Ezequiel Tovar’s three-run homer lifts Rockies over Giants, snaps losing skids

SAN FRANCISCO — Rookie shortstop Ezequiel Tovar is fast becoming the story of the season for the Rockies.

The 21-year-old rocketed a three-run homer off Tyler Rogers in the seventh inning Friday night, lifting the Rockies to a 5-2 victory over the Giants at Oracle Park.

Tovar’s ninth homer of the season — he’s now tied with All-Star catcher Elias Diaz for the second-most on the team — helped the Rockies snap their 10-game road losing streak. Also put to rest was an 11-game losing streak to San Francisco.

Colorado received a third consecutive strong start from left-hander Austin Gomber. He pitched six innings, giving up two runs on five hits, walking none and striking out one.

Gomber wobbled but didn’t crumble in the sixth, thanks to rookie center fielder Brenton Doyle and his cannon of a right arm.

Giants second baseman Casey Schmitt led off the inning with a sharp single to right, then celebrated when Brandon Crawford, the longtime Rockies’ nemesis, rocketed a two-run homer over the right field wall to tie the game, 2-2. The homer was Crawford’s 28th against Colorado, by far his most vs. any team. Arizona, with 15, is a distant second.

Gomber, in complete control for his first five innings, suddenly lost command. He plunked Austin Slater and gave up a single to Wilmer Flores. Gomber induced a force-out grounder by Lamont Wade Jr. before J.D. Davis lofted a would-be sacrifice fly to Doyle in center. But Doyle loaded up and threw a strike to catcher Diaz, who easily tagged out Slater at the plate to end the inning.

The Rockies worked hard for their two runs off right-hander Ross Stripling in the first inning. Kris Bryant’s seven-pitch at-bat was rewarded with a single up the middle. Ryan McMahon followed up with a 10-pitch at-bat that resulted in a two-run homer to left-center. McMahon’s team-leading 14th homer came on Stripling’s 93 mph sinker.

Right-hander Daniel Bard, getting his first save opportunity of the season, pitched a one-two-three ninth inning, getting a big assist from second baseman Harold Castro who made a terrific catch on Flores’ blooper into shallow center for the first out of the inning.

Saturday’s pitching matchup

Rockies RHP Connor Seabold (1-5, 6.62 ERA) at Giants TBA

2:05 p.m. Saturday, Oracle Park

TV: AT&T SportsNet

Radio: 850 AM/94.1 FM

Seabold is searching for consistent command within the strike zone. That’s been sorely lacking of late and it’s reflected in his statistics. The right-hander has lost three consecutive games and got mauled by the Tigers on Sunday at Coors Field. He allowed eight runs on seven hits — including three home runs — over five innings. Seabold is 0-3 with a 14.54 ERA over his last three starts with eight home runs given up. The Giants, who have not announced their Saturday starter, are likely to utilize a bullpen game. Right-hander Ryan Walker has been pegged as the likely opener.

Pitching probables

Sunday: Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (4-9, 4.93) at Giants RHP Logan Webb (7-7, 3.38), 2:05 p.m., ATTRM

Monday-Thursday: All-Star break