Three keys

Key moments in the Rockies' 8-0 loss against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night at Petco Park:

1 With two out, the bases loaded and San Diego leading 2-0, Jeff Francis got ahead of Brian Giles 1-2, but he walked him to force in a run, the third of five walks Francis issued in a six-run inning that included three Padres hits.

2 Matt Holliday doubled into the right-field corner with two out in the third, but center fielder Willy Taveras, favoring the right quadriceps that has bothered him for six weeks, had to be held at third base. Taveras came out in favor of Cory Sullivan and is expected to be placed on the disabled list.

3 After striking out Morgan Ensberg to start the fourth, Francis walked Mike Cameron and gave up a single to Khalil Greene, marking the end of his evening. It was the first time Francis failed to pitch at least five innings this season.

Etc.

Right-handed pitcher Dave Veres was released by Triple-A Colorado Springs when veteran reliever Mike DeJean was activated from the disabled list. Veres was attempting to be the first pitcher to make it to the majors with an artificial hip. DeJean was sidelined with shoulder soreness. . . . Francis' six walks matched the career high he set in five innings April 13, 2005, in Arizona and equaled April 6 last year in 4 1/3 innings against Arizona and April 28 last year in 5 1/3 innings at Florida. . . . Five of the players on the Rockies' active roster Tuesday night started the season with Colorado Springs - outfielders Sullivan and Ryan Spilborghs, infielder Clint Barmes and right- handed pitchers Matt Herges and Ubaldo Jimenez. . . . Looking to get third basemen Kevin Kouzmanoff and Ensberg into the lineup, San Diego manager Bud Black put Ensberg at first base, the first time he has played the position in the majors. It was only the second start regular first baseman Adrian Gonzalez missed this season with the Padres. . . . The game at San Diego was the Rockies' first road game against a National League West team since May 27, when they completed their first sweep in San Francisco. The Rockies had not played in San Diego since the first weekend of the season.