Associated Press

Mark Ellis and Juan Nicasio put on quite a show, maybe even upstaging the fireworks display that drew the capacity crowd to Coors Field in the first place.

Ellis had three hits, including a two-run homer, in his Colorado debut and Nicasio allowed three singles over eight innings as the Rockies beat the slumping Kansas City Royals 9-0 on Friday night.

Even Ellis couldn’t have envisioned this type of start to his career in the Mile High City. He finished a triple shy of the cycle and drove in three runs.

“A beautiful night, a sellout crowd and we won 9-0. A perfect night,” said Ellis, who was acquired from the Oakland Athletics on Thursday.

It had to be the cleats.

Before the game, Ellis asked Troy Tulowitzki if he could borrow a pair of the smooth-fielding shortstop’s black-and-purple shoes, even inquiring if they might come with some of Tulowitzki’s tremendous power inside them.

Tulowitzki said they didn’t possess any extra pop.

But Tulowitzki was mistaken. Ellis hit a liner in the fifth that just crept over the wall in left.

“Just see the ball and hit the ball,” explained Ellis, who hit his second homer of the season. “That’s what I try to do. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.”

Tulowitzki connected on a two-run homer, Todd Helton added a two-run double and pinch-hitter Charlie Blackmon lined the first homer of his major league career — on his 25th birthday, no less — to help the Rockies snap a two-game slide.

Nicasio (3-1) struck out four and got the Royals to hit into 16 groundouts. With his pitch count at 111, the rookie righty was pulled in the ninth for reliever Edgmer Escalona, who was just called up from Triple-A Colorado Springs on Friday.

Nicasio improved to 3-0 at Coors Field, lowering his ERA to 2.08 at the notoriously hitter-friendly park. Although this field may haunt some pitchers, it forces Nicasio to bear down.

“I’m able to focus more on throwing things down in the strike zone,” Nicasio said through his interpreter, Ubaldo Jimenez. “For sure, that was the best game that I have thrown.”

Only one Kansas City runner reached as far as second base all night, and that wasn’t until two outs in the ninth.

Danny Duffy (1-3) couldn’t break the Royals out of their funk as the team dropped its fourth straight. Duffy lasted five innings, allowing five runs and nine hits. He struck out six.

The lefty had trouble locating his fastball, leaving pitches up to Ellis and Tulowitzki, who both laced homers.

“I made a couple of mistakes. I thought I threw the ball pretty well, I just didn’t come out on top today,” Duffy said.

Ellis started things off on the right foot, collecting a single in his first at bat.

It was simply that kind of game for Ellis.

He also played flawless second base, already developing quite a chemistry with Tulowitzki as the tandem turned a nifty double play early in the game.

The Rockies acquired Ellis, along with cash, from Oakland on Thursday for a minor league pitcher and a player to be named later.

They are banking on him to provide consistency at second base, something the team has sorely missed all season. They have trotted out Chris Nelson, Jonathan Herrera, Eric Young Jr. and Jose Lopez, who’s since been let go.

Nelson and Young were optioned to Colorado Springs before the game.

Helton finished with four hits, including the 542nd double of his career. He’s tied with Hall of Famer Harry Heilmann for 25th place on all-time list.

Nicasio has been a pleasant surprise for the Rockies since being called up from Double-A Tulsa in late May. What was billed as an audition has pretty much turned into a permanent spot in the rotation.

With plenty of movement on all his pitches, Nicasio has been difficult for the opposition to hit this season. He also boasts a fastball that hovers around 94 mph.

“He threw the ball very well, he threw his fastball for strikes, got in on us, kept the ball down,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “The strike zone was a tiny strike zone and he did a good job of keeping the ball in it. He threw more breaking balls for strikes than I thought he would.

“He’s got good stuff. He’s a good young pitcher,” he said.

The Rockies had to shuffle around their rotation after their top pitcher, Jhoulys Chacin, experienced some tightness in his right forearm.

Chacin will have his scheduled start Saturday pushed back until Tuesday. To take his place, the Rockies will recall Greg Reynolds from Colorado Springs.

The 23-year-old Chacin is 8-5 with a 3.10 ERA. Rockies manager Jim Tracy doesn’t want to take any chances, especially in light of losing lefty Jorge De La Rosa with a season-ending elbow injury.

“We could ill afford to lose a guy like this,” Tracy said.

Royals Media Relations

The Kansas City Royals announced today that the club has signed 21st-round selection from the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft, catcher Kenny Swab.  The Royals have now inked 25 of the club’s 50 selections from last month’s draft.  In addition, the Royals have signed 11 non-drafted free agents.

Swab, 22, helped lead the University of Virginia to the College World Series in June where the Cavaliers went 2-2 and were eliminated by eventual champion South Carolina.  The 6-foot-1, 195-pound catcher batted .318 with 17 doubles, two triples, one home run, 29 RBI and 44 runs scored in 59 games (56 starts) for Virginia, stealing 11 bases in 12 attempts.  A native of Kernersville, N.C., Swab was selected by the Cincinnati Reds out of Young Harris Junior College in the 48th round of the 2009 draft, but chose to attend Virginia.  He was also tabbed by the Atlanta Braves in the 35th round in 2010, but elected to return for his senior season.

Associated Press

SAN DIEGO — Thanks to a fortuitous sun ball, the suddenly surging San Diego Padres are no longer in last place in the NL West.

Tim Stauffer won consecutive starts for the first time this year and his popup led to four unearned runs with two outs in the third inning, sending San Diego to a 4-1 win over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday.

It was the first sweep of the year for the Padres, who have won four straight and seven of eight. San Diego went 5-1 against Atlanta and Kansas City for its first winning homestand of 2011.

With the Los Angeles Dodgers losing 1-0 at Minnesota, the Padres broke out of a tie for last in the NL West and are in sole possession of fourth place. But they have a long way to go to challenge division-leading San Francisco.

“Nice. It’s good to get out of that cellar and keep on creeping up,” Stauffer said.

Stauffer (4-5) allowed one run and four hits in seven innings to lower his ERA to 2.97. After going 1-4 with a 3.99 ERA in his first 12 starts, Stauffer has gone 3-1 with a 1.00 ERA in his last five outings.

Heath Bell pitched the ninth for his 23rd save in 24 chances, allowing two singles.

Bell, who along with Ryan Ludwick are expected to be traded by the budget-conscious Padres, said continuing the strong performance during the next few weeks could keep the Padres from becoming sellers.

“We’re going to have to keep winning like we are right now. We’re going to really have to play well and play hard,” he said.

The Padres grabbed control in the third inning thanks to third baseman Mike Moustakas’ error on a sun ball.

With San Diego trailing 1-0, Stauffer started the decisive third with a popup. First baseman Eric Hosmer lost it in the sun and ducked out of the way. Moustakas, who ran all the way over to the first-base side of the mound, stuck out his glove and the ball bounced off it. He reached out again to try to grab the ball but it hit off his glove again and hit the ground for error.

“It went up in the air and we didn’t communicate very well,” Moustakas said. “There is a tough sun up there on that side of the field and I came in at the last second, saw the ball coming down and tried to take a swipe at it. I almost had it a couple of times. It was a weird play. But that ball has got to be caught.”

Chris Denorfia followed with a single before left-hander Bruce Chen retired the next two batters. Ryan Ludwick doubled to left to bring in Stauffer with the tying run. Rizzo hit a two-run single to right, took second on the throw home and scored on Orlando Hudson’s high chopper.

“You never know in this game. That’s why you run it out,” Stauffer said. “It was a little earlier game start than normal. It’s pretty sunny out there. I’ve seen that happen a few times. That’s a tough little spot where three or four guys are converging. We’re fortunate that got us going that inning. Any game I can get two at-bats in an inning, whether I go 0 for 2 or 2 for 2 in the inning, I’m pretty happy. Getting that lead gives you a little extra kick out there.”

Stauffer came up again with the bases loaded and grounded out to end the inning.

“I think we’re playing the brand of baseball we needed to play to be successful,” Stauffer said. “Limiting the runs given up early, then getting the lead and sticking with it with our pitching and defense, we feel pretty confident about playing with anybody. That’s how we’ve had success this homestand and hopefully we keep it rolling on the road.”

Kansas City scored its run in the top half of the inning when Melky Cabrera doubled with one out and scored on Hosmer’s single to center.

Chen (4-2), making his second start since May 5, allowed four runs, none earned, and eight hits in six innings. He returned Friday from a stint on the disabled list with a strained back muscle.

Royals Media Relations

A trio of Omaha Storm Chasers have been chosen to represent the Pacific Coast League in the 2011 All-Star Game in Salt Lake, the league office announced Wednesday. Second baseman Johnny Giavotella and first baseman/designated hitter Clint Robinson will be in the PCL’s starting lineup, while league ERA leader Luis Mendoza will be in the bullpen for the PCL All-Stars when they take on the International League on Wednesday, July 13.

Giavotella, who will celebrate his 24th birthday July 10, is hitting .323 with five homers and 53 RBI as the Chasers’ primary No. 2 hitter. Through 79 games, he has collected a team-best 105 hits, rapped 22 doubles and has stolen nine bases. He is tops in the league defensively at second base in total chances, putouts, assists and double plays, and ranks third in fielding percentage among second basemen with a .979 mark.

Robinson, last year’s Triple Crown winner in the Texas League, leads the Storm Chasers in hitting (.330), home runs (17), runs batted in (54), runs scored (54) and slugging percentage (.573). He has started 38 games at first base and 38 at designated hitter this season, but will be the starting DH for the Pacific Coast League All-Stars. Both Robinson and Giavotella represented Northwest Arkansas in the Texas League All-Star Game a season ago.

Mendoza, far and away the PCL leader in earned run average, will be in the bullpen for All-Star manager Lorenzo Bundy. The 27-year-old righthander is 5-3 with a 2.75 ERA in 22 appearances for the Storm Chasers this season, including seven starts. He has allowed one run or fewer in eight-consecutive appearances (five starts) dating back to May 26, going 4-0 with a 0.99 ERA in 45.2 innings pitched during that stretch. Mendoza’s 2.75 ERA is a remarkable 0.95 better than the next qualified pitcher in the league leaders, Nashville’s Sam Narron (3.70).

Starting along with Giavotella and Robinson in the PCL lineup will be catcher Anthony Recker (Sacramento), first baseman Bryan LaHair (Iowa), third baseman Brian Barden (Round Rock), shortstop Cody Ransom (Reno) and outfielders Collin Cowgill (Reno), Trayvon Robinson (Albuquerque) and former Nebraska Cornhusker Andrew Brown (Memphis). Las Vegas lefthander Brad Mills is expected to be the starting pitcher for the Pacific Coast League.

The Storm Chasers will also be represented by All-Star hitting coach Tommy Gregg, who will have the privilege of working with two of his top pupils in Salt Lake. The 47-year-old Gregg is in his third season in Omaha, fifth in the Kansas City organization and ninth overall in Minor League Baseball.

The 24th Annual Triple-A All-Star Game, pitting the best players from the 16-team Pacific Coast League against the 14-team International League, will be broadcast nationwide on MLB Network Wednesday, July 13 at 8 p.m. Central Time.

Associated Press

SAN DIEGO — Clayton Richard won for the first time in 12 home starts since August and the San Diego Padres beat the Kansas City Royals 4-2 on Tuesday night for their third straight series win.

The Padres have won six of seven, including series wins against Boston and Atlanta. Jeff Francoeur homered and threw out a runner at home for the Royals, who have lost two straight and eight of 10.

Richard (4-9) hadn’t won at Petco Park since beating Arizona on Aug. 24. The Padres had lost his 11 home starts since Aug. 29, tied for the longest such stretch in club history. The left-hander was 0-8 in those 11 starts.

Including Tuesday night’s game, Richard’s ERA in his last 12 home starts is 2.76. He held the Royals to two runs and five hits in seven innings, struck out five and walked one.

Heath Bell pitched the ninth for his 22nd save in 23 chances.

Cameron Maybin had three hits and scored twice for the Padres, who gave Richard some early run support.

Ryan Ludwick hit an RBI single in the first inning. The Royals tied it in the second when Matt Treanor singled in Francoeur, who had walked and stolen second. Earlier in his at-bat, a foul ball bounced up and hit Treanor in the face.

Maybin beat out a high chopper leading off the second and scored on Kyle Phillips’ double to the gap in left-center. Richard sacrificed and Phillips scored on Will Venable’s sacrifice fly for a 3-1 lead.

Francoeur threw out rookie Anthony Rizzo trying to score from second on Orlando Hudson’s single to end the third. It was the 17th outfield assist at the plate for the Royals this season and their fifth in the last six games. Overall they have 31 outfield assists, tops in the majors.

They also had an error that allowed the Padres to pad their lead. Maybin singled leading off the fourth and stole second. He bluffed on Phillips’ fly out to left, and Alex Gordon’s high throw glanced off third baseman Wilson Betemit’s glove, went between the legs of pitcher Felipe Paulino backing up the play and into the Royals’ dugout, allowing Maybin to score.

Francoeur homered off Richard in the seventh, his 11th.

Paulino (0-2) allowed four runs, three earned, and 11 hits in seven innings, struck out seven and walked one.

Associated Press

Ryan Ludwick hit a two-run homer, Mat Latos won for the first time in four starts and the San Diego Padres beat the Kansas City Royals 4-3 on Monday night.

The Padres, coming off consecutive series victories against Boston and Atlanta, have won five of six. The Royals have lost seven of nine.

Latos (5-8) allowed three runs on seven hits in six innings, struck out six and walked two to win for the first time since June 5 against Houston. Heath Bell pitched the ninth for his 21st save in 22 chances, getting the final out after allowing consecutive two-out singles.

The Padres continued their domination of Jeff Francis (3-9), who allowed four runs, three earned, and five hits in five innings.

Francis dropped to 5-13 with a 5.65 ERA in 22 career starts against San Diego. The former Colorado Rockies pitcher is winless in his last six starts against San Diego. At Petco Park, he’s 3-7 with a 5.27 ERA in 12 starts.

Overall, Francis has lost three straight starts and four of five.

With Chase Headley aboard on a double, Ludwick homered to left with two outs in the first, his 10th.

Kansas City’s Eric Hosmer hit a sacrifice fly in the third and Latos helped himself in the bottom of the inning when he hit a leadoff double and eventually scored on a wild pitch for a 3-1 lead. The inning ended when catcher Brayan Pena held onto the ball after being run over by Headley, who was trying to score on Ludwick’s double to left.

The Padres took a 4-1 lead in the fourth when Jesus Guzman reached on a throwing error by shortstop Alcides Escobar and eventually scored on a throwing error by first baseman Hosmer, who was trying to throw him out at third after Orlando Hudson’s groundout.

The Royals have thrown out 16 runners at the plate, including four in the last five games.

The Royals pulled to 4-3 with one out in the sixth on Pena’s two-run double down the right-field line to score Alex Gordon and Jeff Francoeur, who opened the inning with singles. Pena took third on Escobar’s fly to right but was stranded when second baseman Hudson made a nice play to throw out pinch-hitter Billy Butler and end the inning.

Gordon extended his hitting streak to 14 games.