Three Rockies pitchers retired 23 straight Padres batters from the second to the 10th inning.

As good as starters Peavy and Jeff Francis were, Wil Ledezma threw five terrific innings for the Padres and Wells was solid for four. The teams used a combined 15 pitchers.

Padres pitchers tied a team record with 20 strikeouts and their Rockies counterparts set a team record with 17 punchouts. Colorado stranded 16 runners and San Diego 14.

Had the game plodded on, Wells probably would have pitched one more inning, then take up a position and be replaced by infielder Clint Barmes.

“That would’ve been interesting,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “That would’ve been another thing that I’ve never been a part of. That would’ve been the first move I ever made where no one second-guessed me.”

Hurdle tried to put in perspective, telling his players that a lot of people go through a lot worse in life than playing ball all night.

“They had a good ballgame. It just happened to be 22 innings long and six hours,” Hurdle said. “They had a good plane ride. They just happened to do it from 2 till 7. You take a nap and you go play. We’re going to do the best we can.”

San Diego’s Tony Clark had eight at-bats all season, then went 1-for-8 in his first start at first base.

“It’s crazy how it works,” said Clark, who lives in suburban Glendale, Ariz., and arrived home around 5 a.m. He got to give his kids a quick hug and kiss before they went to school.

“You look back on it, obviously, you wish you would have came out ahead,” Clark said. “But it’s just one of those games you’re never going to forget.”

MORE FROM BASEBALL

Baseball Section Front

Handicapping the Halladay chase Blyleven: Pitching to be had beyond Halladay DeMarco: Red Sox should take measured approach CTB: A prediction — Lackey will sign with Yankees   CTB: Indians unlikely to deal Wood this offseason   CTB: Mets could be interested in Royals’ Guilllen Complete list of free agents Circling the Bases: Blogging on news, rumors, buzz SCORES, SCHEDULES, STANDINGS, STATS Latest baseball videos Baseball Section Front   Add Baseball headlines to your news reader: