Williamson Homers In Return, Giants Beat Rockies 14-4
DENVER (AP) — Mac Williamson wasted no time after being promoted from Triple-A Sacramento, homering and driving in four runs to help the San Francisco Giants beat the Colorado Rockies 14-4 on Tuesday night.
It was just the Giants' third win in the team's last 21 games at Coors Field.
Evan Longoria and Kevin Pillar also homered in support of Madison Bumgarner (2-4), who went six innings and allowed three runs on eight hits. He had eight strikeouts. Steven Duggar and Brandon Crawford each had two-run singles, pinch-hitter Tyler Austin added a two-run triple and Joe Panik had three hits, including an RBI single.
Charlie Blackmon homered to lead off Colorado's first inning. Chris Iannetta also homered for Colorado, Ian Desmond tripled twice, driving in a run and Raimel Tapia had three hits and an RBI.
Williamson's return to the Giants culminated an arduous, year-long comeback that included being designated for assignment by the Giants after a disappointing showing in spring training. He had begun last season as the Giants' left fielder but in late April tripped over a bullpen mound while going for a foul ball and crashed head first into the padded railing. Lingering concussion symptoms forced him to miss much of the rest of the season.
"Last year was extremely frustrating on multiple levels," Williamson said in the clubhouse before the game. "It is definitely gratifying that I was able to get it somewhat back together. I'm feeling good."
After clearing waivers, Williamson accepted the Giants' assignment to Sacramento, where he quickly regained the team's attention by turning his fortunes around, batting .378 with nine homers, including three on Monday night. One of them traveled 511 feet.
He hit a 371-foot drive that was no less impressive in the Giants' five-run fourth. He got hold of a 1-1 offering from Antonio Senzatela and drove it over the left field wall for a three-run homer. Crawford singled ahead of Pillar's home run, and the Giants took a 6-1 lead.
Williamson also made a running catch at the wall of a line drive off the bat of Nolan Arenado in the Colorado eighth and starting a relay that shortstop Crawford finished with a throw to the plate that got Tapia trying for home.
Williamson added an RBI single in the fifth.
Senzatela (2-2) allowed seven runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. It was Senzatela's first loss to the Giants as a starter. In six previous starts against the Giants, he had gone 5-0 with 3.16 ERA.
ROSTER SHAKEUP
In addition to selecting Williamson's contract from Triple A Sacramento, the Giants also purchased the contract of INF Donovan Solano and recalled LHP Williams Jerez from the River Cats. Following Monday night's loss at Cincinnati, the Giants optioned OF Mike Gerber and switch-pitcher Pat Venditte to Sacramento. Earlier Tuesday, veteran OF was outrighted to Sacramento but opted to become a free agent. INF Yangervis Solarte was designated for assignment.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rockies: LHP Chris Rusin, who began the season on the 10-day injured list with a mid-back strain, has begun a rehab assignment with the team's Triple A affiliate in Albuquerque. He pitched a scoreless inning for the Isotopes Monday night.
ON THE FARM
Catcher Drew Butera, designated for assignment by the Rockies last Friday, has cleared waivers and accepted assignment to the team's Triple A team in Albuquerque.
UP NEXT
Giants: LHP Derek Holland (1-4, 5.34 ERA) is slated to be reinstated from the 10-day injured list to start the middle game of the series. He has recovered from a bone bruise on his left index finger which he sustained practicing bunting.
Rockies: RHP Jon Gray (3-3, 4.22 ERA) is seeking his first career win against the Giants. In seven previous starts against San Francisco, he is 0-3 with 5.18 ERA.
