The San Diego Padres jumped out to an early lead with a strong start from Jon Garland and the bullpen hung on to down the Colorado Rockies 7-6.

San Diego took a 4-0 lead in the fourth before Colorado answered back with three runs in the bottom of the inning. That’s the way the scoreboard stood until Matt Stairs hit a two-run homer, his fourth of the year, in the top of the eighth. The Rockies added another in the ninth on a sacrifice fly from Nick Hundley, which ended up being the winning run.

Garland (14-11) went seven solid innings allowing three runs – one earned – over seven innings while striking out six. He was dialed-in on the mound all night, throwing just 86 pitches, 62 of which were strikes to earn his first win over Colorado this season. He also picked up two hits at the dish and scored a run.

Heath Bell gave up two runs in the ninth as the Rockies closed the gap to 7-6, but got a double-play to close it out for his 42nd save of the year.

Jason Hammel (10-8) took the brunt of the damage for the Rockies, allowing four runs on 10 hits over four innings. It was his first loss in six starts.

Ryan Ludwick and Aaron Cunningham both had three hits for the Padres. David Eckstein added two hits and two RBIs.

Colorado’s Carlos Gonzalez had another big night at the plate, picking up three hits and three RBIs.

Colorado now sits 3 ½ games back of the National League West-leading Padres.