• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Koshansky homer leads Rockies over Padres

Sep 17, 2008 - 11:05 PM DENVER (Ticker) -- Home runs are old hat for Joe Koshansky in the minor leagues. The minor league All-Star got a rare opportunity to show off his big bat in the big leagues on Wednesday afternoon.

After trading blowouts in the first two games of the series, the Colorado Rockies quietly slipped past the San Diego Padres, 1-0, behind Koshansky's solo home run on Wednesday afternoon.

"I'm actually taking a lot of swings," Koshansky said. "It's just a matter of going back to what it feels like when I'm playing every day. It's the same game that I've been playing for 20-plus years."

Chris Iannetta, who hit a grand slam on Tuesday night, had a double among his two hits and Troy Tulowitzki, who hit a grand slam in a losing effort Monday night, finished with a double of his own. Rookie Ian Stewart collected two hits, both singles.

Livan Hernandez (2-3) put together his best outing as a member of the Rockies, tossing five innings while giving up just three hits. Coming into the day, he had given up four runs or more in seven of his last eight starts.

"He was hoping to get the ball and he made the most of it," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle. "He's got the veteran experience."

The three hits were the fewest Hernandez has allowed in a game since April 8, 2007, when he gave up three over seven shutout innings in a 3-1 victory over the Washington Nationals. He has allowed a MLB-high 245 hits this season.

Hernandez has led the National League in the category five times during his career, but won't be able to make it six this year, as he has split the season between the Rockies and the American League's Minnesota Twins.

Brian Fuentes pitched a perfect ninth to secure his 28th save of the season. Fuentes is 15-for-15 in save opportunities since July 3.

"I've been moving the ball around, and my walks are down this season," Fuentes said. "That's a big reason for (the success)."

Koshansky, who led all of minor league baseball with 121 RBI in 122 games this season, connected on a 3-2 pitch with two outs in the fourth inning for his third major league homer of the season.

"It was a fastball and he had it up," Koshansky said. "It was 3-2 there so I thought he was going to try to throw a fastball. I just tried to hit it hard."

The homer was one of the only mistakes of the day made by Josh Geer (2-1), who suffered his first career loss in four starts. He gave up five hits and three walks while striking out five in five innings.

"We pitched right with them," San Diego manager Bud Black said. "The one mistake by Josh led to the homer ... and we just couldn't break through their bullpen."

The Padres' offense was mostly silent, but they threatened in the seventh inning. Sean Kazmar singled and advanced to second base on Stewart's throwing error. Pinch hitter Drew Macias drew a walk, and the runners advanced on Will Venable's groundout.

Stewart made up for his error, however, by charging a slow grounder by Edgar Gonzalez. Stewart made a barehanded grab before throwing Gonzalez out at first to leave the runners stranded.

"We try to stay as consistent as possible," Iannetta said. "We're always looking to get a little better, and we're not happy with the way the year turned out, obviously."