Giants-Rockies Preview
After an offensive surge helped them get back to winning, the San Francisco Giants should feel confident about finally taking a series against the Colorado Rockies in Sunday's finale. As the visiting Giants seek their 15th victory in 17 games, Johnny Cueto will try to extend an outstanding three-week stretch as well as a 19-inning scoreless streak against the Rockies. San Francisco (31-20) fell to 3-5 in the season series with a 5-2 series-opening loss before scoring six runs in the eighth inning Saturday en route to a 10-5 victory at Colorado (23-25). Brandon Belt went 3 for 5 with two doubles and Buster Posey hit a pair of three-run homers, including a tiebreaking shot in the eighth. Belt is batting .429 over a nine-game hitting streak against the Rockies, while Posey is batting .385 with 11 homers in 49 games at Coors Field. ''This is a park that allows you to (hit for power)," Posey said. ''Sometimes at home, those balls are tracked down in the gap.'' The NL West-leading Giants now hope to provide a similar outburst for Cueto (7-1, 2.38 ERA) as they seek their 12th win in 14 road games and first series victory over Colorado in three tries. The right-hander has struck out 26 and walked five while going 3-0 with an 0.81 ERA over his last four starts. He also tied for the major league lead with his third complete game Monday when he threw a two-hitter in a 1-0 home victory over San Diego. "If you look at his history, the guy's had a nice career. A great career," manager Bruce Bochy said. "He's got great savvy out there, along with great stuff." The 30-year-old Cueto will try to become the ninth Giant to win at least eight of his first 11 starts of the season since the franchise moved to San Francisco and first since Shawn Estes in 1997. He's 2-0 with a 1.11 ERA in his last four starts against the Rockies, including two at Coors. He gave up no runs and scattered eight hits over 8 1/3 innings in a 2-1, 13-inning home win May 7. Gerardo Parra, Charlie Blackmon and Trevor Story each had two hits off him in that contest. Parra is hitting .344 with two home runs and three doubles in 32 career at-bats in the matchup. Carlos Gonzalez went 3 for 5 with his seventh home run and Nolan Arenado was 2 for 5 with a double Saturday but Colorado's five-game home winning streak came to an end. Gonzalez is 12 for 25 with two homers over his last six. Chris Rusin (1-2, 3.93) hopes to fare better than he did earlier this month against the Giants. He allowed seven runs and a career-high 13 hits over 4 1/3 innings, but received plenty of run support in a 17-7 win May 5. He's shown improvement of late, giving up two runs over 10 2/3 innings in his last two games - including one relief appearance. Posey is 5 for 11 lifetime off Rusin, while Gregor Blanco is 4 for 6, Brandon Crawford is 4 for 10 with a home run and Kelby Tomlinson is 5 for 10 with a homer and two doubles. Denard Span's status is uncertain due to a sore right hip. |