Garland, Stairs propel Padres to 7-6 win over Rockies to keep their slim NL West lead

Division-leading Padres fend off Rockies, 7-6

DENVER — Jon Garland threw seven sharp innings, pinch-hitter Matt Stairs hit a two-run homer in the eighth and the San Diego Padres hung on to beat the Colorado Rockies 7-6 on Tuesday night to maintain their slim lead in the NL West.

The Padres came into the game with a half-game lead over the Giants, who played Los Angeles later in the night.

The Rockies, who had their 10-game winning streak halted the night before, tumbled again, dropping them 3½ games behind San Diego. They remain 3½ games behind Atlanta in the NL wild-card race after the Braves were beaten 6-0 by Washington.

San Diego tweaked the lineup Tuesday, inserting Aaron Cunningham into the leadoff spot. The results were immediate as Cunningham finished with three hits, including a double, and two runs scored.