TUCSON, Ariz. -- It was a first step, but it was a big step for Jake Peavy. After straining his left oblique -- an injury that plagued him last season -- early in camp, there was great concern the Padres' young right-hander would miss significant time.

So the Padres were closely monitoring his first start of the season Friday against the Rockies at Hi Corbett Field.

Peavy threw 34 pitches -- 28 fastballs -- over 1 2/3 innings. He allowed two runs on one hit, a double to center by Vinny Castillo, in a game the Padres won, 9-4.

"I felt all right, like it was the first time out," said Peavy, who is scheduled to pitch the second game of the season, April 6 at Dodger Stadium. "Healthwise, though, I felt good, was pain-free. Actually, I felt wonderful."

Pitching coach Darren Balsley said the idea Friday was for Peavy to get his work in and leave the game healthy.

"Jake missed four or five days, but it was early, so that was OK," Balsley said. "Now that we know he's healthy, we'll back him off for three days, then work on getting him on track for the Dodgers.

"We'd like to build him up so he can throw 80 or 90 pitches in that first start."

That's a strategy Peavy agrees with.

"I won't be able to go 100 or 110 pitches, but I'd like be able compete for six or seven innings," Peavy said. "I was really encouraged by this outing. I felt 100 percent.

"I've got to be smart about what I do. I want to turn it loose in game situations, but I won't be taking a lot of batting practice.

"This was good. My head is clear of doubt now. Obviously, today was a big first step."

Minor scare

Japanese right-hander Akinori Otsuka came to Balsley and trainer Todd Hutcheson before the game, and he was subsequently scratched from his scheduled inning after feeling tightness in his back.

Manager Bruce Bochy said Otsuka could pitch today against the Diamondbacks in Tucson Electric Park.

Also, center fielder Terrence Long was pulled from the game early because he was "under the weather," according to Bochy.

Lefties impressive

Left-handers Kevin Walker, Mike Bynum and Eddie Oropesa held the Rockies to one hit over the last four innings, with Bynum throwing two of those innings.

"Mike has had a great spring," Bochy said.

Nieves in the picture

A day after Jose Nieves went 4-for-4 against the White Sox and was impressive at second base, Bochy said the veteran infielder will get more playing time.

He signed a minor-league deal on March 8.

Nieves last played in the big leagues in 2002, appearing in 45 games for the Angels.

Last season, he played 23 games for the Cardinals' Triple-A affiliate in Memphis, Tenn., and 44 for the Yankees' Triple-A club in Columbus, Ohio.

Bochy said that if Nieves doesn't make the club, he gives the team a veteran infielder at Triple-A Portland who can fill a void in case of an injury.

Hello, old friends

No less than eight Rockies have ties to the Padres.

Third base coach Sandy Alomar and hitting coach Duane Espy both put in several seasons in San Diego. Former Padres closer Goose Gossage, who lives in Colorado Springs, Colo., is in camp as a special instructor.

Pitchers Brian Tollberg, Steve Reed and Marc Kroon, infielder Damian Jackson and outfielder Mark Sweeney, are all in the Rockies' camp.

Kroon was the victim of a four-run Padres uprising in the fifth inning, allowing a long home run to Brian Giles.

Short hops

Brian Giles led the Padres offensively on Friday, going 3-for-3 with a homer, double and two RBIs. Outfielder Henri Stanley also homered. … The LPGA's Welch's/Fry's Championship is being played across the street from Hi Corbett Field at the Randolph North Golf Complex. … Friday was Little League Day at Hi Corbett Field with a couple of dozen teams gathering along the baselines for a pregame ceremony. Several Padres took time to chat with the players, sign autographs and pose for pictures.