DENVER -- After launching his Los Angeles Dodgers career with three superlative starts, Kenta Maeda came to Coors Field where he had to contend with a spacious outfield, balls traveling farther in thin air and a potent Colorado Rockies lineup Saturday night.

Coors Field can be brutally harsh on pitchers. But in his debut there, Maeda met the challenge with utter ease as the Dodgers beat the Rockies 4-1. He held the Rockies hitless for 5 1/3 innings and scoreless for 6 1/3 innings on three singles before leaving after throwing 94 pitches, 64 for strikes, and lowering his ERA to 0.36.

Maeda has allowed one run in four career starts covering 25 1/3 innings which, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, is tied for the fewest by any pitcher since 1900 with a minimum of 20 innings pitched.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called it "a special night" and said Maeda had the best fastball command he had since seeing him. After throwing some sliders in the first inning that didn't break as he anticipated, Maeda made a quick adjustment and began finishing that pitch to give it the required sharp break.

"He commanded everything," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "It looked like we were never really in sync with him; we were never in rhythm. It's because he threw everything for strikes. It's a nice pitch mix. He can throw his breaking stuff -- slider, curveball -- at any time for a strike or just off the plate and it's late action on his breaking stuff."

A.J. Ellis hit a two-run homer in the second off Tyler Chatwood (2-2) as the Dodgers packed three of their runs into the first two innings. That proved to be enough of a cushion for Maeda as he overmatched the Rockies.

"Pitching at Coors Field for the first time against that offensive firepower they have over there, I can't say enough about what Kenta was able to do tonight," said Ellis, the catcher. "It was beyond impressive."

Maeda evoked memories of Hideo Nomo, who like Maeda left Japan to pitch for the Dodgers and on Sept. 17, 1996, threw the only no-hitter in the history of Coors Field, which opened in 1995.

Maeda's hitless string ended with one out in the sixth when DJ LeMahieu lined a single to center. Trevor Story followed with a single. Carlos Gonzalez loaded the bases with an infield single as shortstop Corey Seager and second baseman Chase Utley got tangled up as they both made a diving attempt for the ball.

"I was aware I was facing the third and fourth hitters," Maeda said through a translator. "But I had a four-run lead. I trusted A.J.'s demand for certain pitches. I executed."

Maeda got Nolan Arenado to pop out on the only changeup Maeda threw all game to a right-handed hitter. He grabbed Gerardo Parra's soft one-hopper and tossed the ball home for the inning-ending force out.

"He used more changeups today, which is an easier pitch to command in this environment," Ellis said. "Kept them off balance. This guy knows how to pitch, guy knows how to win, guy understands what he's doing out there."

After Maeda departed, Ben Paulsen singled into the hole at shortstop and took second when Seager's throw sailed over first base. With two outs, Brandon Barnes doubled home the Rockies' lone run.

Kenley Jansen earned his eighth save of the season and 20th in a row dating to Aug. 26, 2015, to preserve the victory for Maeda on his memorable night.

"He doesn't miss much," Carlos Gonzalez said. "In the big leagues, you've got to pitch that way. You've got to paint, and he was definitely painting today. He was going inside, outside, so it's tough to pick up."

NOTES: Dodgers RHP Zach Lee was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he was 3-0 with a 1.56 ERA in three starts. He'll work out of the bullpen as the Dodgers placed RHP Yimi Garcia (right biceps soreness) on the 15-day disabled list. ... Rockies C Nick Hundley (concussion) is scheduled to play five innings on Saturday and Sunday for Triple-A Albuquerque. Barring a setback, the Rockies will activate Hundley on Monday. ... Rockies SS Trevor Story hit leadoff after batting second in his first 16 career games. ... According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Rockies RHP Jon Gray, who had a career-high 10 strikeouts on Friday night, is the fourth rookie to strike out at least 10 batters in a game at Coors Field. Colorado's Shawn Chacon in 2001 and Oliver Perez with the San Diego Padres in 2002 each had 13 strikeouts in a game, and Colorado's Ubaldo Jimenez had 10 in 2007. ... Dodgers 3B Justin Turner was available to pinch hit but never left the bench. Manager Dave Roberts said Turner wasn't moving well after having his left big toe spiked on Friday night by Rockies C Tony Wolters. ... Dodgers RHP Louis Coleman will rejoin the team Monday after being on bereavement leave. ... Rockies RHP Carlos Estevez made his major league debut and pitched two hitless innings one day after being recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque.