Hensley Finds Right Balance for Padres

DENVER -- Clay Hensley went away from his strongest pitch just enough to hold down the Colorado Rockies.

Hensley scattered seven hits over seven innings and catcher Josh Bard drove in two runs to help the San Diego Padres beat the Rockies, 5-2, on Saturday night to stay one game behind the Dodgers in the National League West.

“He sometimes gets locked into sinker, sinker, sinker,” Bard said. “He did a good job throwing his slider. You’ve got to go with the flow.”

Hensley (8-10) struck out the side in his last inning on the mound, but felt a twinge in his shoulder. The Padres then erred on the side of caution and turned the game over to the bullpen.

Smart move.

Cla Meredith worked a scoreless eighth and now has gone 20 2/3 innings without giving up a run to tie the Padres’ record for a rookie set by Jose Melendez in 1991.

Scott Linebrink allowed Luis Gonzalez’s RBI single in the ninth before Trevor Hoffman got one out for his 34th save in 38 chances. It also was his 470th career save, leaving him eight away from tying Lee Smith’s career record.

Hensley “had done his job and we were fresh in the bullpen,” Manager Bruce Bochy said. “What a job he did.”

Hensley was treated for bicep tendinitis and a strained buttock but said he felt fine.

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ROUNDUP

at New York 11, Philadelphia 5: -- Shawn Green delivered his first big hit for the Mets, a go-ahead double during a seven-run rally in the seventh inning.

at Florida 7, Milwaukee 2: Dontrelle Willis (9-10) pitched seven strong innings and Miguel Cabrera and Hanley Ramirez had two RBIs apiece in the Marlins’ sixth straight victory.

at St. Louis 2, Chicago 1: Chris Carpenter allowed only two hits in eight innings before leaving because of cramping, and seldom-used Gary Bennett hit an RBI single with two outs in the ninth to lift the Cardinals.

Houston 7, at Pittsburgh 4: Andy Pettitte (12-13) improved to 6-1 against the Pirates.

at San Francisco 4, Cincinnati 1: Shea Hillenbrand homered for the second straight game in the Giants’ victory.

at Atlanta 10, Washington 1: John Smoltz (12-6) allowed one run and three hits in eight innings for the Braves in winning his sixth straight home start.