Denver, CO (Best E Casino) - Garrett Atkins had three hits and drove in three runs as the Colorado Rockies downed the San Diego Padres, 6-3, in the opener of a three-game weekend series at Coors Field.

Ian Stewart clubbed a two-run homer for the Rockies, who had lost three of their last four coming in. Clint Barmes was 2-for-4 and knocked in a run, while Matt Holliday walked three times and scored twice.

Glendon Rusch (5-3) gave up two runs on seven hits and struck out three over six innings to pick up the win. Rusch has won four straight decisions and hasn't suffered a loss since May 31 against the Chicago Cubs.

"He didn't let adrenaline get in the way," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said of Rusch. "He made pitches. He rolled 10 ground balls, and was able to minimize the damage in his one bad inning. He did a fine job."

Kevin Kouzmanoff registered three hits for San Diego, which has dropped seven of its last nine contests. Brian Giles, who blocked a deal that would have sent him to the Red Sox prior to the game, added a solo homer. Boston claimed Giles off waivers earlier this week, and had until a set time on Friday to work out a trade with San Diego.

Jake Peavy (8-8), who entered play with an NL-best 2.59 earned run average, picked up the loss after he allowed three runs on five hits while walking five and fanning three in six innings.

"I didn't do much pitching tonight, and you've got to pitch," Peavy said. "You gotta be better. I just wasn't very good, and had to work for everything I got."

The Rockies jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second. Atkins led off with a single and Stewart followed with a blast to the seats in right. Later in the inning, the rain came down and the game was delayed 54 minutes.

San Diego rallied with two runs in the fifth. Chase Headley began the frame with a double and Nick Hundley followed with an RBI triple. Tadahito Iguchi's RBI single knotted the score at two.

Colorado pulled ahead in the sixth. Holliday worked a lead-off walk, stole second and later scored on a run-scoring single by Atkins.

The Rockies picked up three more runs in the seventh. Pinch-hitter Jeff Baker led off with a walk, scampered to third on Cla Meredith's failed pickoff attempt and later scored on a one-out single by Barmes. After Holliday drew a two-out walk, Wilfredo Ledezma took over on the mound and walked Brad Hawpe. Clay Hensley was summoned from the bullpen and Atkins greeted him with a two- run double for a 6-2 Rockies lead.

Giles' lead-off home run in the eighth made it a 6-3 game.

Brian Fuentes retired the Padres in order in the ninth to collect his 21st save of the season.

Game Notes

San Diego left seven men on base, while the Rockies stranded six...Colorado has won six of 10 against San Diego this season...San Diego's Greg Maddux (5-8) and Colorado's Aaron Cook (14-7) are scheduled to start on Saturday.