Giants Fall 7-3 To Rockies To Close Out Season
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Corey Dickerson hit a three-run homer, pinch-hitter Justin Morneau delivered a two-run single and the Colorado Rockies rallied for seven runs in the ninth inning Sunday to beat the San Francisco Giants 7-3.
The Giants finished 84-78, a year after winning 88 games in the regular season and going on to take their third World Series title in five seasons.
Colorado's comeback spoiled Matt Cain's outing. He started for the first time in six weeks and pitched two-hit ball for five scoreless innings.
The Giants wound up using 11 pitchers. They took a two-hit shutout into the final inning before the Rockies rallied. Charlie Blackmon also drove in a pair of runs for the Rockies.
Rex Brothers (1-0) pitched a scoreless eighth for the win. George Kontos (4-4) took the loss.
Buster Posey drove in his 95th run for the Giants, who won the NL wild-card game last season.
Rockies closer John Axford walked two, sandwiched around a double, to load the bases in the ninth. He struck out Matt Duffy and got Posey to ground out to end the game.
The Rockies finished the year with 68 victories, two more than last year. It was their fifth straight losing mark.
Carlos Gonzalez and third baseman Nolan Arenado combined to hit 82 home runs and drive in 227 runs, the most productive duo in Rockies history since Todd Helton and Larry Walker combined for 87 homers and 269 RBIs in 2001.
Giants reliever Jeremy Affeldt, who announced his retirement last week, recorded the first two outs of the sixth before leaving to a standing ovation.
Affeldt hugged manager Bruce Bochy and the gathered infielders before heading off the mound for the final time and acknowledging the fans.
The Giants recorded their 408th consecutive sellout, the longest active streak in the majors. They drew 3,375,882 this year, 7,285 more than in 2014.
San Francisco, which clinched the NL team batting crown, started six rookies.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rockies: C Tom Murphy underwent an MRI on his left shoulder. It showed no structural damage, but confirmed a mild strain and also revealed a contusion.
UP NEXT
Rockies: Opens the 2016 regular season on April 4 at the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Giants: Cactus League opener on Wednesday, March 2 vs. Los Angeles Angels at Scottsdale Stadium.
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press.