Late error helps Rockies rally for 5-2 win over Giants

DENVER -- Kyle Freeland has a silhouette of a mountain range tattooed along his right arm.

So, no, the Denver native doesn't mind pitching in a little thin air.

Freeland elevated his game once again at Coors Field and the Colorado Rockies scored the go-ahead run in the seventh on a throwing error by shortstop Brandon Crawford to rally for a 5-2 win over the San Francisco Giants on Monday night.

Freeland (8-6) settled in to go seven strong innings after surrendering a homer to Gorkys Hernandez on the first pitch of the game.

That mistake hardly weighed on him.

"There were a lot more pitches to be thrown," said Freeland, who allowed three hits. "You have to have faith in your offense they'll come through for you."

The left-hander hardly feels intimidated by the hitter's park. Freeland has allowed three or fewer runs in all but one of his seven starts at Coors Field this season.

"To me, it's still the game of baseball. You have to make your pitches," Freeland said of his approach at Coors. "If you don't make your pitches, there's a strong chance they're going to get whacked -- hard."

Part of Freeland's good groove of late has to do with the development of his changeup. He's throwing it with confidence -- and success.

"There is a poise factor that comes into play when you're playing this game," Rockies manager Bud Black said. "He's learning this at the highest level. ... I love the day that Kyle pitches."

Scott Oberg threw the eighth and Wade Davis worked his way around a one-out double by Buster Posey in the ninth for his 24th save. He struck out Crawford to end the game.

Madison Bumgarner (1-3) was cruising along until the seventh when he began to unravel. After allowing three straight singles, he was replaced by reliever Reyes Moronta, who walked Nolan Arenado and then allowed the tying run on a double play. Ian Desmond followed with a roller that Crawford gobbled up only to throw wide to first, allowing the tiebreaking run to score.

"Just didn't throw it 100 percent. I gave it about an 80-percent throw," Crawford explained. "One-hopper, I had time."

Pinch-hitter Tom Murphy added an insurance run in the eighth, with Charlie Blackmon bringing in another on a sacrifice fly. Arenado finished 2 for 3 with two walks.

Bumgarner ran his streak to 22 scoreless innings before it came to a halt in the seventh when he was charged with three runs, two earned. Before Monday, the left-hander hadn't allowed a run since June 16 in Los Angeles against the Dodgers.

"I don't care about the streak. I'm just trying to win," Bumgarner said. "That's a tough loss. Everything was going our way early on and didn't go our way late. That's all there is to it."

TRAINER'S ROOM

Giants: RHP Johnny Cueto (elbow) was schedule to throw a bullpen session Monday in Sacramento, while RHP Jeff Samardzija (shoulder) was slated to make a rehab start for Triple-A Sacramento. "It's a fairly big day in Sacramento," manager Bruce Bochy cracked. "Tomorrow, we'll have a plan."

Rockies: RHP Bryan Shaw (right calf strain) had a bullpen session Monday and "threw the ball well," Black said. Shaw will throw a simulated game Wednesday and may soon go out on a rehab assignment. ... RHP Chad Bettis wore white tape on his middle finger after developing a hot spot during Sunday's start. Bettis was pulled after three innings. "We're concerned about him for sure," Black said.

GREAT GRABS

Austin Slater played a big role in keeping the Rockies off the scoreboard early by making a sliding catch in left field to end the third with the bases loaded. Slater also had a diving catch in the second.

UP NEXT

Giants: RHP Chris Stratton (8-5, 4.45 ERA) faces the Rockies on Tuesday for a second time in less than a week. He allowed five runs over four innings last Thursday.

Rockies: RHP Antonio Senzatela (2-1, 6.23) will be recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque and make his first start of the season Tuesday. He takes the place of opening day starter Jon Gray, who was optioned to Triple-A over the weekend.

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