TUCSON, Ariz. -- It was as close as it gets to fireworks in spring training.

When Padres pitcher Doug Brocail hit Colorado Rockies left fielder Matt Holliday with a fastball in the fourth inning of Tuesday's 5-5, 10-inning tie at Hi Corbett Field, angry words were exchanged as both benches emptied.

The problem wasn't necessarily that Brocail hit Holliday. But combined with Brocail's drilling of Rockies shortstop Troy Tulowitzki in the wrist on Saturday in Peoria, it made for some bad blood.

"Someone from the Rockies dugout -- I don't know who -- yelled, 'If you can't throw strikes, get off the mound,' " Brocail said. "Holliday was smacking my hard stuff away, so I tried to climb the ladder.

"It was a no-seam fastball, looking for a little movement."

The man yelling at Brocail is believed to be fiery Rockies manager Clint Hurdle. When asked about the situation after the game, Hurdle said, "No comment."

As Hurdle approached the mound, Brocail said, "Do you honestly think I was throwing at him?" According to Brocail, Hurdle answered "no," and the situation was defused.

"The thing is, I was throwing strikes," said Brocail, who said he tore the top of the nail on his index finger pulling up his socks before the game. "I couldn't throw a breaking ball, and was trying to survive on two pitches (fastball and splitter).

"Unfortunately, I hit that kid the other day, so it looks bad.

"As soon as it happened, I yelled an obscenity at myself and when it was all done, I asked Holliday if he was OK."

He was, but the incident was far from done.

In the top of the fifth inning, Rockies starter Jeff Francis threw a ball 5 feet behind Padres third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff. Home-plate umpire Alfonso Marquez immediately ejected Francis.

"Francis did what he had to do," Brocail said.

Padres manager Bud Black wasn't as diplomatic.

"I don't condone that at all," Black said. "The intent was obvious."

Holliday said he had no problem with Brocail.

"There's nothing there," he said. "It was other people (yelling). I don't know him well, but I like him. He's a good guy."

Black agreed with Holliday.

"There was no way Doug was throwing at the guy," Black said. "One just got away.

"From their standpoint, with what happened with Tulowitzki, I can understand the frustration. Especially because it was the same guy on the mound."

Asked if he knew about Brocail's fingernail problem, Black said: "I heard about it in the middle of the inning. But I still would have sent him out there. It was important for him to get his work in, even if all he had was a fastball."

Asked if he thought the situation was over, Black said, "I hope so."

Et cetera

LHP David Wells worked three innings Tuesday, throwing 38 pitches. He allowed three runs on four hits. All three runs came on a long, first-inning home run by Todd Helton. … Manager Bud Black applauded the pitching of relievers Doug Brocail, Heath Bell, Cla Meredith, Scott Strickland and Aaron Rakers. … Jake Peavy is scheduled to start for the Padres against the Rangers today. Chris Young will work on the minor-league side on Thursday, the team's only day off this spring. … 2B Marcus Giles, who has been out with a sore hip, is expected to return to the lineup Friday.