DENVER — Coors Field, a graveyard for pitchers? Not for Denny Stark, who is 6-0 with a 2.30 ERA in the hitter-friendly ballpark after the Colorado Rockies hung on to beat the Reds 7-6 Tuesday night.

        Stark (7-2) gave up his only run on Adam Dunn's homer in the sixth. He allowed just three hits in six innings of work.

        “That kid (Stark) has had a pretty good year," Reds manager Bob Boone said. “We might have swung too big. I noticed their swings were real short. They got line drives, and this is a line drive-hitting park.”

        “I just go out there and try to stay aggressive,” Stark said. “It's a tough place to pitch, and things can change very quickly. So you've really got to lock in and focus — maybe a little more than at other places.

        “I'm having a real good stretch now at home.”

        Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said Stark “was outstanding. He's comfortable here, for whatever reason. I'd like him to share it with everybody else. He has had a lot more success here than the average bear.”

        Colorado newcomer Jay Payton had three hits and made a nice defensive play to rob Todd Walker in the eighth inning.

        “First impressions are important,” Payton said. “My first impression on the road was a pretty good one, and my first impression at home was a pretty good one. Hopefully, I can continue to do the same thing the rest of the year.”

        Brent Butler hit a two-run triple in the sixth to chase Brian Moehler. Sandy Alomar also doubled twice as the Rockies pounded out 15 hits, including six doubles and a club record-tying three triples.

        Rockies Notes: The Rockies gave struggling CF Juan Pierre and 3B Todd Zeile the night off, although Pierre made a pinch-hit appearance in the eighth. ... Larry Walker's 17-game hitting streak ended. ... Alomar has had a multi-hit game in all four of his starts for the Rockies. He's hitting .600 (9 for 15).

Rockies 7, Reds 6 Reds Box, Runs Reds will get help, Selig says Boone thinks labor deal can be done Mets co-owner says Selig inflated losses Hamilton replaces ailing Dessens Reds Notebook: Casey to test swing in Louisville Bonds hits 599th homer Braves 4, Diamondbacks 3 Phillies 5, Padres 4 Pirates 3, Dodgers 1 Rockies' Stark flourishes in Coors Schott released from hospital Indianapolis 8, Louisville 6

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