Bullpen implodes again

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO-Even though the San Francisco Giants defeated the San Diego Padres on Thursday afternoon, the bullpen continues to falter.

Javier Lopez gave up a double to Carlos Gonzalez that scored Charlie Blackmon on the first batter he faced, as the Colorado Rockies defeated the Giants 8-6 before a crowd of 41,887, the 366th consecutive sellout at AT&T Park. Following an intentional walk to Nolan Arenado, Ben Paulsen hit a two-run single that scored Troy Tulowitzki and Gonzalez.

The Giants tied up the game in the previous half-inning, as Brandon Belt singled in Matt Duffy and then Brandon Crawford singled in Buster Posey. All four hits came with two outs for the Giants.

Arenado gave the Rockies the lead in the top of the sixth inning, as he hit a towering three-run home run into the left field bleachers that also scored Tulowitzki and Gonzalez.

Andrew Susac gave the Giants the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, as he hit a solo home run off of Rockies starter Chad Bettis, breaking the scoreless tie.

Hudson lasted 5.2 innings, allowing five runs on 10 hits, walking one and striking out six, as he lost for the seventh time this season against five wins.

Bettis improved to 4-2 on the season, as he went six innings, allowing three runs on six hits, walking two and striking out three.

Lopez dud not retire a batter for the second straight day, as he faced four batters on Thursday and three batters on Friday.

It was a big night for Gonzalez, as he picked up his fourth career five hit game and the first since May 6, 2014 against the Texas Rangers at Coors Field.

Arenado also did big things at the plate, as he hit two home runs, giving him 22 home runs on the season. It was the fourth multi-home run game for Arenado in his career, the third this season and second this week. Arenado also hit two home runs in the same game on Tuesday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field.

The Giants mounted a mini comeback in the bottom of the ninth inning, as Crawford scored on a passed ball with Travis Ishikawa at the plate. Following the passed ball, Ishikawa walked and then Gregor Blanco singled in Justin Maxwell, who also walked.

Joe Panik then singled in Ishikawa to narrow the lead down to 8-6, but then Matt Duffy struck out for the second out of the inning to bring up Buster Posey; however Tommy Kahnle struck out Posey to end the game.

There were three different reviews on the evening, all were challenged by the Giants and none of the three were overturned.

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