Klesko’s Blast Carries Padres Past Arizona

Ryan Klesko had a three-run homer for his first hit this season and the San Diego Padres defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks, 5-2, Tuesday night at San Diego, spoiling Todd Stottlemyre’s first start in nearly 19 months.

Phil Nevin hit a two-run homer in the first inning against Stottlemyre, who was pitching for the first time since Sept. 21, 2000. He sat out last season because of a nerve problem in his right shoulder.

The defending World Series champion Diamondbacks are 0-4 in games started by anyone other than Randy Johnson or Curt Schilling.

Klesko, who hit 30 homers last year, had been 0 for 12 this season.

Bobby Jones (1-0) won his first start this season and Trevor Hoffman got three outs for his second save.

St. Louis 6, Milwaukee 5--Eli Marrero extended his sizzling start with three hits, raising his batting average to .733, and scored the go-ahead run at St. Louis.

Marrero, who began the season as a .229 hitter and the No. 3 catcher, has been playing the outfield and is 11 for 15 with a home run and five runs batted in.

He hit a two-run double in the second, singled and scored in the fourth and singled and scored on Fernando Vina’s sacrifice fly against Jose Cabrera (0-1) in the eighth.

Colorado 10, Houston 5--Gary Bennett hit a three-run homer, John Thomson won his second consecutive start and the host Rockies ended a four-game skid.

Todd Zeile and Jose Ortiz each had two-run homers for the Rockies. Todd Helton came out of a slump with three hits and two runs batted in.

Thomson (2-0) went six innings, giving up five runs and eight hits with no walks and seven strikeouts.

Chicago 2, New York 0--Jon Lieber gave up two hits in eight innings at Chicago and the Cubs scored more than one run for the first time in four games.

The Cubs left 15 men on base. Lieber (1-0) walked two and struck out seven.