Belt's 3-Run Homer Lifts Giants Over Rockies, 4-3
DENVER (AP) — Brandon Belt extended his success against Colorado starter Jon Gray with a three-run homer and a double to lead the San Francisco Giants past the Rockies 4-3 on Wednesday night.
Belt's two hits raised his career average against Gray to .417 (10 for 24) and helped Logan Webb (1-0) get his first win in his fourth start of the season.
"He's had some success against him and he's done some good work over the years in Colorado against the Rockies," San Francisco manager Gabe Kapler said. "What I'd lean on is Brandon's consistent routine and his continued plate discipline and his ability to get on base. Today he squared the ball up in the air. In this ballpark, that the best thing you can possibly do."
Nolan Arenado homered for the third straight game for the Rockies, who had their four-game winning streak snapped.
Colorado had scored five or more runs in eight straight games before being held down by Webb and the San Francisco bullpen. The three runs are the fewest since a 3-2 win at the Texas Rangers on July 25.
Webb, making his first career start against the Rockies, kept Colorado in check in five-plus innings of work. He allowed two runs — one earned — and didn't walk a batter before leaving after a leadoff single in the sixth.
"I knew going into that inning, it had to be a clean inning," Webb said. "I gave up the first-pitch base hit and I know you guys saw me kind of yelling at myself. Hopefully I can do that every time and get on a roll here."
Caleb Baragar retired the top of the order to get out of the jam. Trevor Gott pitched the ninth for his third save in as many chances.
The Rockies scratched across an unearned run in the first inning and added another in the third against Webb to take a 2-0 lead before the Giants rallied.
Colorado shortstop Trevor Story misplayed Mike Yastrzemski's grounder in the fourth, Donovan Solano singled and Belt followed with his first homer of the season.
"I always felt like when I've worked up in the zone against him I've been successful," Gray said. "If I miss down he usually makes us pay. It was a pitch too much in his wheelhouse."
Belt doubled and scored on Wilmer Flores' single in the sixth.
Gray (0-1) allowed four runs — three earned — in six innings.
Arenado led off the seventh with a homer to cut the lead to a run. It was his 31st career home run against the Giants.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rockies: RHP Wade Davis (right shoulder strain) has not started throwing yet, manager Bud Black said Wednesday. "No update on when he's going to test the arm with a game of catch," Black said. "He's receiving treatment daily for the strain." Davis was placed on the 10-day injured list on Saturday, a day after he blew his first save of the season.
GAME CHANGER
Colorado outfielder Charlie Blackmon has adjusted to a new spot in the batting order and a new position, and then tested positive for the virus at the end of June. He rejoined the team less than a week before the season opener on July 24 and started the year 1 for 12.
He's been on a tear since, batting .484 and hitting safely in nine straight games while settling in comfortably batting third instead of leadoff and playing right field as opposed to center.
"I'm not surprised by the slow start I had initially but it has seemed I caught on pretty quick and feel comfortable in the box," Blackmon said Wednesday. "A big part of that is I was able to get my body caught up quicker than I thought I would. That's the surprise. That's been my main focus, making sure my body feels good."
UP NEXT
Giants LHP Tyler Anderson (0-1, 3.68) will face his former team for the first time. The Rockies counter with LHP Kyle Freeland (2-0, 1.50) to wrap up the four-game series.
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