The San Francisco Giants suffered a 7-6 defeat against the Colorado Rockies on Sunday, losing the series finale after a late-inning rally by the home team. The loss marked the Giants' second consecutive series loss and their second series defeat against the Rockies this season, who are one of two National League teams below them in the standings.
Kyle Karros hit a three-run home run in the eighth inning, erasing a two-run Giants lead and ultimately sealing the win for Colorado. The blast, which traveled 471 feet, was the first time the Rockies scored against the Giants' bullpen over the final two games of the series. The go-ahead hit came against Giants reliever Dylan Smith, the seventh pitcher summoned by manager Tony Vitello over the previous two days.
Smith had begun the inning by striking out the Rockies' Hunter Goodman and then got two strikes on the next batter, T.J. Rumfield. However, Rumfield managed a double down the left field line. Smith then hit Troy Johnston with a pitch before surrendering the decisive home run to Karros.
Prior to Smith's appearance, the Giants' bullpen had limited the Rockies to just one run across seven innings in the preceding two games.
Earlier in the game, the Giants' offense was led by a strong showing from Rafael Devers, who hit two home runs, including the second-longest of his career, bringing his season total to 18. Casey Schmitt also contributed with his 17th home run of the season, and Drew Gilbert matched a career high with four hits, narrowly missing the cycle.
Devers and Schmitt became the first pair of Giants teammates to each have at least 17 home runs within their first 90 games since Barry Bonds and Jeff Kent in 2000. Gilbert's performance included his fourth hit of the day, a home run hit into the bullpens beyond right field, which he said was a statement after being benched in the previous game.
The Giants' starting pitcher, Tyler Mahle, struggled to complete five innings for the second consecutive start, allowing four runs on eight hits. He was also responsible for an unearned run after an errant pickoff attempt at first base in the first inning. Mahle's outing contributed to the Giants losing for the 10th time in his 14 starts this season. His season ERA now stands at 5.70.
Gilbert has shown a particular affinity for hitting at Coors Field. In 12 career games against the Rockies, he is batting .480 with seven extra-base hits, including four of his seven career home runs, resulting in a 1.656 OPS. This contrasts sharply with his performance against all other teams, where he has a .197 batting average and a .513 OPS.
The Giants are set to return home to begin a 13-game stretch before the All-Star break. They will host the Toronto Blue Jays for a three-game series starting Monday. Landen Roupp is scheduled to start for San Francisco in the series opener.