2008]  DENVER (AP) -- Joe Koshansky homered and five Colorado pitchers combined for a five-hitter in the Rockies' 1-0 win over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday.

Starter Livan Hernandez and relievers Glendon Rusch, Ryan Speier, Manny Corpas and Brian Fuentes shut down the Padres' offense.

Koshansky, Chris Iannetta and Ian Stewart had two hits each for the Rockies, who won the last two games of the three-game series.

Hernandez (2-3) was named the starter late Tuesday after the Rockies decided to shelve left-hander Jeff Francis for the season. On short notice, Hernandez went five innings, struck out two and walked two in his sixth start since joining the Rockies on Aug. 10.

Koshansky accounted for the only run with a two-out drive over the center-field wall off of San Diego starter Josh Greer (2-1) in the fourth inning. Iannetta followed with a double and Omar Quintanilla was intentionally walked, but Geer escaped more damage by getting Hernandez to ground out to end the inning.

The Rockies had a chance to extend the lead in the eighth with a pair of two-out singles, but Iannetta grounded out to end the inning.

The Padres' best threat came in the seventh inning. With one out Sean Kazmar singled to third and moved to second on a throwing error by Stewart. Pinch-hitter Drew Macias walked, and the runners moved up on a groundout by Will Venable. But Speier got out of the jam when Edgar Gonzalez grounded out to third.

Corpas pitched a perfect eighth inning and Fuentes struck out two in the ninth for his 28th save in 32 chances.

Geer gave up five hits, struck out five and walked three in five innings.

Notes: San Diego OF Brian Giles has reached base in 26 of his last 27 games. ... Padres 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff was hit by a pitch for the 14th time this season, a franchise record. ... The Rockies extended their affiliation with Casper, Wyo., the site of the team's Rookie League ballclub, through 2010.

[Associated Press]

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