Rockies 2, Giants 1
DENVER -- Michael Cuddyer extended his franchise-record hitting streak to 26 games with an RBI single in the first inning and Nolan Arenado singled home a run with two outs in the ninth to give the Colorado Rockies a 2-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday.
Todd Helton started the ninth for the Rockies with a two-out walk against Jeremy Affeldt. Josh Rutledge pinch ran for Helton and stole second. Arenado followed with the hit that sent the Giants to their sixth straight loss.
San Francisco's skid is the longest since the Giants lost seven traight from June 26 July 2, 2010.
The Giants have scored 18 runs in their past nine games and have dropped eight of their past nine and 11 of their past 14. They wasted a terrific start by Matt Cain, who retired the final 20 batters he faced and held the Rockies to three hits and the first-inning run in eight innings.
The Giants had a runner on third with one out in the first, but Buster Posey struck out and Hunter Pence popped out. When the Rockies scored in the bottom of the inning, it was the eighth straight game in which the Giants' opponent has scored first.
Cuddyer rolled a single up the middle to score Corey Dickerson, who led off the Rockies' first with a double and was sacrificed to third.
Cuddyer's hitting streak is the longest in the majors since Jose Reyes of the Miami Marlins had a 26-game hitting streak last season from July 13 to Aug. 8.
Jorge De La Rosa held the Giants to three singles through five scoreless innings before they broke through with two out in the sixth. Marco Scutaro was safe on an infield single, beating the throw of shortstop Jonathan Herrera, who fielded his high bouncer in the hole. Posey followed with a run-scoring double to left-center field.
Rafael Betancourt, who came off the disabled list on Friday and made his first appearance since May 31, retired the side in order in the ninth and was the winning pitcher.
NOTES: Giants RHP Santiago Casilla will start Sunday for high-Class A San Jose and throw one inning or 20 pitches on a rehab assignment. The right-handed reliever has been on the 15-day disabled list since May 21 after undergoing surgery to remove a bone cyst from his right knee and could be activated next weekend. ... Giants RHP Chad Gaudin (right elbow contusion) was scheduled to throw a bullpen session Saturday. He is eligible to come off the disabled list on July 6 and is expected to do so, barring a setback. ... Posey made his seventh start at first base. He has started 63 games at catcher and two as the designated hitter. With his single in the fourth, Posey has reached base in the past 47 games he has started against the Rockies. ... Rockies CF Dexter Fowler was not in the lineup for the fourth straight game because of right wrist soreness. With an off day Monday, the Rockies want to make a decision by Tuesday whether to put Fowler on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 25. ... Rockies RHP Edgmer Escalona (right elbow inflammation) threw 25 pitches, 20 for strikes, in 1 1/3 scoreless innings on Friday night for Triple-A Colorado Springs on what could be just a one-game rehab assignment before he is activated. He has been on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 10. ... SS Troy Tulowitzki (right rib fracture) took 10 dry swings -- no ball, no tee -- and felt some pressure in the ribs. He fielded grounders that were rolled to him on Friday and hit to him on Saturday and threw hard, albeit with some soreness. After his next MRI, a determination will be made when Tulowitzki, who fractured the rib on June 13 and is expected to miss four to six weeks, can do more swinging.
