Giants at Rockies
Brandon Crawford enjoyed a big day during a doubleheader sweep and aims for another productive performance when the San Francisco Giants visit the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday. Crawford homered twice and became the first shortstop in major-league history with five hits and eight RBIs in a single game in Monday's opener and added a solo blast in the nightcap.
Crawford joined Willie Mays and Orlando Cepeda - both in 1961 - as the only Giants to drive in eight runs in a game since the franchise moved from New York for the 1958 season. "I never expect a five-hit game to come along, but yeah, I have been feeling a lot better at the plate," Crawford told reporters after the Game 1 effort. "... I've been seeing the ball well. You expect to get hits when that happens." Monday's 19-2 and 2-1 victories give San Francisco 10 wins in 12 games while the Rockies have lost nine of 11. Colorado recorded only 11 hits in the doubleheader, with Charlie Blackmon (0-for-7), Trevor Story (0-for-5) and Nolan Arenado (1-for-6) all struggling.
TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco), AT&T SportsNet-Rocky Mountain (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Drew Pomeranz (2-9, 6.42 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Peter Lambert (2-1, 6.67)
Pomeranz has lost his last three decisions and worked more than five innings in just one of his 16 starts. The 30-year-old registered a season-best 11 strikeouts against the Rockies on June 24 but suffered the loss despite allowing just two runs and five hits. Pomeranz is 2-1 with a 2.25 ERA in six career appearances (four starts) against Colorado and has shut down Blackmon (1-for-8, four strikeouts).
Lambert is winless in his last four outings after recording victories in each of his first two major-league starts. The 22-year-old gave up two runs and seven hits over 12 innings in his initial two outings but has surrendered 20 and 30 over 17 2/3 frames in his last four turns. Lambert has served up nine homers, including six in his last two starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. Giants 3B Evan Longoria (plantar fasciitis) was placed on the 10-day injured list, with no immediate timetable for his return.
2. Colorado CF Ian Desmond struck out in all four at-bats of the series opener and didn't play in Game 2 of the doubleheader.
3. San Francisco's 19 runs in Game 1 on Monday was its highest total since also scoring 19 in a win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sept. 14, 2013.