Rockies 6, Giants 1
DENVER -- Juan Nicasio held the San Francisco Giants scoreless for six innings, and the Colorado Rockies pounded Barry Zito while beginning a 10-game homestand with a 6-1 win Monday.
Nicasio tied his season high with nine strikeouts, one short of his career high set in 2011, and he drove in a run with a single in the two-run fourth that finished Zito.
The Rockies right-hander allowed four hits and two walks.
Wilton Lopez struck out three in two scoreless innings, and Jeff Francis allowed a run in the ninth as the Giants avoided the shutout.
Zito lasted four innings and gave up nine hits and five runs in his second start since returning to the rotation to replace injured right-hander Chad Gaudin. The veteran lefty, whose seven-year, $126 million contract with the Giants will end after this season, has lost seven straight decisions, the third-longest losing streak of his career.
Zito allowed home runs by Todd Helton and Charlie Blackmon. He has given up 14 home runs in his past 13 outings. In his past five starts dating from July 14, Zito is 0-4 with an 11.21 ERA.
Helton hit a two-run homer in the second, his ninth of the season, to open the scoring. It was his ninth homer of the season.
Blackmon, who entered the game in the second when Dexter Fowler left with a bruised knee, led off the third with his fourth homer.
Nicasio singled home a run with the bases loaded and one out in the fourth when center fielder Gregor Blanco charged but could not hold his short fly. Had the ball been caught, it likely would have been an inning-ending double play.
The Rockies added another run to make it 5-0 when Blackmon hit a potential double-play grounder that second baseman Marco Scutaro dropped, giving Blackmon enough time to beat shortstop Brandon Crawford's throw to first.
Nolan Arenado led the Rockies with three hits, and DJ LeMahieu had two hits.
NOTES: Colorado SS Troy Tulowitzki was not in the lineup for the second straight game due to soreness in his left side. He expects to play Tuesday. ... Rockies manager Walt Weiss said C Yorvit Torrealba could be activated Tuesday, one day after he was eligible to come off the seven-day concussion disabled list. ... Rockies RHP Tyler Chatwood (right elbow inflammation) is scheduled to throw 70 pitches Tuesday in a rehab start for Triple-A Colorado Springs, Barring a setback, Chatwood could rejoin the rotation Sunday and start against the Cincinnati Reds. ... San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said C Buster Posey probably would get a day off Tuesday. Posey started his eighth consecutive game Monday. ... Giants INF Tony Abreu (left knee bursitis) joined Triple-A Fresno and was scheduled to play five innings Monday. ... LHP Jeremy Affeldt (left groin strain) threw his second bullpen session Monday at the Giants' facility in Scottsdale, Ariz. ... San Francisco OF Andres Torres (left heel strain) traveled to Charlotte, N.C., to see Dr. Robert Anderson, the Carolina Panthers' orthopedist and a foot specialist, on Tuesday.
