Two homers help Rockies stay hot vs. Giants

June 17th, 2017

DENVER -- The Rockies continued their recent dominance over the Giants by winning their seventh consecutive game against San Francisco, 10-8, on a hot night at Coors Field on Friday. Following a 10-9 victory Thursday, the Rockies outslugged the Giants again, this time getting home runs from and .
Desmond's homer was a three-run shot over the right-field wall in the fifth inning, his first at Coors Field with the Rockies. Story's was a pinch-hit solo blast in the sixth, his first homer since May 29 against the Mariners.
"They're routine outs, probably, in another park. But it's a different game here," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.

The Rockies tacked on three runs in the seventh with a Desmond sacrifice fly, a single that misplayed in right field, and an RBI double.
The Giants hit three homers of their own, including a 446-foot shot over the right-center-field wall by San Francisco starter Jeff Samardzija, the longest home run by a pitcher since Statcast™ was introduced in 2015. On the mound, Samardzija didn't fare as well, surrendering a season-high eight runs on 11 hits over six-plus innings.

"I thought we made some good pitches," Samardzija said. "[The Rockies] did a good job of staying opposite-field, especially late in the count."
Rockies rookie starter gave up five runs on six hits, walking one and striking out six over six innings. He has yielded four or more runs in five of his last seven starts, though he has gone five or more innings in six of those outings.
"He's shown poise all year," Rockies manager Bud Black said. "He's shown the ability, along with our other young guys, to remain in the game with a poise that is not reflective of a lot of young pitchers."
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Desi delivers first Coors dinger: Desmond's first Coors Field home run as a member of the Rockies put Colorado in front in a five-run fifth inning. His three-run shot just over the wall in right field came on a 1-2 cutter from Samardzija with two outs and the Rockies trailing, 4-3. Entering the game, Desmond had been slugging just .354 at home, with only three extra-base hits (all doubles) in 65 at-bats.

Pence's plight in right continues: Pence's defensive difficulties in right field during this series continued Friday, and a miscue in the seventh inning was particularly costly for the Giants. With two outs and runners at the corners, Tapia lined a single to right, and on the second hop, the ball bounced off Pence's glove and rolled toward the wall. scored all the way from first, and Tapia -- who would score on Amarista's double -- wound up at third.

Pence had what appeared to be a routine fly ball go over his head in Thursday's game, resulting in a single for DJ LeMahieu.
"We have to just clean up a little bit," Bochy said.
BOCHY EJECTED
Pence's error Friday was part of a wild seventh inning during which Bochy was ejected by home-plate umpire Gary Cederstrom for arguing balls and strikes after LeMahieu walked to lead off the frame.
Bochy summarized his ejection succinctly: "Just frustration."

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
Since 2014, Giants pitchers have hit 20 home runs, including Samardzija's blast Friday. Fourteen of those have come courtesy of , including two on Opening Day of this season. The 20 homers by San Francisco pitchers are by far the most in MLB over that span; the Cubs are second with eight.
REPLAY REVIEW
The Rockies challenged a safe call at first base in the fifth inning, when Giants catcher Nick Hundley led off with a ground ball in the hole at shortstop. Amarista made a backhand grab of the ball and threw off-balance to first on a hop. The ball was picked at first by Desmond, but Hundley was ruled safe. A replay review determined the call stands.

WHAT'S NEXT
Giants: San Francisco will try again in Saturday's 12:10 p.m. PT rematch. Right-hander , who's 6-4 with a 4.61 ERA in 18 career appearances (17 starts) at Coors Field, will start for the Giants.
Rockies: The Rockies will try to take the series from the Giants behind left-hander at 1:10 p.m. MT on Saturday. In his only career start against San Francisco, he tossed seven innings April 23 at Coors Field in an 8-0 victory.
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