By Barbara Mason
Despite a rain delay in game two between the San Francisco Giants (37-51) and the Colorado Rockies (36-54) the game was finally able to get underway and the Giants delivered a little payback after Friday’s thrashing with a 6-4 win to tie the series. In game two the Giants scored four runs in the first inning.
The Rockies came back scoring three runs in the bottom of the first but San Francisco was a far different team today tacking on another run in the second, and one more in the third and the Giants offense was on task.
The Rockies settled down offensively after the first inning and the Giants slowed down after the third. There was not much in the way of offense, a hit here, a hit there. It all came down to the Giants relief pitching to keep the Rockies off the scoreboard and tie up the series and they did just that.
The Rockies had not scored since the first inning so some solid pitching for San Francisco. While Colorado did score a single run in the ninth inning it was too little too late.
GAME RECAP
It took a bit but game two between the Giants and the Rockies finally got underway. The game was delayed before first pitch because of lightning and rain. The game originally scheduled for 5:10 PM got first pitch off around 5:55 PM. In fact, fans were temporarily asked to leave the upper seating area during the lightning storm.
San Francisco got the bats working early giving the Rockies a little bit of their own medicine and then some by scoring four runs in the first inning. With one out, Luis Arraez singled followed by a Casey Schmitt double.
Rafael Devers walked and much like the lightning before the game, in a flash San Francisco had the bases loaded. Then the scoring got underway. Jung Hoo Lee grounded into a fielders choice to second and Arraez scored for the early 1-0 lead. Willy Adames doubled both Lee and Schmitt home and the Giants now had a 3-0 lead. Bryce Eldridge doubled Adames home and the first inning had been a most productive inning for the Giants leading 4-0.
Prior to the game there had been a change on the mound for the Rockies. Originally Tomoyuki Sugano was scheduled to start but was scratched just before the game with back spasms. Sean Sullivan from their Triple-A made the start instead.
When it looked like the Rockies would be shut out in the first inning it took a left turn. With Hunter Goodman and Tyler Freeman on base, Cole Carrigg hit the first home run of the game and Colorado was back in it although trailing 4-3. San Francisco would have to put some more runs on the board for insurance.
The Giants put up another run in the top of the second inning. Heliot Ramos doubled followed by a Luis Arraez single. Ramos scored and Arraez made it to second base. The Giants had now taken a 5-3 lead. Robbie Ray got through the bottom of the second inning only giving up a walk.
A Bryce Eldridge solo home run advanced the San Francisco lead to 6-3 in the top of the third inning. Ray gave up no hits in the third inning and it was off to the fourth.
Other than a single from Rafael Devers the San Francisco offense had calmed down a bit. After giving up the home run Robbie Ray was solid with a three and out in the bottom of the fourth.
Just when this game got up to speed there was a second delay just prior to going into the fifth inning. Home plate umpire Scott Barry was forced to leave the game after citing not feeling well. He appeared to get hit in the throat by a foul tip earlier and tried to carry on for an inning or so but could not continue.
The game was halted so his replacement could gear up and get out on the field. Fans took the opportunity to hit the concessions with ice cream being the go-to in the 88 degree heat Saturday.
This game had a little bit of everything as the top of the fifth finally got underway. The Rockies got out of the inning with ease and the game went into the bottom of the fifth. Colorado pitcher Sean Sullivan had settled down after the third inning and was holding his own but had already thrown 91 pitches through five innings. It was another quick inning for Robbie Ray with a couple of strikeouts and a flyout. He had a pitch count of 75.
Surprisingly Sullivan remained in the game in top of the sixth despite his pitch count. Giants got some offense going with a Luis Arraez single and a Chung Hoo Lee double. The Rockies made a pitching change at that point and Juan Mejia relieved Sullivan who had allowed 12 hits 6 earned runs, one walk with four strikeouts.
His pitch count was very high at 105. San Francisco had a great opportunity in the inning with two outs and the bases loaded. Bryce Eldridge fouled out and the Giants had squandered the chance to extend their lead.
Ray got into a bit of a jam in the bottom of the sixth. With Kyle Karros on third, Hunter Goodman on second and only one out, the Rockies were also looking at a scoring opportunity. Jake McCarthy ground out and that was the inning. Colorado had also squandered a scoring opportunity.
The top of the seventh inning was a quick one with Victor Bericoto and Eric Haase both striking out, Ramos lining out ending the top of the inning. Sam Hentges relieved Ray in the bottom of the seventh. Ray had allowed five hits, three earned runs, three walks and four strikeouts through six innings. Hentges made short work of the Rockies dismissing them one, two, three.
Antonio Senzatela took the mound for the Rockies to start the eighth inning. He allowed a Casey Schmitt single but not much else. The game went into the bottom of the inning and the Giants were counting on their relief pitching to finish off Colorado.
The offense for both teams had really quieted. Through eight innings San Francisco had more production at the plate with 13 hits, the Rockies only managing five. Dylan Smith came out of the Giants bullpen for the bottom of the eighth. He gave up one walk as this game went into the top of the ninth inning and San Francisco was three outs away from evening the series.
The Rockies did score a run in the bottom of the ninth but it was too little too late. San Francisco took game two 6-4 and now had a chance to take the series in game three Sunday.
GAME NOTES
San Francisco had a great start in this game scoring in the first three innings. Bryce Eldridge had a home run in the game and Luis Arraez with three hits. They finished the game with 14 hits to the Rockies seven.
The Giants swung the bats well in the early innings and the Rockies had really cooled off. They only scored in the first and the ninth innings of this game. Ray settled down after the first inning and sailed through the rest of his time on the mound. He shut the Rockies down after that rough first inning. Relief pitching kept the Rockies off base, a big part of this win.
Sunday the series winner will be decided in game three. Tyler Mahle will take the mound for the Giants. He has had his struggles with a 1-8 win/loss record and a 5.67 ERA. The Rockies will start Tanner Gordon. He comes into the game with an 0-2 win/loss record and a 6.69 ERA.
First pitch for game three is scheduled for 1:00 PM PDT. There is no sign of inclement weather on Sunday and a projected high of 92 degrees at first pitch.
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