Justin Morneau returns to lineup as Rockies look to stay hot against Heston, Giants

After missing the better part of four months with head and neck injuries, Rockies first baseman Justin Morneau returns to the lineup tonight as Colorado searches for its third straight win.

The 2014 NL batting champion has played in just 27 games this season, hitting .290/.317/.450 with three home runs in 100 at bats. He returns to the Rockies lineup tonight, batting fifth.

Ben Paulsen, who played 63 games at first base in Morneau's absence, will get his 10th start of the season in left field and bat seventh behind second baseman DJ LeMahieu. Aside from the moves to accommodate Morneau's return, Walt Weiss has sent his regular starters out tonight against Giants starter Chris Heston.

Tonight will be Heston's third career start at Coors Field, a place where he has struggled. He gave up six runs in each of his first to starts at Coors, failing to make it through six innings both times. Rockies center fielder Charlie Blackmon has had particular success against Heston, hitting a home run in each of the two games he has faced the Giants' righty at Coors Field.

San Francisco also has a key player returning to the lineup tonight. Shortstop Brandon Crawford has started just one of the Giants' last 10 games, but is in the lineup tonight batting sixth. However, left fielder Nori Aoki is still out for the Giants, with Juan Perez playing in his stead and batting eighth.

First pitch at Coors Field is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. Mountain time.