05/18/24 07:18:00
Printable Page
05/18 19:16 CDT Luis Matos hits a 3-run homer and Matt Chapman has 4 hits in
Giants' 14-4 win over Rockies
Luis Matos hits a 3-run homer and Matt Chapman has 4 hits in Giants' 14-4 win
over Rockies
By ERIC HE
Associated Press
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) --- Luis Matos hit a three-run homer and had a career-high
six RBIs to continue his hot streak, Matt Chapman went 4 for 4 and scored three
runs and the San Francisco Giants used 18 hits to rout the Colorado Rockies on
Saturday.
The Giants have won three straight for the first time this season. They were
the last team in the majors without a win streak of three or more games.
"We're swinging the bat really well and I think the vibe in the dugout is
probably as good as it's been," manager Bob Melvin said.
Matos, who drove in five runs Friday night, has RBIs in his last six games and
set a franchise record with 17 RBIs in his first six games of the season with a
plate appearance. With Jung Hoo Lee out for the season, the 22-year-old Matos
figures to keep seeing playing time in center field. He also took away a
potential extra-base hit from Ezequiel Tovar with a leaping grab in the fifth.
Matos was hitting just .218 in 31 games with Triple-A Sacramento before being
called up for the second time this season last week. He said he's proud of
having success in the majors. He's seeing the ball really well and trusting
himself more both at the plate and in the field.
"I'm not the one in the stressful situation," Matos said through interpreter
Erwin Higueros of RBI chances. "The pitcher is the one that's trying to get me
out. So I have the upper hand."
Matos put the Giants ahead with a three-run homer in the first inning, hit an
RBI double in his second at-bat to give San Francisco a 6-3 lead and then
knocked in two more runs in the eighth with a bases-loaded single as part of a
six-run inning.
"I'm just trying to get on base for him," Chapman said. "I mean, he's been
doing unbelievable."
Colorado dropped the first two games in San Francisco after winning seven
straight. Tovar had two hits to extend his hitting streak to 11 games.
San Francisco has won each of the last seven starts by Kyle Harrison (4-1), who
allowed three runs in five innings.
The Giants knocked Rockies starter Ty Blach (1-2) out of the game after three
innings, tagging him for six runs. Blach, who was the Giants' opening day
starter in 2018, faced his former team for the sixth time. The Denver-born
33-year-old was drafted by the Giants in 2012 and has been back and forth
between the minors and big leagues with Colorado the last three seasons.
"He's just persistent," Rockies manager Bud Black said before the game of
Blach's journey. "He loves to play, loves to compete. He's got a great way
about him. He's a persistent major league player."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rockies: C Elias Daz (left hand soreness) remains out of the lineup, but is
expected to return as soon as swelling goes away. ... Daz's backup, Jacob
Stallings, was sore but available Saturday after being hit by a pitch on the
right forearm. Utility player Hunter Goodman made his first career start behind
the plate. ... OF Nolan Jones and INF/OF Kris Bryant, who both have strained
lower backs, each went 1 for 4 on Friday with Triple-A Albuquerque. They will
make two more rehab starts before the Rockies determine whether to bring them
up.
Giants: Reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell (left adductor strain) is
expected to return to the rotation next week, likely Wednesday after pitching
well in two rehab starts. ... Another starter, Alex Cobb, is still dealing with
a shoulder injury and has not pitched this season so far after undergoing
offseason hip surgery. ... With Lee going on the 60-day injured list, the
Giants claimed OF Ryan McKenna off waivers from Baltimore.
UP NEXT
RHP Jordan Hicks (3-1, 2.44 ERA) pitches for the Giants against RHP Dakota
Hudson (1-6, 6.13 ERA) for the Rockies in the final game of the three-game set.
--
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
|