The San Francisco Giants' Pablo Sandoval hit for the cycle in the 8-5 win over the Colorado Rockies on Thursday evening. Rockies pitcher Jhoulys Chacin (11-12, 3.73 ERA) just didn't have it in the game, just as he hasn't been all that effective the last several weeks. He allowed all four Sandoval hits over the first six innings.
Chacin took the hook for all seven runs scored by the Giants. He allowed a two-run home run to Pablo Sandoval in the first inning and then had three more runs tacked on in the second inning. Poor defense from shortstop Tommy Field and first baseman Jordan Pacheco helped on the latter three runs. Cody Ross and Carlos Beltran added an RBI single and an RBI double play in the sixth inning. Chacin left that inning right after allowing Sandoval's triple to complete the cycle.
In the fourth inning Jordan Pacheco hit his second home run of the season, but it was the seventh inning when the Rockies attempted to make their comeback. Chris Iannetta hit his 13th home run of the season and Chris Nelson and Eric Young Jr. each hit RBI doubles. But that was it. The Giants' Brandon Belt hit a home run off Matt Reynolds to make it a three-run game.
The Giants' Ryan Vogelsong (11-7, 2.68 ERA) allowed two runs in 5-1/3 innings and struck out eight batters.
The Rockies (70-79, 38-37) continue this series on Friday with Alex White and Madison Bumgarner facing each other.
For more on the Rockies, visit Purple Row. Check out McCovey Chronicles and SB Nation Bay Area for more on the Giants.