Colorado Rockies rally late to defeat San Francisco Giants
The Colorado Rockies scored two runs in the ninth inning to defeat the San Francisco Giants 2-1, to take the opener of a key three-game series at AT&T Park.
Carlos Gonzalez hit a triple in the top of the ninth to bring in Dexter Fowler for the tying run and then scored on a throwing error to give the Rockies the lead. Giants pitcher Jonathan Sanchez walked Fowler to begin the ninth inning and was replaced by closer Brian Wilson. Gonzalez then hit a broken bat liner that was misjudged by right fielder Cody Ross. Gonzalez was able to score on the same play after second basemen Freddy Sanchez’s relay throw wound up in the stands and could not be corralled by catcher Pablo Sandoval.
"It's a tough loss to take. I didn't have a good grip on that throw. If I would have had a good grip and made a better throw, we'd probably still be playing," Sanchez said.
Huston Street was able to preserve the lead for the Rockies and in the process picked up his 13th save of the season retiring the Giants in order in the bottom of the ninth.
It was a tough loss for the Giants to take as they were an inning away from gaining ground on the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Wild Card race. The Phillies were able to get only one hit in a 1-0 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. With both teams losing the Giants remain 1 ½ games back.
The Giants also blew a chance to gain ground on the San Diego Padres in the NL West. The Padres, who have been struggling lately, lost their fifth consecutive game losing 7-2 to the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Padres currently lead the Giants by five games.
The Rockies however, were able to gain ground and currently sit 3 ½ games back of the Phillies in the Wild Card race and seven games back of the Padres in the NL West. Gonzalez clearly knows what the Rockies need to do.
"I don't like to play that game, expecting the other teams to lose. We just need to win," Gonzalez said.
Jorge De La Rosa started the game for the Rockies giving up four hits and one earned run. He also struck out nine batters in a solid seven innings of work. Rafael Betancourt who came in to pitch the eighth inning for the Rockies was credited with the win and improved his record to 5-1.
Brian Wilson took the loss for the Giants and fell to 3-2. It was his fourth blown save of the season.
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