SAN FRANCISCO – Colorado third baseman Nolan Arenado made a sensational falling catch over the tarp in foul territory, Corey Dickerson had an RBI-single among his three hits, and the Rockies established their best road start in franchise history with a 4-1 win against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night.
A sprinting Arenado crashed into the tarp and went over the rail along the left-field line while catching a popup by Gregor Blanco in the eighth. He immediately made the throw from his knees while still on the tarp, then toppled to the dirt. Center fielder Charlie Blackmon followed with his own gem when he chased down a deep fly at the fence to rob pinch-hitter Buster Posey to end the inning.
Scott Oberg (1-0) pitched the fifth for the win in his major league debut, as the Rockies moved to 5-0 on the road to start a season for the first time. They sent the reigning World Series champions to a fifth consecutive defeat.
San Francisco ended an 18-inning scoreless streak on Matt Duffy's eighth-inning sacrifice fly. The Giants, who lost their AT&T Park opener 2-0 on Monday, avoided being shut out in consecutive home games to start the season for the first time in San Francisco history.
LaTroy Hawkins pitched a perfect sixth a day after Rockies' manager Walt Weiss moved him out of the closer job, for now. Hawkins surrendered a two-run homer to the Cubs' Dexter Fowler in a 6-5 loss Sunday to Chicago.
Adam Ottavino finished for his first save this year and second of his career. The Giants have stranded 21 baserunners in the first two games of the series.
Tim Hudson made his home debut but didn't get a single run of support for the second start in a row. The right-hander is planning to retire after this season, his 17th in the majors. Hudson (0-1) dropped to 5-3 against Colorado and didn't have a decision in four 2014 starts against the Rockies.
Posey had most of the day off after starting the first eight games – two of those at first – and he likely is to play first base Wednesday night with backup Hector Sanchez behind the plate for a second consecutive day.
Christian Bergman allowed four hits and no runs in four shutout innings but was done after 85 pitches, as manager Walt Weiss was cautious with him. Bergman struck out four and walked two. The right-hander earned a win in relief Friday against the Cubs in Colorado's home opener at Coors Field. He is winless in five career road starts.
San Francisco's Nori Aoki extended his career-best hitting streak dating to last season to 17 games with a fifth-inning single.
World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner was honored for his special October in a pregame ceremony that included the presentation of his Silver Slugger award and The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year award. Posey also received his Silver Slugger plaque.
Rockies pitcher Jorge De La Rosa, on the disabled list with a strained left groin, struck out five in his second rehab game for Triple-A Albuquerque at home against Tacoma.
