SAN DIEGO — Rookie Tim Melville struck out eight in 5 2/3 innings, and the Colorado Rockies beat the San Diego Padres 3-2 Friday night to snap a season-long, nine-game losing streak.
It was a matchup of the worst teams in the NL West. The Rockies, who made the postseason each of the last two seasons, came in 32½ games behind the division-leading Dodgers. The Padres, who have struggled since the All-Star break, came in 26½ games back.
Melville (2-1) allowed two runs and five hits. He frustrated the Padres for the most part, except in the third when Eric Hosmer hit a two-run single to pull San Diego to 3-2. That hit brought in Greg Garcia, aboard on a leadoff walk, and Nick Martini, who had doubled.
The Padres had runners on the corners and no outs in the first but Melville got out of the jam. Garcia was thrown out by left fielder Raimel Tapia trying to score on Manny Machado's fly ball, and Melville struck out Eric Hosmer.
Jairo Diaz pitched a perfect ninth for his first big league save.
Padres starter Dinelson Lamet (2-4) allowed three runs — only one earned — and six hits in six innings.
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Rockies: RHP Jeff Hoffman (1-5, 7.35 ERA) is scheduled to make his 11th start and second against the Padres. He allowed one run and three hits in five innings against San Diego on June 14 but got a no-decision in a 16-12 loss at Coors Field.
Padres: LHP Joey Lucchesi (9-7, 4.00 ERA) is scheduled to make his team-leading 27th start Saturday.
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