Rockies squander early lead, lose to Giants 6-4

San Fransisco– Chad Bettis took the mound Friday night against 2013 World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner.

Entering the night, the Giants and the Rockies were tied for the division lead, half a game ahead of the Dodgers. While it is still early in the season, the Rockies have gotten off to a solid start, and with the way the NL West looks this year, the division may be ripe for the taking.

The Rockies got to Mad Bum early, scoring four runs (three earned) in the top of the second inning, but the superstar pitcher quickly settled down, pitching into the eighth inning and striking out 10.

Brandon Crawford went deep in the third inning. His three-run blast cut the Rockies lead to one.

The Giants took the lead in the fifth, and never relinquished it, winning 6-4.

Chad Bettis took the loss, allowing 5 runs on 8 hits while striking out 4 in 6 innings of work. One of his more forgettable starts of the season.

A tough loss for the Rockies, who had an opportunity to take sole possession of first place in the NL West had they held on to the early lead.

Turning Point

Danny Duffy’s triple in the bottom of the 5th tied the game at four. Later in the inning, a single by Hunter Pence gave the Giants the lead, and they never looked back.

Lasting Impact

The Rockies appeared to have Bumgarner’s number in the early innings, but as usual, he came out victorious against the Blake Street Bombers.

The Rockies received most of their offense from the bottom half of the lineup. Unfortunately, the top half failed to provide the usual run support.

Chad Bettis became the first Rockies pitcher in the last two years not named Jorge De La Rosa to pitch six consecutive starts with at least six innings in each.

Hunter Pence returned to the lineup in a big way Friday, going 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored after missing Thursdays game with back tightness.

What’s Next

Game 3 against the Giants is set for 2:05 MST start time. Jon Gray goes for his first win against Johnny Cueto in what looks to be another solid pitching matchup.