Three keys

Key moments in the Rockies' 3-0 victory against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Wednesday night:

1 With two out and runners on second and third in the seventh inning, rookie Ian Stewart grounded a single into center field, driving in two runs. It was Stewart's fourth major league at-bat, and his first pinch-hit appearance.

2 Ryan Spilborghs led off the fifth with a single, stole second and took third on a groundout by Yorvit Torrealba. Ubaldo Jimenez then lined a shot up the middle, but it deflected off pitcher Chris Young's glove to second baseman Geoff Blum, and Spilborghs had to hold. Kazuo Matsui then flied out to center field.

3 With two out in the fifth, Jimenez walked Young on four pitches and went 3-0 on Brian Giles before eventually getting Giles to line to shortstop.

Etc.

The only Rockies rookie pitcher who had more than nine strikeouts in a game was Shawn Chacon. He struck out 13 against Houston on June 7, 2001. Jimenez's nine strikeouts equaled Jason Jennings' total May 15, 2002, against Florida. . . . Elmer Dessens was not a new name on the Rockies' wish list. They tried to sign Dessens as a free agent two years ago, but he instead signed with Kansas City. . . . Rockies special assistant to the general manager Marcel Lachemann has a strong background with Ramon Ortiz from when Lachemann worked for the Angels. Manager Clint Hurdle compared the Lachemann-Ortiz situation with the relationship special assistant Mark Wiley had as pitching coach in Baltimore with Jorge Julio, who the Rockies acquired in May from Florida. "(Ortiz's) stuff is still solid," Hurdle said. "We were able to help Julio, and it might be the same with Ortiz." . . . The nine hits the Rockies had Tuesday in an 8-0 loss equaled their most hits in a road shutout. They also had nine hits in a 6-0 loss at San Francisco on May 6, 2000. The all-time franchise records for hits while being shut out is 13 against Washington at Coors Field on Aug. 13, 2005. The Rockies also had nine hits in a 13-0 loss to Florida at Coors Field on June 3, 2006. . . . The Rockies have gone four games without an error after committing at least one in six of the seven previous games. The Rockies have committed 50 errors, fewest in the majors. Baltimore has committed 58, second fewest.