By Jerry Feitelberg

AP photo: Colorado Rockies pitcher Chad Bettis throws to the San Francisco Giants in the first inning at Coors Field on Monday afternoon

Denver- The Colorado Rockies defeated the San Francisco Giants 6-0 Monday afternoon in Denver. The Giants own a record of 16-31 since the All-Star break. They have fallen from first place in the NL West, and if the Dodgers win today, they will trail their hated rivals by four games and their 1/2 game lead over the St.Louis Cardinals is in danger of going bye-bye. The Rockies’ starter, Chad Bettis (12-7) had the best game of his Major League Career Monday afternoon. Bettis pitched his first-ever complete game and limited the Giants to just two hits. Eduardo Nunez singled and Trevor Brown’s double was the entire Giant offense. Giants’ starter Matt Moore had problems with his command, and he exited the game after allowing six runs in just two and 2/3rds innings of work. Moore walked four and threw two wild pitches. Moore is 2-4 as a Giant and 9-11 overall.

The Rockies scored all their runs in the third inning. The big blow was a grand slam off the bat of Carlos Gonzalez. With two men on, Giants skipper Bruce Bochy elected to walk Rockies’ third baseman Nolan Arenado to load the bases and pitch to Gonzalez. Turned out to be a big mistake as Gonzalez sent a Matt Moore fastball over the fence in right-center. Two batters later, Nick Hundley hit a solo dinger to up the Rockie lead to 6-0. There was no more scoring in the game after the third inning,

After the game, Bettis, when talking about his performance said “it’s something that’s once in a lifetime. Hopefully, it occurs a little bit more.”

Carlos Gonzalez had the following to say regarding the Giants’ strategy to load the bases and pitch to him “They took their chances. Didn’t work. Good for us, bad for them.”

Matt Moore had this to say” I have to be a ton better than that.” No kidding Matt.

Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy, who has to be frustrated at the level of play by his team said “It’s time for us to wake up here. We are better than this.” Unfortunately, time is running out for the Giants, and they have to get better hitting and pitching if they hope to make the playoffs.

The Giants are suffering a severe power outage. They have hit just thirty-six taters since the All-Star break and their big power guys, Brandon Crawford, lessBrandon Belt, are Buster Posey have gone a combined 243 at-bats without a homer.

Game two of the series will be played at Coors Field Tuesday night. The Giants will send Jeff Samardzija to the hill. Jeff is 11-9 and has an ERA of 4.06. The Rockies will counter with lefty Tyler Anderson. Anderson’s record is 5-5 with a respectable 3.43 ERA.  Anderson has allowed three runs or less in twelve of his last fifteen starts.