SAN FRANCISCO -- Charlie Blackmon had a two-run double in the second inning for his first career 200-hit season, but the contending ColoradoRockiescouldn't hold the early lead and lost 4-3 to the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night.
The Rockies' lead over the Brewers for the second NL wild card dropped to a game after Milwaukee won at Pittsburgh.
Hunter Pence hit a game-ending sacrifice fly with Colorado playing a five-man infield, with Carlos Gonzalez making an incredible diving catch. Pence followed up his two-run homer in the fifth as San Francisco grabbed the opener of a short two-game series between the NL West opponents.
Pablo Sandoval singled leading off the ninth against Chris Rusin (5-1) and Orlando Calixte entered to pinch run. Ryder Jones followed with a bunt single and Kelby Tomlinson singled to load the bases for Pence.
Gerardo Parra hit a tying double in the eighth for Colorado, which missed a chance in the ninth.
Pinch-hitter Mark Reynolds hit a two-out infield single in the ninth off Sam Dyson (3-2), then pinch-runner Mike Tauchman stole second. Blackmon was intentionally walked and DJ LeMahieu grounded out.
Buster Posey hit a one-out double in the eighth off Pat Neshek before second baseman LeMahieu made a beautiful diving stop of Brandon Crawford's hard grounder and a tough throw to first for the out. Jarrett Parker flied out.
Blackmon became the eighth Rockie with a 200-hit season, which has been done nine times overall by the franchise -- twice by Todd Helton.
Johnny Cueto struck out six and walked four over 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs and seven hits.
Colorado put the tying run on third in the eighth after Carlos Gonzalez's one-out double, then Hunter Strickland surrendered Parra's double on the ninth pitch of the at-bat.
Colorado starter German Marquez's winless stretch reached six starts -- he's 0-3 during that span -- since he beat Milwaukee on Aug. 18.
UP NEXT
RHP Tyler Chatwood (8-12, 4.57 ERA) pitches for the Rockies looking to improve on his 2-0 mark with a 2.25 ERA this season facing the Giants, and will pitch opposite Matt Moore (5-14, 5.39) as the lefty tries for his first win vs. Colorado after going 0-2 in three outings.
