San Francisco Giants’ Bats Remain Silent; Colorado Rockies win 2-1

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner (40) pitched a complete game loss tonight, losing to the Colorado Rockies, 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Troy Tulowitzki and Nolan Arenado each hit solo home runs, and it was enough for the Colorado Rockies to get by the San Francisco Giants, 2-1, Tuesday night, as the Giants’ bats remained ominously quiet.  Hunter Pence did all he could, by clubbing a fifth inning solo home run of his own and adding a single in the eighth, but it was not enough, even though Madison Bumgarner went the distance.

Though he came into tonight’s match 0-3, with a 6.57 ERA lifetime against the Giants, Franklin Morales limited Giants’ hitters to Pence’s big fly and four additional hits through seven innings.  Adam Ottavino and Rex Brothers combined to pitch a scoreless eighth, marked by Pablo Sandoval’s inning-ending, double play ground ball, and Latroy Hawkins closed it out for his sixth save in six chances.  Earlier in the game, Pablo had managed to get on base twice, once via a double and once by way of a walk, but as seems the case recently, when clutch was in demand, Pablo remained in neutral.

Bumgarner allowed base hits in each of the first six innings, but always tightened his grip as circumstances dictated, and downright dominated in the final three innings.  Five of his six strikeouts came after he gave up his second home run in the fifth.  He threw 97 pitches altogether.  The loss must seem especially discouraging to him, when you think of another quality start going down the tubes, as the Giants’ offensive woes continue.

Mar 10, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants outfielder Hunter Pence prior to the game against the Chicago Cubs at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

I have always defined a baseball game as having been successful when my team either wins or at least gets the tying run to the plate in the late innings.  At least then I will have had the opportunity to savor the possibility of a victory.  In a one-run game, that success is a given and beyond, because any time a batter can eke passage onto the bases, it puts the potentially leading run at the plate.  So as disappointing as tonight’s outcome was, the game was infinitely more entertaining than the 8-2 loss last night.

The Giants have to ride this dismal offensive streak out, consider themselves fortunate that the pitching (noting last night’s blotch) has been so stellar, and come back tomorrow ready to try it again.  Slumps happen and it’s good to have had the success that the Giants did early, because at least they know they have the ability.  For now, concentrate on getting a victory on get-away day, and at least emerge from the first 22 games against National League West opponents, with a winning record, 12-10.

Bring on the Tribe-we need a break from NL West opponents!

Cleveland Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (13) makes a play during the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE