Belt homers twice, Giants top Rockies to boost NL West lead

DENVER (AP) — Brandon Belt went deep twice as San Francisco set a franchise record for homers in a season, and the Giants beat the Colorado Rockies 7-2 on Saturday night to extend their lead in the NL West.

Belt hit a solo homer in the first inning and a three-run shot in the fifth off Jon Gray. It was the eighth multi-homer game of Belt’s career.

His second drive to right field was the team’s 236th homer of the season, surpassing the 235 hit by the 2001 club. That squad featured Barry Bonds’ major league-record 73 homers.

San Francisco stretched its division lead to two games over the Los Angeles Dodgers, who lost in Arizona. Both teams have seven games remaining.

Anthony DeSclafani was lifted for a pinch-hitter after going four innings and allowing two runs. His pitch count was at 77 when he was removed. DeSclafani has gone over the 90-pitch plateau once since early July.

The Giants used six relievers, with Tony Watson (7-4) earning the win.

Down 7-2, Colorado made things interesting in the ninth with three straight singles. But Dominic Leone wiggled out of the jam, getting C.J. Cron to ground out and end the game.

Gray (8-12) was pulled soon after giving up Belt’s second homer. The right-hander went 4 2/3 innings and allowed four runs. He walked off the mound to a smattering of applause in what could be his final start at Coors Field with Colorado. Gray is set to become a free agent after the season.

The first pitch was pushed back about 25 minutes as the Rockies bestowed praise and gifts upon newly inducted Hall of Famer Larry Walker in an on-field celebration. The team retired his No. 33, with a plaque going up on the mezzanine level. It's right next to that of Todd Helton (No. 17).

Walker threw out the first pitch, too — a strike to his father, followed by a...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Belt-homers-twice-Giants-top-Rockies-to-boost-NL-16488157.php