Kotsay's hits against Moyer not enough

DENVER – No one hits Jamie Moyer better than Mark Kotsay.

He did so again on Tuesday night, only this time it wasn't enough as Moyer became the oldest pitcher to win a major league game in the Colorado Rockies' 5-3 victory over the San Diego Padres.

Kotsay, in his first game since recovering from a right calf strain and being reinstated Monday from the disabled list, had two singles off Moyer to boost his career average to .583 (21-for-36) against the 49-year-old left-hander. The two even had a good-natured exchange after Kotsay's squibber down the third base line in the sixth inning went for an infield hit.

"We've got a lot of history," said Kotsay, who was facing Moyer for the first time since June 13, 2006, when he was with the Oakland Athletics and Moyer was with Seattle. "Any time I get a hit off him, he has something to say and obviously I have something to say back.

"It's been a fun challenge between him and I for a few years. I've been fortunate, like you saw tonight. The hits weren't necessarily crushed, but they were hits. For whatever reason I just have good fortune I think."

The problem was the Padres managed only four more hits off Moyer (1-2), getting to the lefty for two runs — both unearned — in the seventh after a fielding error by Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki. Nick Hundley added a one-out solo home run in the ninth off Rockies closer Rafael Betancourt, who allowed singles by Andy Parrino and Jason Bartlett before getting the final two outs for his third save in as many chances.

"It says something about how much he loves to compete and his willingness to work, and at 49, to go out and throw the ball and have success," Kotsay said of Moyer."He's still able to locate his pitches and keep big league hitters off balance and he did that tonight."

Moyer went seven strong innings, with two walks and a strikeout in picking up his 268th career win, tying him with Hall of Famer Jim Palmer for 34th on the career list.

"It's a tribute to Jamie," Padres manager Bud Black said. "For a guy to persevere and to still have the talent to perform, I think it's a tremendous compliment to him."

Anthony Bass, a pitcher half Moyer's age, went five innings and gave up three runs. Bass (0-2) also had a career-high seven strikeouts.

Bass was asked afterward, half-jokingly, if he thought he would be pitching 25 years from now

"That would be nice. That would be a nice career," Bass said, smiling. He added of Moyer, "He's been in the game a long time and you can definitely tell. He's a pitcher out there and makes his pitches and gets guys out."

The Rockies snapped a five-game losing streak against the Padres with the help of Dexter Fowler, who homered off Bass in the third after Marco Scutaro hit a two-out single.

Wilin Rosario had an RBI double in the fourth and the Rockies added two more runs in the eighth as Michael Cuddyer doubled in a run off former Rockies closer Huston Street and Rosario added a sacrifice fly.

NOTES: Padres RHP Tim Stauffer (strained elbow) threw Tuesday in San Diego. He's scheduled for a bullpen session this weekend. ... San Diego's Chris Denorfia went 4-for-4 for his second straight multihit game. ... The Rockies recalled RHP Edgmer Escalona from Triple-A Colorado Springs and optioned RHP Tyler Chatwood to the Sky Sox. ... OF Carlos Gonzalez (strep throat) returned the lineup, going 0 for 2 with two walks.