DENVER — Joey Hamilton, the just-recalled pitcher counted on to patch together the Reds' rotation until Elmer Dessens returns, was the anti-Elmer Wednesday night. As a result, the Reds are in third place for the first time in 106 days.

Joey Hamilton strikes out with a runner in scoring position to end the second inning. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        Hamilton took the loss as the Colorado Rockies beat the Reds for the second consecutive game, 7-2, before 32,483 fans at Coors Field.

        All seven runs Hamilton allowed came on home runs. Larry Walker hit a three-run homer, and Todd Helton socked a grand slam.

        “He made the mistakes to the home run hitters in the lineup,” Reds pitching coach Don Gullett said. “Two swings, seven runs.”

        The loss knocked the Reds to third in the National League Central for the first time since April 19. The Houston Astros beat the Florida Marlins 7-2 and moved past the Reds.

        The Reds remain two games behind division-leading St.Louis, which lost for the seventh straight time, 4-1 to the Montreal Expos.

Ken Griffey Jr. homers. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        Hamilton (3-7), making his first start since July 7, lasted only 4 1/3 innings and allowed seven runs, six earned. If that wasn't bad enough, Hamilton is replacing the injured Dessens, who hasn't given up more than five runs in any of his 23 starts.

        “Elmer being down really hurts,” Reds manager Bob Boone said.

        Boone said Hamilton will make his next start.

        “Unless you've got an alternative,” Boone said. “He and (Ryan) Dempster have to get off the (skids).”

        The Reds, meanwhile, have run into something you don't expect to see at Coors Field: outstanding starting pitching by the Rockies. Right-hander Jason Jennings (12-6) shut down the Reds over eight innings, allowing two runs on seven hits. His outing came one night after Denny Stark limited the Reds to one run on six hits.

Aaron boone is greeted by Griffey after a HR. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        Aaron Boone put the Reds up 1-0 with a solo home run in the first inning. It was Boone's 18th homer of the year.

        The Reds tacked on another run in the third, but it should have been more. Todd Walker walked to start the inning. Boone followed with a drive that the Rockies' Larry Walker caught in right field. Todd Walker was at second base when Larry Walker caught it, and was doubled up trying to return to first.

        It cost the Reds a run when Ken Griffey Jr., the next hitter, went deep for his fifth homer this season.

        Hamilton was perfect through three innings, but Colorado's Jay Payton broke the string with a double to left-center in the fourth. Brent Butler followed with a hard grounder to shortstop Boone, who muffed it.

        Walker, Larry that is, made the error hurt by crushing a 2-1 pitch from Hamilton into the second deck above right-center - a 448-foot shot. It was Walker's 23rd home run of the year, and the Rockies led 3-2.

        Hamilton got out of the inning, but the fifth was even worse than the fourth.

        “He started getting the ball up in the zone,” Gullett said. “I don't know if it was fatigue or what.”

        Jennings led off with a single to right and Payton doubled. One out later, the Reds intentionally walked Walker to face Helton.

        Helton fouled back a pitch, then tattooed a 91-mph fastball for a 415-foot grand slam that made it 7-2.

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