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Rockies use 10 pitchers in win over Padres

Sep 8, 2007 - 6:11 AM DENVER (Ticker) -- The Colorado Rockies jumped on top early and used nearly their entire bullpen to hold off the San Diego Padres en route to a 10-4 victory on Friday night.

Light-hitting second baseman Kaz Matsui clubbed a two-run homer and Troy Tulowitzki and Yorvit Torrealba each drove in a pair of runs for the Rockies (73-67), who stayed within shouting distance - five games behind - of the Arizona Diamondbacks (79-63) in the National League West.

Colorado burned through nine relievers after starter Elmer Dessens was forced out of the game after just 2 1/3 frames due to a strained left hamstring. The veteran journeyman was charged with the Padres' first run after walking two, striking out three and not allowing a hit.

The parade of relievers began with Mark Redman, who allowed a run in one-third of an inning during his first appearance of the season with the Rockies.

It marked just the second time in major league history and the first time in the National League that a team had used 10 pitchers in a nine-inning game.

"It was a long game and after Dessens got hurt, I knew we had to try to battle," Torrealba said. "It's a good thing it's September where we have all those pitchers in the bullpen, but it was a long game."

"I just try to be smart, I don't try to overmanage," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "I try to look at recent history and once in a while you factor in your gut. Once you get to September, it's a different mind-set."

Matt Herges (4-0) - the fourth man out of the bullpen - was credited with the win after 2 1/3 innings of hitless relief. The righthander struck out two and issued one walk.

"The fact that we scored 10 runs, that's the game for me," Herges said. "You're seeing some confident guys up there swinging the bat. We know what we have to do, I'm impressed with us."

San Diego failed to put together a consistent scoring threat, leaving the bases loaded in the fourth and runners in scoring position in two other frames.

"I think we had some opportunities to score," Padres manager Bud Black said. "Herges did a nice job. He got out of that inning and the rest of the Rockies made some pitches."

Adrian Gonzalez drove in three runs, plating a pair with a single in the third and beating out a fielder's choice for an RBI in the seventh.

With the loss, the Padres (76-64) dropped two games behind the Diamondbacks in the West.

San Diego starter Justin Germano (7-9) lasted just three innings, allowing five runs and six hits while striking out one. The 25-year-old righthander dropped to 0-3 in his career against Colorado, allowing 24 runs - 21 earned - in 20 2/3 total innings.

"I think he was just uncomfortable tonight, just couldn't get a feel for the ball and it was evident on his curveball," Black said.

The vaunted Padres bullpen let the game get out of hand in the eighth. With the Rockies clinging to a 5-4 advantage, San Diego called on righthander Kevin Cameron, who promptly allowed four runs for the second time in as many appearances.

The rookie reliever had a miniscule 0.80 ERA as recently as August 15, but has since surrendered 14 runs - nine earned - in seven innings over eight appearances.