Rockies hold Padres to five hits; Koshansky's homer just enough

DENVER -- Joe Koshansky made the most of some rare playing time Wednesday.

Koshansky homered and five Colorado Rockies pitchers combined for a five-hitter in a 1-0 win over the San Diego Padres.

Koshansky, who clubbed 31 homers in Triple-A this season, has backed up Garrett Atkins at first base since being called up on Sept. 2. Wednesday was his first start, and he responded with a 2-for-4 day at the plate.

"The situation he's in right now, he hasn't accepted it, but he understands it," manager Clint Hurdle said. "We haven't forgotten about him. It's a tough fit right now."

Koshansky played seven games for the Rockies in July before heading back to Triple-A. He entered with only five pinch-hit at-bats since being recalled two weeks ago, but he looked sharp when he sent Josh Geer's 3-2 fastball over the center-field wall with two out in the fourth.

"He got it up, and I figured he was going to throw a fastball," Koshansky said.

Koshansky said he has stayed sharp by taking extra batting practice and swinging in the tunnel during games.

"I've actually taken a lot of swings," he said. "It's a matter of remembering what it feels like. It's the same game I've played for 20-plus years."

Koshansky's 435-foot drive was enough for Colorado's pitching staff. Starter Livan Hernandez and Glendon Rusch, Ryan Speier, Manny Corpas and Brian Fuentes shut down the Padres' offense.

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.

Hernandez hadn't pitched in a week and said he had nothing to prove despite going 1-3 with a 9.85 ERA in his first five starts with Colorado.

"I don't have to show my ability to nobody," he said. "The last start I didn't pitch that bad. The only bad games I've had are the first two games."

Geer (2-1) scattered five hits over five innings, struck out five and walked three. His only mistake was the pitch to Koshansky.

"He was battling up there," Geer said. "I threw a fastball, and he was able to flip it up there, just over the center-field fence."

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

The Padres struggled to score after getting 10 runs and 18 hits Monday night.

"Yeah, we're fatigued, but pitchers are fatigued this time of year, too," Padres left fielder Chase Headley said. "Good pitching beats good hitting every time."

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

"We couldn't break through their bullpen," Padres manager Bud Black said. "Their bullpen did a nice job. Speier, Corpas and Fuentes did a nice job."

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

Game notes
This was seventh 1-0 game in Coors Field history and the second in four days. The Rockies beat the Dodgers 1-0 on Sunday. ... 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.