Giantsblog

This loss was probably the toughest one to swallow yet this season, hopefully it will be the last. After maintaining a 2-2 tie through most of the game, the Rockies scored the go-ahead run on a balk by Tim Lincecum in the seventh inning to give them a lead they would not give up. Colorado held on to win 3-2.
Apart from giving up two early runs, Lincecum was pretty dominant. Although he gave up eight hits through seven innings of work, he limited the damage. Rockies third baseman, Chris Iannetta scored the second run in the second frame on a solo shot. The winning run was scored on a balk in the seventh inning, it was a questionable call when catcher Bengie Molina called time out while Lincecum had set to pitch. Giants manager, Bruce Bochy was ejected for arguing the call. Vinnie Chulk and Jack Taschner handled the eighth inning to keep it a one-run game. Merkin Valdez pitched a perfect ninth to keep the Giants within one run of putting it in extras.
The Giants scored their only runs in the first inning when they strung together a couple hits. Molina and centerfielder Aaron Rowand each drove in a run. After getting a leadoff walk in the ninth inning, shortstop Brian Bocock bunted Jose Castillo over to second, but Randy Winn swung at a 3-0 pitch in the next at-bat to put the Giants one out away from defeat. Pinch-hitter Dan Ortmeier struck out to end the game.
Jonathan Sanchez will start the series finale tomorrow at 12:45 p.m. and look to add some more strikeouts to his stats. Ubaldo Jimenez will be on the mound for Colorado.