Rockies at Giants
If the Colorado Rockies were looking to put last season’s road struggles behind them, they’re off to a good start. The Rockies are 5-0 on the road for the first time in franchise history heading into Wednesday’s series finale against the San Francisco Giants, who have lost five in a row.
Colorado has won seven of its last 11 games in San Francisco, including Tuesday’s 4-1 victory. Third baseman Nolan Arenado and center fielder Charlie Blackmon provided the defensive highlights and Adam Ottavino displayed an impressive slider to strike out the side in the ninth for his second career save. Shortstop Brandon Crawford is hitless in his last 21 at-bats for the Giants, who have been held to one run in the first two games of the series and stranded a total of 21 base runners. Catcher Buster Posey was held out of Tuesday’s starting lineup due to a tight trapezius muscle, but later appeared as a pinch hitter and is expected to start at first base in the series finale.
TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies LH Tyler Matzek (0-0, 2.25 ERA) vs. Giants RH Tim Lincecum (0-0, 0.00)
Matzek has been slow to develop since being selected by Colorado in the first round of the 2009 draft, but he made his first opening day roster after going 4-2 with a 1.55 ERA over his final six starts last season. The 24-year-old struggled with his control against the Chicago Cubs last Friday, when he allowed one run on four hits and three walks in four innings. Matzek also recorded his second career double at the plate.
While Lincecum isn’t the flame-throwing phenom he was years ago, the 30-year-old managed to keep San Diego off balance over seven scoreless innings last Friday. “I got some fastballs by some guys and set up my offspeed,” he told reporters. “If it’s 85 to 88 (mph) and I’m getting outs, that’s all that matters to me.” Carlos Gonzalez is 13-for-48 with two homers against the two-time Cy Young award winner, who is 11-9 with a 3.92 ERA in 28 career starts against the Rockies.
WALK-OFFS
1. Giants 3B Casey McGehee is expected to miss his fourth straight game with a bruised knee but could return Thursday against Arizona.
2. The Rockies’ bullpen has allowed seven runs (six earned) in its first 30 innings.
3. San Francisco OF Nori Aoki owns a career-high 17-game hitting streak dating back to last season.