• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Holliday's blast helps Rockies beat Padres

Apr 7, 2007 - 6:43 AM SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Jason Hirsh will have stories to tell his grandchildren.

Hirsh outpitched four-time Cy Young winner Greg Maddux and Matt Holliday hit a two-run homer as the Colorado Rockies posted a 4-3 victory over the San Diego Padres.

Hirsch (1-0), who was acquired from the Houston Astros as part of a five-player deal this offseason, struck out eight in 6 2/3 innings and allowed just one run and six hits without a walk.

"I just wanted to have a better showing than I did in spring training, and we worked out some things in the bullpen," Hirsh said. "I just went out there and was able to execute tonight, and that was the big thing was executing my pitches.

The 25-year-old Hirsh was a minor league-phenom in the Astros' farm system but struggled after being called up to the major leagues late last season. He had a 7.13 ERA this spring in 17 2/3 innings.

"Not everybody can say they've faced Greg Maddux before in their career and that's something that now I can say, and to beat him on top of that adds to it."

"There has been a lot of talk, and all (Hirsh) wanted was an opportunity to go out and pitch," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "It was the home opener against Maddux. He handled himself well. That's the stuff you tell stories about later when you get old."

Having been defeated by San Diego in his major league debut, Hirsh fared better the second time around against the Padres, who touched him for three home runs in 2006.

"Obviously, I'm a lot happier because I won the game this time," Hirsh said. "Last year I came up and I was wide-eyed and seeing all of these guys for the first time. It was good to get that out of the system and this year I can just get down to business and be the pitcher everyone wants me to be."

Holliday had a pair of hits, including a two-run shot in the Rockies' decisive three-run sixth inning that provided a 4-1 lead and chased Maddux from the game.

"I think it was a sinker," Holliday said. "(Being aggressive) is sort of my gameplan against Greg Maddux. I don't want to stand around and watch him paint the corners. I want to be aggressive, and that's what we were able to do. He's such a great pitcher, but he does make mistakes and you just try to capitalize."

Maddux (0-1), making his Padres debut, allowed four runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings with four strikeouts and a walk.

"I didn't make a good enough pitch there to Holliday at the end, and I walked Helton before," Maddux said. "I've got no one to blame but myself. It's unfortunate. You just hope you would make a better pitch in that situation, and hopefully next time I'll remember it and do better."

"At that point, Greg I thought was still throwing the ball well," Padres manager Bud Black said. "It was a 2-1 game. I thought he was still going to be able to execute his pitches. Overall, I thought Greg threw the ball well."

Two relievers bridged the gap to closer Brian Fuentes, who struggled in his first outing before notching the save. He allowed a two-run homer to Khalil Greene before getting the final three outs.

"It was pretty simple, I just made a bad pitch (to Greene)," Fuentes said. "Unfortunately, there was a man on base. After that, I just went back to work. Before, I would get rattled a little bit easier, but I've learned to deal with it and move on."

Terrmel Sledge homered in the fifth for San Diego, which lost its first home opener at Petco Park.