Rockies 1, Giants 0: Brett Anderson, 5 relievers combine to shutout San Francisco

Troy Tulowitzki's third inning sacrifice fly provided all the offense the Rockies would need as they recorded just the 18th 1-0 win in franchise history over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday.

Colorado played small ball to secure the only run of the game; Charlie Blackmon walked and Brandon Barnes singled to open the third against Matt Cain and, after a Carlos Gonzalez strikeout, executed a double steal putting Blackmon in position to score on Tulowitzki's fly out to right.

Cain did pitch well for the Giants, allowing just the lone run on four hits in seven innings while striking out eight, but was outdone by the Rockies' staff.

Brett Anderson was on cruise control for the Rockies early, having allowed only one hit through the first three innings while striking out two on just 41 pitches. However, he injured his thumb on a swing in the top of the fourth and had to be removed from the game, forcing the Rockies to bring in Tommy Kahnle.

Kahnle struggled initially, beginning his outing by allowing a double to Pablo Sandoval and walking Buster Posey, but got Michael Morse to ground into a double play and struck out Hector Sanchez to get himself out of the jam. Kahnle remained in the game for the fifth, getting a 1-2-3 inning and earning the win.

Kahnle's two scoreless innings were followed by two more from Matt Belisle and Adam Ottavino, who retired the side in order in the sixth and seventh, respectively.

The Giants again threatened in the eighth against Rex Brothers, as Brandon Crawford doubled on a ball that was lost in the sun by Gonzalez. Brandon Hicks and Hunter Pence then walked to load the bases with two outs and Pablo Sandoval coming to the plate. On a 2-2 pitch, Brothers got Sandoval to chase a slider in the dirt which was blocked well by Wilin Rosario to end the threat.

LaTroy Hawkins retired the Giants in order in the ninth to earn his second save of the season.

Colorado got the win despite having just four hits in the game, a pair of singles from Blackmon, Barnes' base hit in the third and a Nolan Arenado double. They will look to increase that offensive output in the series finale tomorrow against Tim Hudson.

Source: FanGraphs

Roll Call Info
Total comments	1,401
Total commenters	40
Commenter list	BubbaFan, Chacinisthefuture, Chrysicat, Colin Neilson, Colsportsfan, DomP, Drew Creasman, ES46NE10, Greg Stanwood, Jordan Freemyer, Junction Rox, Kevin V. Minor, Nephelimdream, NoDo Joe, Northsider1964, PurpleToPurple, RhodeIslandRoxfan, RockedUp, Rockies7935, RockyMountainWay91, Roxman4ever, SDcat09, The jDub, WanderingRoxFan, Yokel, bearpigman, butterfly2, chickenfoof, chucknazty4eva, colonel tigh, coloradoLUV, dyzz, evers44, goldenInGolden, holly96, idj2, papality, rockiesfan4ever, sploo, vtmn_D
Story URLs	http://www.purplerow.com/2014/4/12/5608360/rockies-game-12-thread-anderson-vs-cain http://www.purplerow.com/2014/4/12/5608770/game-12-overflow