The Rockies’ one-two rookie punch KO’d the Giants in the first game of a doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Coors Field.
Shortstop Ezequiel Tovar hit a three-run triple and drove in a career-high four runs, and left fielder Nolan Jones tripled and scored three times as Colorado rolled to a 9-5 victory.
The Rockies won their fourth consecutive game, tying a season-best streak set way back on April 30 to May 4.
The Giants, who entered the day one game out of the race for the National League’s third wild-card spot, were hurt by awful pitching. The Giants walked seven, including four in Colorado’s three-run fifth inning.
Ryan Walker walked Hunter Goodman with the bases full to force in one run. Walker was replaced by Ross Stripling, who promptly walked Harold Castro for another run.
San Francisco led 3-0 in the third until Tovar’s bases-loaded triple knotted the game in the bottom of the frame.
Jones hit a one-out triple in the sixth and scored on Tovar’s single to left.
Left-hander Kyle Freeland was scheduled to start Game 2 for the Rockies.
Lambert to IL. Right-hander Peter Lambert, who’s pitched well enough to earn strong consideration for a spot in next season’s starting rotation, was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with right biceps tendinitis.
Lambert, 3-7 with a 5.36 ERA in 25 games, including 11 starts, is likely done for the season. He began the year in the bullpen before being plugged into the rotation when the Rockies suffered a rash of injuries to their starting rotation.
In his 11 starts, Lambert posted a 4.50 ERA, but he wasn’t sharp in his last two starts, giving up 10 runs in 11 innings.
The Rockies’ plan this season was to limit Lambert to 100-120 innings this season because of his history of elbow problems. Counting his seven starts at Triple-A Albuquerque, Lambert has thrown 109 innings.
Sunday’s pitching matchup
Giants LHP Sean Manaea (5-6, 4.80 ERA) at Rockies RHP Chris Flexen (1-3, 6.75)
1:10 p.m. Sunday, Coors Field
TV: ATTRM
Radio: 630 KHOW
Flexen is trying to make a strong impression as the season winds down. Despite his sky-high ERA, he’s been pitching better of late. In his last start, he allowed three runs on nine hits, walked two and fanned five over 5 2/3 innings against the Cubs at Coors Field. On Tuesday against the Guardians, Manaea made his first start since May 10. He was saddled with the loss but pitched decently over 5 2/3 innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on two hits and two walks while striking out five. Manaea lost his spot in the rotation after posting a 7.96 ERA over his first eight appearances of the season, but he got back on track after moving to the bullpen where he put up a 3.86 ERA over 25 relief appearances.
Pitching probables
Monday: Rockies LHP Ty Blach (3-1, 4.64) at Padres RHP Michael Wacha (11-4, 3.43), 7:40 p.m., ATTRM
Tuesday: Rockies TBA at Padres LHP Blake Snell (14-9, 2.43), 7:40 p.m., ATTRM
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