Brandon Crawford three-run homer carries Giants to third-straight win

For the second game in a row, Brandon Crawford (1-3, HR, BB, 3 RBIs) came through with what would be the game-winning hit to put the San Francisco Giants over the top 4-3 against the Rockies Saturday afternoon.

A three-run Crawford home run to right field in the sixth gave the lead after a decent-enough performance from rookie Logan Webb (5 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 Ks) allowed the Giants to stay within striking distance.

Winners of two straight, the Giants (5-3) were looking to ride the high from their win in the home opener Friday. Webb toed the rubber Saturday, as the Giants looked to extend their winning streak to three games.

This story will be updated with quotes and post-game material from the Giants clubhouse at Oracle Park.

Webb faced off against Colorado Rockies righty Chi Chi Gonzalez (5 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 1 K).

Webb walked Garrett Hampson to begin the top of the first before Buster Posey threw him out attempting to steal second base. Both Webb and Gonzalez held their opponents scoreless in the first inning, Webb needing 21 pitches, and Gonzalez 28 as the Giants stranded a couple of runners with two outs.

The Rockies (3-6) collected two hits off Webb in the top of the second with one out. A ground ball to Longoria delivered an inning-ending double play, as Webb successfully escaped his second-consecutive jam.

In the bottom of the third, Tommy La Stella lined a double to the right-center field gap to lead off. Two batters later, Alex Dickerson dropped a very shallow base hit over the head of third baseman Josh Fuentes, scoring La Stella from second and giving the Giants a 1-0 lead.

After the game, Giants manager Gabe Kapler discussed La Stella’s at-bat, and what makes him such a threat at the top of the batting order:

“It makes you want to see a whole lot more of that. It’s such a controlled, competitive at-bat where he spoils pitches that are on the [edges of the strike zone] and hammers pitches that are in the zone. He’s kind of like [Donovan Solano] in that he knows where the sweet spot is, he’s got great barrel accuracy, but at the same time, he sees a ton of pitches, spoils a ton of pitches, and lays off pitches that others would offer at.”

Charlie Blackmon doubled off Webb in the top of the fourth inning. Two batters later, Raimel Tapia singled to center, scoring Blackmon from second and tying the game 1-1.

Webb ran into trouble again in the top of the fifth inning. A one-out single from Gonzalez was followed two batters later by a two-run Ryan McMahon home run and a 3-1 Rockies lead.

After a lengthy fifth, Webb finally retired the Rockies while running his pitch count up to 92 pitches. Webb’s day was finished after the Rockies tacked on two more runs.

Caleb Baragar (W, 2-0, 0.00 ERA) replaced Webb in the top of the sixth inning, holding the Rockies scoreless after Posey threw out his second runner of the game.

Kapler on Webb’s outing:

“I thought Logan did a fine job today. He continues to have lapses where he’s not able to find the zone for a short stretch. Additionally, i think he can be snake-bit at times, and i think more often than not, the performance that he threw out there today is going to lead to better outcomes for him. I wouldn’t say it was lights-out by any stretch, but it was a fine performance.”

Dickerson and Wilmer Flores both walked to begin the bottom of the sixth. Two batters later, Crawford made the Rockies pay for the second game in a row with his crowd-pleasing home run off left-handed reliever Ben Bowden (L, 0-2, 21.00 ERA).

After Saturday’s win, Crawford discussed his approach in big moments:

“I try not to treat that at-bat any differently than any of the other ones. Maybe that’s why it’s worked out for me a few times. My approach doesn’t really change a whole lot, just simplifying and trying to put a good swing on the ball.”

Two scoreless seventh and eighth innings from Reyes Moronta and Tyler Rogers out of the bullpen brought out closer Jake McGee for his fourth save attempt, and second in as many days.

A drama-free ninth inning, and the Rockies were set down in order. The Giants secured their first series victory at Oracle Park in 2021.

Up Next

After clinching a series victory against the Colorado Rockies Saturday afternoon, the Giants will look to complete the sweep of Colorado Sunday afternoon. Anthony DeSclafani (0-0, 1.80 ERA) will start against Rockies righty German Marquez (0-0, 3.60 ERA).

Notes

• Prior to Saturday’s game, Giants’ second baseman Donovan Solano received his Silver Slugger award for the 2020 season in which he hit an impressive .326 throughout 54 games.

Gabe Kapler had a lot of praise for Solano’s work ethic prior to the game.

“I think it’s going to mean a lot to Donovan, and i think it’s going to mean a lot to our hitting coaches and to Donovan’s teammates as well. He’s one of our harder workers, he’s always smiling, always accountable, doesn’t get bent out of shape on a day like today when he’s been one of our better hitters this season, he’s not in our lineup. That kind of accountability and the good energy he brings to the ballpark every day, coupled with the excellent performance makes him among one of our easier players to root for.”

Taylor Wirth is SFBay’s San Francisco Giants beat writer. Follow @SFBay and @WirthTM on Twitter and at SFBay.ca for full coverage of Giants baseball.