SAN FRANCISCO -- The Colorado Rockies defeated the San Francisco Giants 2-0 in the Giants' home opener at AT&T Park on Monday afternoon.
How it happened: The Giants' bats went to sleep at the most inopportune moments as they went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and stranded 12 runners on the day. In fact, the Giants left eight runners on base through their first three innings, leaving the bases loaded in the first and second. The Rockies, meanwhile, took a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning, Troy Tulowitzki's one-out single to left driving in Charlie Blackmon, who had singled to lead off the inning. Colorado added its second run in the seventh when Nick Hundley scampered home on a Chris Heston wild pitch and knocked the ball out of Heston's glove on the tag following the flip from Buster Posey.
What it means: The Giants have lost four straight games to fall to 3-5, the first time they are two games under .500 since they finished the 2013 season 76-86 as defending World Series champs. And despite allowing just one earned run, Giants rookie pitcher Heston took the loss to fall to 1-1 after striking out five batters and walking two in seven innings. Rockies rookie Eddie Butler got the win, though, despite walking six and striking out one in 5 1/3 innings.
Outside the box: While the Giants' offense was MIA, the Rockies' bullpen had a little something to do with that development. Because while the Giants had Butler on the ropes early and often, Colorado's relievers faced 12 batters and gave up no hits, hit a batter and struck out five. And with closer LaTroy Hawkins being given a “breather” from the role after blowing two saves last week, Rafael Betancourt, who missed 2014 recovering from Tommy John surgery, picked up his first save since Aug. 20, 2013.
Off beat: Madison Bumgarner, the Giants' World Series MVP who ropes cattle in his spare time, rode a horse from the left-center field wall to the right-center field wall in a pregame ceremony. The occasion? To present San Francisco's third championship flag to members of the team who have been members of all three recent Giants title teams for its ceremonial raising above AT&T Park.
Up next: Right-hander Tim Hudson will make his second start of the season for the Giants after throwing 6 1/3 scoreless innings of a no-decision at the San Diego Padres on Thursday. He is 5-2 with a 4.32 earned-run average in 15 career starts against the Rockies, who will counter with righty Christian Bergman (1-0, 0.00). He will be making his first start of the season after getting the win in relief Friday against the Chicago Cubs. Bergman is 1-0 with a 3.75 ERA in two career starts against the Giants.