DENVER (AP) - Sergio Romo just missed with a strikeout pitch, issuing a leadoff walk instead. That was the start of his trouble.
The San Francisco closer was tagged by Nolan Arenado for a two-out, two-run double off the wall in the ninth inning, and the Colorado Rockies overtook the Giants for a 5-4 win on Tuesday night.
“That’s tough luck,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “You walk the first hitter and that’s never a good thing. It was a close pitch I guess. It’s a game of inches man and we just missed.
It’s the second straight game the Rockies have won in walkoff fashion, with Justin Morneau hitting a two-run homer in the 10th against San Diego on Sunday. It was also the fifth time in seven games between the teams that the outcome was determined by one run.
“It wasn’t a surprise with the kind of offense they’ve got,” said Giants starter Madison Bumgarner, who pitched well but wasn’t involved in the decision. “They’ve been pitching good, too. This is not the easiest place to pitch. I expect them to be there the whole year, so it’s going to be a battle between everyone.”
The NL West-leading Giants took a 4-3 lead in the top of the ninth on an RBI double by Tyler Colvin against closer LaTroy Hawkins (2-0).
“You know you’ve got Romo coming in but those guys had the heart of the order coming up so you can never relax right there,” Colvin said. “They’ve still got three outs to go and they’re not going to give it to us.”
Arenado hit a 2-2 pitch off Romo (3-1) that glanced off the top of the fence in left and bounced back into the outfield, easily scoring Troy Tulowitzki and then a hustling Carlos Gonzalez with the winning run.
The Rockies are now 10-4 at Coors Field against the Giants since last season.
Wilin Rosario had an RBI double and a two-run homer as he steadily regains his strength. Rosario recently missed a dozen games because of a viral infection that caused him to lose nearly 10 pounds.
Hawkins struggled for a second straight game. He blew his first save of the season Sunday.
Bumgarner allowed three runs in six innings before being removed for a reliever. That’s the 18th straight road starts he’s surrendered three runs or less, which is the longest streak in team history as he surpassed Ed Whitson.
The left-hander was staked to a 3-1 lead, but couldn’t hold it as he gave up a tying two-run homer to Rosario in the sixth.
Bumgarner was none too pleased in the seventh when he was hit by a pitch from Rex Brothers on the leg. Bumgarner jawed at the Rockies dugout as he made his way to first base.
“Heat of the moment. Everybody was fired up,” said Bumgarner, who hit Tulowitzki in the left leg with an errant pitch earlier in the game. “It shows two teams out there that care.”
Franklin Morales was sharp after scuffing for the last month, giving up three runs over six innings in the no decision.
San Francisco took advantage of an overturned call to score three times in the fifth. After a one-out single by Brandon Crawford, Colvin laced a ball to left that appeared to drop right on the line, only to be ruled foul.
Bochy challenged the play and the call was reversed, with Colvin being awarded a double. Gregor Blanco soon followed with a two-out, two-run triple to deep center. Hunter Pence brought in Blanco with a slow roller that Tulowitzki struggled to cleanly field.
The most explosive hitting team in baseball got another weapon back with reigning NL batting champion Michael Cuddyer returning to the lineup Tuesday. He’s been out the last month with a strained left hamstring.
NOTES: Giants OF Angel Pagan (left shoulder) and C Buster Posey (back irritation) were out of the starting lineup. … Bochy said Posey “needs a day, might need a couple.” … The Giants will throw RHP Matt Cain (1-3) on Tuesday night, while the Rockies counter with RHP Jhoulys Chacin (0-2). … Giants RHP Tim Hudson threw a bullpen session on Tuesday and remains on schedule to pitch Thursday.
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