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Garland pitches for first time in nearly two years against Friars

Apr 6, 2013 - 2:26 PM (Sports Network) - Jon Garland makes his first major league start in nearly two years on Saturday when the Colorado Rockies continue a three-game series with the San Diego Padres at Coors Field.

Garland made nine starts for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2011, but felt shoulder discomfort after a June 1 outing against the Rockies and eventually underwent surgery.

The 33-year-old hurler returned this spring for Seattle and was 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA in four starts for the Mariners, but asked for his release when he learned he wouldn't make the team's rotation.

Colorado quickly signed him, hoping his groundball style would be a fit at Coors Field.

San Diego, meanwhile, will pin its hopes on righty Tyson Ross, who won the Padres' fifth starter role with an impressive spring that included a 15 1/3- inning scoreless streak. Ross, though, was just 2-11 a year ago with a 6.50 ERA in 19 games (13 starts) for the Oakland Athletics.

Colorado's early season success continued in Friday's opener, as Wilin Rosario and Dexter Fowler each belted solo home runs to back six strong innings from Jeff Francis and the Rockies came through with a 5-2 victory.

Troy Tulowitzki added two hits, including a two-run double in the third inning, to help the Rockies to a third straight win following an extra-inning Opening Day loss at Milwaukee on Monday.

"We tried to treat it like it was any other game, but it was an exciting day for sure," Francis said. "It's good to get a win."

Francis (1-0) did his part as well, limiting the Padres to five hits and not allowing a run after the first inning. The left-hander also struck out five while issuing just one walk.

San Diego starter Jason Marquis (0-1) surrendered all five Colorado runs, though just two were earned as the result of an error by Everth Cabrera that led to the Rockies scoring three times in the third, over six innings of work.

Jesus Guzman paced the Padres offensively by going 2-for-4 with an RBI in the setback, San Diego's third in four outings to begin the season.

San Diego was 10-8 against the Rockies last season.