Rockies rough up Maddux, Padres

The last pitch Greg Maddux threw was caught by reliever Heath Bell more than 400 feet from home plate.

That wasn’t the way Maddux wanted to exit his first start with the San Diego Padres.

Maddux was mediocre Friday night, getting chased by Matt Holliday’s two-run homer into San Diego’s bullpen that helped carry the Colorado Rockies to a 4-3 victory and ruin the Padres’ home opener.

Kazuo Matsui had three hits, two stolen bases, an RBI and a run scored for the Rockies, who won their third in a row following an opening-day loss to Arizona.

Khalil Greene hit a two-run homer off Brian Fuentes with none out in the ninth after Mike Cameron was hit with a pitch to lead off the inning. Fuentes settled down and got three outs to seal his first save in as many chances.

Pitching eight days before his 41st birthday, Maddux gave up four runs and five hits in 5 1/3 innings. Noted for his control throughout his brilliant career, the 333-game winner also hit a batter and allowed a run to score on a wild pitch. He struck out four and walked one.

Holliday hit an 0-2 pitch over the 401-foot sign in left-center with one out in the fifth. Bell, who’d been warming up for several minutes, turned and nonchalantly caught the ball.

Manager Bud Black came out to get Maddux, who’d been visited before the at-bat by pitching coach Darren Balsley.

Maddux dropped to 14-6, with two no-decisions, while making his first start of the season. He was 5-0 to start last season with the Chicago Cubs. Traded to the Dodgers on July 31, he signed with the Padres in December for $10 million.