San Francisco Giants Squeeze Past Slumping Colorado Rockies 1-0
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Jeff Samardzija and two relievers combined on a three-hitter, Kevin Pillar homered and the San Francisco Giants squeezed past the slumping Colorado Rockies 1-0 on Thursday night.
Samardzija (1-0) went seven innings and outpitched Rockies starter Jon Gray to win for the first time in nearly a year. Colorado has lost six straight and 10 of 11.
The Rockies were shut out for the second time this season and have not held a lead since Chris Iannetta's 11th-inning homer on April 3 at Tampa Bay.
Samardzija permitted three hits, one walk and had a season-high seven strikeouts. Tony Watson retired three batters and Will Smith worked the ninth for his fourth save.
Gray (0-3) was almost as sharp but tied a National League record by allowing a home run in his 15th consecutive start. That was the only blemish on an otherwise crisp night for Gray, who gave up five hits and three walks with six strikeouts.
Samardzija allowed only one runner past first base and retired 10 of the final 11 batters he faced. The right-hander, who missed the final 2 ½ months last season due to shoulder inflammation, won for the first time since April 20, 2018, when he pitched five scoreless innings to beat the Los Angeles Angels in his first start of the season.
Gray pitched in and out of trouble most of the night until Pillar's home run leading off the seventh. Acquired from Toronto last week, Pillar has 10 RBIs over his last four games.
Mark Leiter (1996) and Ramon Ortiz (2005) also allowed home runs in 15 straight starts. The major league record is 20 set by Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven (1986-87).
Trainer's Room
Rockies: 1B Daniel Murphy saw a hand specialist in Arizona, but the Rockies had yet to receive results. Murphy is out with a broken left index finger. . OF David Dahl (left side core injury) ran and played long toss in Arizona, although manager Bud Black said the team plans to take a cautious approach with Dahl's rehab.
Giants: 3B Evan Longoria was rested. Pablo Sandoval started and went 0 for 4.
Up Next
Rockies RHP Chad Bettis (0-2, 11.88 ERA) attempts to get on track after allowing six runs in each of his previous two starts. The Giants counter with LHP Drew Pomeranz (0-1, 4.00).
