Rockies Win Jim Tracy's Debut Behind Jason Marquis

The victory, however, was bittersweet.

On a day that the Rockies turned the page and quit holding onto memories of 2007, even an eight-inning shutout performance by Marquis could not steal the headlines.

Friday was a day that shaped Rockies history.

Marquis' performance was nothing short of brilliant. He improved his record to 7-3 and is well on his way to his sixth straight 11+ win season. He has undoubtedly been a major bright spot in the most dismal first two months in Rockies history.

His final line read eight innings pitched, six hits, four walks (one intentional) and six strikeouts. Marquis, who is very much accustomed to working with men on base, induced two double-play grounders to get out of jams. He is a steady hand on a team that seems to explode at the first sign of trouble.

Huston Street, steadily improving since a bad April, made quick work of the Padres in the ninth inning, throwing nine pitches, eight for strikes, to earn his eighth save in a Rockies uniform.

While the offense only put four hits on the board and three runs, it was not representative of the bats going cold. All night long, the Padres were either making spectacular plays or a hard hit ball was hit straight at the fielder.

Right away fans got a taste of what new manager Jim Tracy will bring to the field. He quickly moved struggling shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to the seven hole and moved third baseman Garrett Atkins back to the cleanup spot. This may have been an attempt to get him better pitches hitting behind Todd Helton.

While Yorvit Torrealba had two of the four hits, the first one coming in the second—inning to get his squad on the board, the player of the game was Marquis.

He single-handedly took the Rockies on his shoulders on this difficult day and led them to a victory, opening the next chapter for the Colorado Rockies on a good note.

A sad day in Rockies history finished on a good note, thanks to the performance of Marquis and the Rockies.

The squad tries to secure a series victory Saturday night at Coors Field starting at 6:10 p.m.