Giants hold off Colorado’s rally, win 8-4
Despite blowing the lead late, S.F. wins it in extras
DENVER – When Alex Dickerson’s back tightened up and forced him to miss a pair of games in Milwaukee over the weekend, the left fielder explained he’s dealt with the pain off and on throughout his entire professional career.
If Dickerson wakes up feeling out of sorts on Wednesday, the back soreness he’ll experience might feel a little different.
No one would blame Dickerson if his back was ailing from carrying the Giants.
With a career-high four hits including the go-ahead single off Wade Davis in the top of the 10th inning, Dickerson propelled the Giants to a 8-4 victory that moved them out of last place in the National League West for the first time since May 19.
Armed with a 4-1 lead entering the ninth inning, the cellar door was swung wide open and all the Giants needed was a Will Smith save to move into a tie for third place with the Rockies. The typically dominant Smith collapsed for the second time in three save chances, allowing a solo home run to shortstop Trevor Story and a game-tying two run blast to Rockies center fielder Ian Desmond.
The Rockies’ comeback effort didn’t faze the Giants as they rallied for four runs in the 10th as Dickerson, shortstop Brandon Crawford and right fielder Mike Yastrzemski all delivered RBI hits.
In a sign of the apocalypse that revealed that this Giants run might be something special, the team scored its fourth run of the inning when Kevin Pillar sent a ball through the legs of Gold Glove third baseman Nolan Arenado.
After spending nearly two months in the NL West basement, the Giants (46-49) climbed up the stairs and are now staring the Rockies directly in the eye as they’re back in third place for the first time since April 13.
Both clubs spending the week at Coors Field are now looking down on the last-place San Diego Padres.