San Francisco – Saturday was doggie night at AT&T Park. And with the game on the line, the biggest, baddest dog in the park was Clint Barmes.
The shortstop’s game-winning single in the top of the 11th wasn’t nearly as dramatic as his walk-off homer in the Rockies’ 2005 season opener at Coors Field.
But it was more important.
His liner to right off Giants reliever Brad Hennessey drove in Choo Freeman from second and lifted the Rockies to a 2-1 victory. It was one of only six hits by the Rockies, but it was enough to keep them from losing ground in the wild, wild National League West.
“I was just trying to get the run in, because this was a game that was important to our race,” Barmes said. “I just put a good swing on a pitch I thought I could hit. And at that point, all we were trying to do was get a run.”
Thanks to Barmes, lights-out pitching from Jason Jennings and his relievers, and the accurate right arm of catcher Yorvit Torrealba, the Rockies own a three-game win streak for the first time since a four-game sweep in Washington in June. They remain 2 1/2 games behind first-place San Diego in the NL West.
“We played like grown men tonight,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “We pitched outstanding. And (Giants starter) Noah Lowry was outstanding, too. Really outstanding. But we just kept battling and found a way to plate one more run than they did.”
After hitting a three-run homer Friday, Torrealba, a former Giant, gunned down Omar Vizquel in the bottom of the 11th when Vizquel tried to steal second. When closer Brian Fuentes struck out Eliezer Alfonzo to end the game, Torre- alba pumped his clenched fist with fury.
“I always show emotion back there, but there’s no question this was a big win for us,” Torrealba said.
Jeremy Affeldt, the Rockies’ newly acquired left-hander reliever, pitched the ninth and 10th and earned the win. The only Giant to reach base against him was Todd Linden, who reached first on an error by Barmes. Flashing a wicked curveball, as well as a fastball clocked at 96 mph, Affeldt was untouchable.
“Sometimes I can reach back for a little extra,” he said. “But tonight I was just thinking about getting a win for us.”
Mixing his slider and sinker, Jennings gave up one run in seven innings, allowing five hits, striking out six and walking none. It was the fourth time in his past six starts that he allowed just one run.
Lowry stayed around for nine innings, allowing one run on four hits, striking out six and walking two.
“It’s not only Noah that lost this game, it’s the team that lost this game,” Giants manager Felipe Alou said. “But it is tough to waste a performance like that.”
While the Rockies have won seven of nine, the Giants have lost 11 of their past 12 and are sinking deeper into the NL West basement. The Rockies go for the series sweep today, something they never have accomplished in San Francisco.
Staff writer Patrick Saunderscan be reached at 303-820-5459 or psaunders@denverpost.com.
