The San Francisco Giants are going through a rough stretch and look to bounce back Saturday in the middle portion of a three-game series versus the Colorado Rockies at AT&T Park.
The Giants have lost four of their last five games following a five-game winning streak and dropped a 7-4 decision to the Rockies Friday night. The bullpen blew a 4-2 lead and Colorado posted five runs in the ninth.
Closer Sergio Romo was responsible for all five runs to take the loss and starting pitcher Tim Lincecum was solid in six innings of work, allowing two runs and three hits with six strikeouts and two walks.
"It got away from us with the fundamentals there in the ninth," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.
Michael Morse had two hits and two RBI and Hunter Pence went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a pair of runs scored in the loss. Pablo Sandoval ended with two hits as well for San Francisco, which still has a comfortable 7 1/2-game lead atop the National League West.
San Francisco is 4-4 on a 10-game homestand and will send Ryan Vogelsong to the bump Saturday. Vogelsong is 4-3 with a 3.84 earned run average and was trounced by the Washington Nationals in Monday's 9-2 loss, charged with six runs and nine hits across six innings.
Vogelsong was 3-0 in his previous four starts. The right-hander is 5-2 with a 3.90 ERA in 14 career games (9 starts) against Colorado.
Colorado looks to extend its winning streak to four games and its recent success comes on the heels of losing 11 of 12 games.
The Rockies' rally in the ninth inning Friday night was highlighted by pinch- hitter Ryan Wheeler's two-run single with one out. DJ LeMahieu and pinch- hitter Michael McKenry followed with run-scoring hits and LeMahieu scored when McKenry was picked off and caught stealing second with two out.
Justin Morneau ended with two hits and two RBI, while Rockies starting pitcher Jorge De La Rosa gave up two runs in three innings before leaving the game with a balky back. Rockies stud shortstop Troy Tulowitzki also exited Friday's game with a right toe injury and is day-to-day. He left in the ninth inning.
"Right now, it looks like a sprained toe," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "He felt something in his foot, and that's what we're calling it right now."
Tulowitzki is batting .356 with 17 home runs and 43 RBI, and has been plagued by injuries the past few seasons.
Christian Bergman will make the second start of his career Saturday for the Rox and lost his MLB debut in Monday's 3-1 setback to Atlanta. Bergman pitched well and allowed two runs in six innings with four K's and two walks.
The right-hander, who posted one of Colorado's four hits against the Braves, hopes to keep the Rockies rolling on this west coast jaunt through San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Colorado is 5-4 against the Giants this season.
[SportsNetwork.com]
