Say this about the 2009 Rockies, they are nothing if not consistent. Consistently maddening, that is.
A day after blasting the Giants and legendary lefty Randy Johnson 11-1, they were silenced 8-3 by the Giants and right-hander Matt Cain on Thursday afternoon at Coors Field.
This was a much sharper Cain than the pitcher the Rockies roughed up for five runs on seven hits in a 5-1 victory last Saturday in San Francisco.
Although Cain walked five in his six innings, he allowed just one hit — a harmless single to Todd Helton in the fourth — and struck out seven.
The Rockies’ runs came too late and were of little consequence. Brad Hawpe hit a solo homer off reliever Jeremy Affeldt in the seventh, and Ian Stewart smacked a two-run shot in the ninth.
The top of the order was a complete no-show for the Rockies. Leadoff hitter Dexter Fowler went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts, his average sinking to .259. Hitting second, Troy Tulowitzki went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. He also booted a ball in the ninth, contributing to the Giants” final run. With his average now at .198, his spring slump shows no signs of abating.
The Rockies took the field with confidence, knowing Jason Marquis was on the mound. He’s been the Rockies’ best pitcher and spun a gem last Saturday in San Francisco, besting Cain with a complete-game five-hitter.
But Marquis’ sinker was AWOL Thursday. The results weren’t pretty.
Giants” catcher Benji Molina turned into one-man ERA wrecker with two early home runs off Marquis. Molina led off the second with a loud solo shot to left, putting the Giants in front 1-0. His two-run homer to right field was the centerpiece of the Giants” four-run third inning. Molina entered the game 0-for-12 vs. Marquis.
Marquis compounded his off day by committing two errors. In the third, he threw the ball into the outfield, trying to force Cain out at third. Cain trotted home with the Giants” second run. In the seventh, Marquis bobbled a sacrifice bunt by Cain, then misfired to first base.
Patrick Saunders: 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com
