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Padres, Rockies start set in San Diego

Jul 29, 2011 - 3:23 PM (Sports Network) - Right-hander Tim Stauffer can continue a recent run of respectability tonight when the San Diego Padres host the Colorado Rockies in the opener of a three-game series at Petco Park.

The Padres and Rockies are fifth and third, respectively, in the National League's West Division. San Diego trails the first-place San Francisco Giants by 15 1/2 games, while Colorado is 12 games behind and just 19-25 on the road this season.

Stauffer gets the call for the hosts in an effort to win his second of three decisions, his fifth in seven and his sixth in nine.

He scattered four hits in six scoreless innings on July 19 at Florida, winning 4-0 to improve to 6-6 on the season. He was defeated at Philadelphia, 5-3, in his most recent start of the season on July 24.

Stauffer is 3-2 in eight career games against the Rockies, including an eight- inning outing in which he allowed four hits, walked one and struck out eight on June 7.

On Thursday in San Diego, Jesus Guzman hit a home run, drove in a pair and crossed the plate twice, as the Padres downed Arizona, 4-3, to avoid a three- game sweep.

Luis Martinez went 2-for-4 and drove in the go-ahead run in the sixth.

Luke Gregerson (3-3) entered with the bases loaded a half-inning earlier and retired the last two batters to pick up the win, while Heath Bell faced the minimum in the ninth to record his 30th save of the season.

On Wednesday in Los Angeles, Aaron Cook tossed seven scoreless innings and Troy Tulowitzki went 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored to carry the Rockies over the Dodgers, 3-1.

Cook (2-5) scattered six hits and two walks over his efficient start, and Huston Street survived Rod Barajas' home run in the ninth to halt the Rockies' four-game slide and avoid a three-game sweep.

Colorado starts sliding righty Jason Hammel, who's dropped two straight decisions against Atlanta and Arizona while giving up 20 hits an 14 runs in 10 2/3 innings.

The 6-foot-6, 215-pounder is 3-2 lifetime against Colorado.

Hammel was a 10-game winner in each of the last two seasons, with earned runs averages of 4.33 and 4.81, respectively.

He got to 5-8 by beating Washington, 3-2, on July 8.

Colorado is 5-4 against the Padres this season.