DENVER (AP) – Jason Jennings scattered seven hits in seven innings, All-Star Brian Fuentes escaped a bases-loaded jam in the ninth, and the Colorado Rockies beat the San Diego Padres 1-0 Saturday night in the lowest-scoring game in Coors Field history.

Jennings (5-8) walked four, struck out one and benefited from three double plays. Jay Witasick worked the eighth before Fuentes pitched around trouble for his 12th save in 14 chances, finishing the 28th shutout at Coors Field – 16th combined.

Fuentes walked the first two batters, then struck out pinch-hitters Geoff Blum and Xavier Nady. An error on Eric Young’s grounder by shortstop Luis Gonzalez – who drove in the game’s only run – loaded the bases before Fuentes fanned Brian Giles.

There had been three 2-0 games at the 11-year-old stadium, including the Rockies’ victory over Detroit on June 10. This was the 847th regular-season game at Coors Field, the most any stadium needed before hosting its first 1-0 game.

San Diego also loaded the bases in the sixth with one out after a walk to Giles and singles by Ryan Klesko and Mark Sweeney. Ramon Hernandez rolled to Gonzalez for an easy double play to end the threat.

The Padres stranded two more runners in the a seventh when Young flied out with two on and two outs, then couldn’t score after Witasick, a former Padre, walked Giles to open the eighth.

Brian Lawrence (5-8) lost despite allowing seven hits in 7 1-3 innings.

Colorado broke through in the sixth when Aaron Miles reached on a perfectly placed bunt with one out. Gonzalez hit the next pitch to the wall in right-center field to score Miles.

Colorado missed a chance to score in the fourth. Todd Helton led off with a double, but Preston Wilson fouled out to first baseman Mark Sweeney who threw to third base to get Helton attempting to advance.

Notes: The Padres will activate RHP Pedro Astacio before his start on Sunday. … Jennings was nicked in the left foot by the barrel of Lawrence’s bat in the third inning. He was unhurt. … Brad Hawpe left the game with a strained left hamstring after sliding hard into second base in the fifth inning. … Colorado will send LHP Bobby Seay to a hand specialist to examine his inflamed left hand.

AP-ES-07-09-05 2252EDT


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.