DENVER (Interstat) — In a ballpark synonymous with offensive explosions, a masterclass in pitching and a solitary, patient at-bat decided a taut contest Tuesday night.

Randy Vásquez delivered seven dominant innings, and a sixth-inning walk by Manny Machado with the bases loaded forced in the game’s only run as the San Diego Padres edged the Colorado Rockies 1-0 at Coors Field.

A crowd of 15,672 witnessed a pitching duel that defied both the venue’s reputation and pregame expectations. Interstat’s game simulator had projected an 8-3 Padres victory with a combined run total over the line of 11. Instead, the teams combined for just nine hits and the lone run scored without the benefit of a hit in the inning.

The victory improved the Padres to 16-7, maintaining their strong early-season form. The Rockies fell to 9-15.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the top of the sixth inning against Rockies starter Chase Dollander, who was nearly as brilliant as his counterpart. With one out, Jake Cronenworth broke up Dollander’s no-hit bid with a ground-ball double down the right-field line. After Ramón Laureano struck out, Fernando Tatis Jr. hit a grounder that deflected off third baseman Kyle Karros and into shortstop territory for an infield single, moving Cronenworth to third. Dollander then hit Jackson Merrill with a pitch to load the bases.

That brought up Machado. In a tense, seven-pitch battle, Machado laid off a trio of close pitches with the count full, taking ball four to force in Cronenworth. Dollander limited the damage by striking out Xander Bogaerts to end the inning, but the damage was done. Dollander (2-2) was tagged with a hard-luck loss, allowing one earned run on three hits while striking out nine over six innings.

That minimal support was more than enough for Vásquez (2-0). The right-hander, whose last start against Seattle on April 15 saw him allow four runs in four innings, was in complete command. He scattered three singles, did not walk a batter, and struck out five. He expertly navigated the few threats, inducing a key 4-6-3 double play from Mickey Moniak in the third inning to erase a leadoff single. The Rockies never advanced a runner past first base against him.

Vásquez’s performance continued a pattern of success against Colorado this season. On April 9, he earned a win by holding the Rockies to one run over 5 2/3 innings in San Diego.

The Padres’ bullpen preserved the slim lead with two perfect innings. Jason Adam needed just 10 pitches to retire the side in the eighth. In the ninth, Adrian Morejon earned his first save of the season by striking out Edouard Julien and Moniak before getting Hunter Goodman to fly out to center.

The Rockies’ relievers were equally sharp, with Jimmy Herget striking out the side in the seventh and Juan Mejia and Brennan Bernardino combining for two scoreless frames, but the offense could not break through.

The game was a stark contrast to the recent meetings between the clubs. In a four-game series in San Diego from April 9-12, the Padres swept the Rockies, outscoring them 28-12. It also marked a departure from Colorado’s previous game, a 12-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday.

For San Diego, the win was their third in a row following a series win over the Los Angeles Angels. They will look to secure the series victory in Denver on Wednesday. The Rockies, struggling to find consistency, will aim to even the series before embarking on a lengthy road trip.