Another night, another poor pitching performance for the Colorado Rockies. The San Francisco struck for 11 runs against starter Jeff Francis (3-4, 6.02 ERA) and recently recalled reliever Edgmer Escalona. The Rockies came up with six runs, but Giants starter Madison Bumgarner (12-6, 3.03 ERA) allowed just one run in six innings of work.
Buster Posey put the Giants on the board with a two-run home run in the first inning and Melky Cabrera extended it to 3-0 with a third-inning home run. A bunch of singles and a bases-loaded walk put three more runs on the board for a 6-0 lead. Francis's night ended after 3.2 innings.
The Rockies finally got on board in the sixth inning when Josh Rutledge hit his sixth home run of the season, scoring the first run. In the seventh inning, just called up Matt McBride, playing first base, doubled in a run to make the game 6-2.
Escalona pitched the eighth inning and was hit around for four runs, though the last run scored on a sac fly while Mike Ekstrom was on the mound. Catcher Wilin Rosario was playing third base at this point and he cut off a throw from the outfield, thus creating a throwing error when he attempted to get the out at home plate. That scored the first run and changed the game's tempo in favor of the Giants once again.
The Rockies (38-67, 21-36 home), already assured of a series loss, close out the series at 1:10 p.m. MT.
For more on these teams, visit Rockies blow Purple Row and Giants blog McCovey Chronicles. Head over to Baseball Nation for more news and notes around the league.
