Major League Baseball

Rockies earn first four-game winning streak at SF

Published Aug. 26, 2014 1:08 a.m. ET

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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) For years, the Colorado Rockies would lose the close ones in San Francisco.

Those fortunes have changed in 2014.

Tyler Matzek struck out seven in seven innings to end a five-start losing streak, and the Rockies capitalized on San Francisco's mistakes to beat the Giants 3-2 on Monday night for their third straight win.

The Rockies have won four straight games in San Francisco for the first time in club history, kicking off a stretch of 13 straight games against the NL West with an impressive victory.

''It's been a house of horrors for us for a long time,'' manager Walt Weiss said. ''It's great to see us winning some games here, some tight games, some games that in the past we used to lose, those one-run games like tonight.''

Matzek did his part, and his defense turned four double plays.

''We've got a great defense,'' Matzek said. ''They played well tonight. It's good to go out there and help the team win.''

In his 14th major league start and first facing the Giants, Matzek (3-9) won for the first time since beating Pittsburgh on July 26 and recorded his first victory versus the division. The left-hander won away from Coors Field for the first time in eight road appearances and seven starts after beginning 0-5.

Matzek outdueled Jake Peavy (2-4), who had won his previous two starts following three straight losses after being acquired in a trade from Boston on July 26. Matzek was efficient in a 90-pitch outing.

Justin Morneau and Corey Dickerson hit sacrifice flies for the Rockies, who earned just their fourth road win in 27 games since sweeping a three-game series at AT&T Park from June 13-15.

San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy was ejected in the eighth by plate umpire Doug Eddings for arguing a called third strike on Buster Posey. Bochy removed his hat in frustration from the dugout and got tossed before he even got out to argue. He left to chants of ''Bochy! Bochy!''

''That's a critical pitch,'' Bochy said. ''You got Posey up there and that's a tough way to end that at-bat.''

Adam Ottavino pitched a scoreless eighth and LaTroy Hawkins finished for his 21st save in 22 opportunities.

Colorado tied it in the fourth following consecutive wild throws for errors by shortstop Brandon Crawford, then Peavy's balk that scored a run. Crawford's 20 errors lead the majors at his position.

''I was just picking my leg up. Morneau couldn't have timed it any better,'' Peavy said. ''As I was picking my leg up he started to go and everybody (was saying) `step off, step off.' I tried to hop off the back of the mound.''

Andrew Susac homered for the Giants, who missed a chance at their first three-game home winning streak since taking five straight from May 28-June 8.

They saved a run on replay review in the seventh.

Bochy challenged that D.J. LeMahieu beat Susac's tag on a close play at the plate. Right fielder Hunter Pence threw home on Charlie Blackmon's two-out single.

The call was overturned in 2 minutes, 48 seconds, ending the inning. Peavy was irate initially.

''A crazy night all the way around,'' he said.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Rockies INF Nolan Arenado was named NL Player of the Week after going 12 for 22 with a pair of home runs and three RBIs. ''It means a lot,'' Arenado said. ''It's nice to be noticed when you have some success. The credit goes to my teammates for me getting the opportunities.''

TRAINER'S ROOM

Rockies: C Wilin Rosario was not in the starting lineup for the fourth straight day with a sore left wrist. He tested the injury before the game in the batting cage. ''I'm still feeling it, but it's not as bad as it was,'' he said. ''Any day could be the day (to return).''

Giants: 2B Marco Scutaro will miss the remainder of the season with a recurring strained back that has limited him to five games all season. He is home in Florida resting. ... 1B Brandon Belt (concussion) won't do baseball activity for another couple of weeks. He hasn't played since Aug. 6. C Hector Sanchez was in Pittsburgh being evaluated for his own concussion.

UP NEXT

Rockies: LHP Jorge De La Rosa (13-8, 4.21 ERA) looks to win his third straight start. He has lost his last four to San Francisco.

Giants: LHP Madison Bumgarner (14-9, 3.17) makes his fifth start of 2014 against the Rockies having gone 1-1. He struck out nine in seven innings vs. Colorado last time, in a no-decision June 15 at AT&T Park.

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