DENVER -- From the moment he stepped off the mound after his sparkling Major League debut on June 11, the Rockies knew they had something special in Tyler Matzek.
Although the 23-year-old left-hander has had his ups and downs since then, he's consistently shown poise beyond his years. And on Friday night, it was on display yet again in a 3-0 victory over the Padres at Coors Field.
Matzek logged his first career shutout, allowing just three hits, while tossing his second straight scoreless outing.
 
Matzek stymies Padres in first career shutout
 
It also marked Matzek's fourth straight quality start and his ninth in 15 chances to begin his Major League career. It was the Rockies' first complete game of the season.
Matzek struck out six and issued just one walk. It was fifth time in his career that he finished a game walking one or none, a remarkable feat considering he averaged six walks per nine innings in his five-year Minor League career.
Drew Stubbs' solo shot in the first put the Rockies on the board and as it turned out, that's all they'd need with Matzek on the mound.
In the fifth inning, Charlie Blackmon brought home DJ LeMahieu with a single to make it 2-0.
Once on base, Blackmon swiped second for his second stolen base of the game. But with two on and two out, Blackmon got greedy and was caught trying to steal third in middle of Nolan Arenado's at-bat. Rockies manager Walt Weiss challenged the call, but a replay review ruled the call stands.
When the at-bat continued, Arenado homered off left-hander Eric Stults two pitches into the sixth.
Cody Ulm / MLB.com
 

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