SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Ryan Vogelsong has heard the critical words all year: One-hit wonder. Fluke.

It fueled him every fifth day. It will fuel him for the next four months.

Vogelsong wrapped up his extraordinary, improbable comeback season with one final gem for the home Giants crowd.

The All-Star right-hander pitched seven shutout innings, Mike Fontenot hit a two-run triple and San Francisco beat the Colorado Rockies 3-1 on Monday night.

This winter, at last, Vogelsong will allow himself some time to reflect on his remarkable 2011 run — as he sits on his couch and watches reruns of “The Franchise.”

“I haven’t had much time to really think about it,” Vogelsong said. “Once I get home and melt down a little bit from the season, it’s going to be a lot of good thoughts and I’m probably going to realize how amazing it all is. It’s been fun, it really has. All I can hope for right now is that I keep it going, come back and do it again.”

Brett Pill had two hits and drove in a run and Pablo Sandoval added a pair of singles and his first career sacrifice bunt for the Giants, who ended a four-game losing streak with their fifth straight home win at soldout AT&T Park.

The switch-hitting Sandoval bunted left-handed because he couldn’t find his batting helmet to hit righty.

Mark Ellis — back in the Bay Area after being traded by the Oakland Athletics this summer — had two hits and drove in a run for the Rockies, who lost for the 10th time in 12 games and have dropped six in a row to the Giants. Seth Smith also had two hits.

Vogelsong (13-7) won his third consecutive start following a five-game losing streak and improved to 4-0 this year against Colorado. He allowed four hits, struck out four and didn’t walk a batter. He retired 17 of 18 during one stretch.

The journeyman Vogelsong became an unlikely All-Star and among the most reliable pitchers for the reigning World Series champions — at age 34.

“My years in baseball, it’s the best story of a guy who has persevered like he did to get another shot at pitching in the big leagues,” manager Bruce Bochy said.

A non-roster invitee to spring training on a minor league deal, Vogelsong emerged during Barry Zito’s first stint on the disabled list. Vogelsong toiled through three seasons in the Japanese League before Triple-A stints last year for the Phillies and Angels. In the Bay Area with the team that originally drafted him in the fifth round in 1998.

“I’ve got a lot of motivation to come back and do this again and not be the one-hit wonder,” Vogelsong said. “I’ve heard the things through the season — ‘it’s going to end’ and ‘he’s a fluke’ — and that stuff drove me all year and it’s going to drive me through the offseason.”

Jhoulys Chacin (11-14) took the loss despite a solid outing. He gave up the two runs on eight hits over seven innings. Chacin walked one and struck out three.

Ellis’ RBI single in the eighth ended Sergio Romo’s 21 2-3 scoreless inning streak, a span of 29 games.

Romo got through the eighth, Javier Lopez got an out and Santiago Casilla finished off the game for his sixth save in seven chances.

Vogelsong allowed three or fewer runs in 23 of his 28 starts this season and increased his lead among Giants pitchers with his 12th hit.

Chacin lost his fourth straight start after not receiving any run support for the second straight game and fourth this year.

“I finished the season strong and healthy,” Chacin said. “I’d like to get 200 innings next year if I’m healthy.”

Chacin (11-14) gave up two runs on eight hits over seven innings. He walked one and struck out three. Fontenot drilled a two-out, two-strike pitch from Chacin into the right-center field gap for a triple, driving in two runs in the third inning.

“It was a pitch I wanted to make but I guess I didn’t get it away enough for him to hit it that far,” Chacin said. “I was focusing on the glove and trying to hit the glove.”

Fontenot’s triple capped a two-out rally in the third after Vogelsong singled and Andres Torres walked ahead of him.

After stranding five runners in scoring position, Ellis’ two-out single in the eighth put the Rockies on the board.

Pill added a sacrifice fly in the eighth.

Bochy said closer Brian Wilson won’t pitch again this season in order to protect his troublesome elbow. Wilson didn’t seem happy about the decision after the game.

“I’m not going to talk about myself,” he said before making a quick exit.

NOTES: Vogelsong didn’t walk a batter for the first time since April 22 vs. Atlanta. … Rockies OF Carlos Gonzalez had his injured right wrist examined by 49er team doctor Tim McAdams, who confirmed a deep bone bruise and tendon inflammation. … Colorado hitting coach Carney Lansford said he will likely undergo right hip replacement surgery sometime in October. … RHP Alex White (3-3, 7.04) will start Tuesday’s game for the Rockies. He’s lost his last two starts, giving up 11 runs in 10 1-3 innings. The Rockies won each of his first four starts and six of his first seven. … LHP Madison Bumgarner (12-13, 3.32) pitches for the Giants on Tuesday. He had a five-game winning streak snapped in his last start. He’s 1-3 in six career starts against the Rockies, but with a 2.43 ERA. … Rachael Flatt, the 2010 women’s national figure skating champion, and San Jose Sharks’ players Torey Mitchell and Logan Couture were among those in attendance. … Rockies’ manager Jim Tracy said he doesn’t expect to use Huston Street the rest of the way as the pitcher nurses a groin injury. Street experienced discomfort after his last throwing session. … The Giants set an all-time attendance record with 3,303,060.

By JANIE McCAULEY, AP Baseball Writer

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

By JANIE McCAULEY
AP Baseball Writer

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Ryan Vogelsong has heard the critical words all year: One-hit wonder. Fluke.

It fueled him every fifth day. It will fuel him for the next four months.

Vogelsong wrapped up his extraordinary, improbable comeback season with one final gem for the home Giants crowd.

The All-Star right-hander pitched seven shutout innings, Mike Fontenot hit a two-run triple and San Francisco beat the Colorado Rockies 3-1 on Monday night.

This winter, at last, Vogelsong will allow himself some time to reflect on his remarkable 2011 run – as he sits on his couch and watches reruns of “The Franchise.”

“I haven’t had much time to really think about it,” Vogelsong said. “Once I get home and melt down a little bit from the season, it’s going to be a lot of good thoughts and I’m probably going to realize how amazing it all is. It’s been fun, it really has. All I can hope for right now is that I keep it going, come back and do it again.”

Brett Pill had two hits and drove in a run and Pablo Sandoval added a pair of singles and his first career sacrifice bunt for the Giants, who ended a four-game losing streak with their fifth straight home win at soldout AT&T Park.

The switch-hitting Sandoval bunted left-handed because he couldn’t find his batting helmet to hit righty.

Mark Ellis – back in the Bay Area after being traded by the Oakland Athletics this summer – had two hits and drove in a run for the Rockies, who lost for the 10th time in 12 games and have dropped six in a row to the Giants. Seth Smith also had two hits.

Vogelsong (13-7) won his third consecutive start following a five-game losing streak and improved to 4-0 this year against Colorado. He allowed four hits, struck out four and didn’t walk a batter. He retired 17 of 18 during one stretch.

The journeyman Vogelsong became an unlikely All-Star and among the most reliable pitchers for the reigning World Series champions – at age 34.

“My years in baseball, it’s the best story of a guy who has persevered like he did to get another shot at pitching in the big leagues,” manager Bruce Bochy said.

A non-roster invitee to spring training on a minor league deal, Vogelsong emerged during Barry Zito’s first stint on the disabled list. Vogelsong toiled through three seasons in the Japanese League before Triple-A stints last year for the Phillies and Angels. In the Bay Area with the team that originally drafted him in the fifth round in 1998.

“I’ve got a lot of motivation to come back and do this again and not be the one-hit wonder,” Vogelsong said. “I’ve heard the things through the season – ‘it’s going to end’ and ‘he’s a fluke’ – and that stuff drove me all year and it’s going to drive me through the offseason.”

Jhoulys Chacin (11-14) took the loss despite a solid outing. He gave up the two runs on eight hits over seven innings. Chacin walked one and struck out three.

Ellis’ RBI single in the eighth ended Sergio Romo’s 21 2-3 scoreless inning streak, a span of 29 games.

Romo got through the eighth, Javier Lopez got an out and Santiago Casilla finished off the game for his sixth save in seven chances.

Vogelsong allowed three or fewer runs in 23 of his 28 starts this season and increased his lead among Giants pitchers with his 12th hit.

Chacin lost his fourth straight start after not receiving any run support for the second straight game and fourth this year.

“I finished the season strong and healthy,” Chacin said. “I’d like to get 200 innings next year if I’m healthy.”

Chacin (11-14) gave up two runs on eight hits over seven innings. He walked one and struck out three. Fontenot drilled a two-out, two-strike pitch from Chacin into the right-center field gap for a triple, driving in two runs in the third inning.

“It was a pitch I wanted to make but I guess I didn’t get it away enough for him to hit it that far,” Chacin said. “I was focusing on the glove and trying to hit the glove.”

Fontenot’s triple capped a two-out rally in the third after Vogelsong singled and Andres Torres walked ahead of him.

After stranding five runners in scoring position, Ellis’ two-out single in the eighth put the Rockies on the board.

Pill added a sacrifice fly in the eighth.

Bochy said closer Brian Wilson won’t pitch again this season in order to protect his troublesome elbow. Wilson didn’t seem happy about the decision after the game.

“I’m not going to talk about myself,” he said before making a quick exit.

NOTES: Vogelsong didn’t walk a batter for the first time since April 22 vs. Atlanta. … Rockies OF Carlos Gonzalez had his injured right wrist examined by 49er team doctor Tim McAdams, who confirmed a deep bone bruise and tendon inflammation. … Colorado hitting coach Carney Lansford said he will likely undergo right hip replacement surgery sometime in October. … RHP Alex White (3-3, 7.04) will start Tuesday’s game for the Rockies. He’s lost his last two starts, giving up 11 runs in 10 1-3 innings. The Rockies won each of his first four starts and six of his first seven. … LHP Madison Bumgarner (12-13, 3.32) pitches for the Giants on Tuesday. He had a five-game winning streak snapped in his last start. He’s 1-3 in six career starts against the Rockies, but with a 2.43 ERA. … Rachael Flatt, the 2010 women’s national figure skating champion, and San Jose Sharks’ players Torey Mitchell and Logan Couture were among those in attendance. … Rockies’ manager Jim Tracy said he doesn’t expect to use Huston Street the rest of the way as the pitcher nurses a groin injury. Street experienced discomfort after his last throwing session. … The Giants set an all-time attendance record with 3,303,060.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

DENVER (AP) — Troy Tulowitzki homered, Seth Smith tripled twice and the Colorado Rockies rallied to beat the streaking Arizona Diamondbacks 8-3 on Tuesday night. Jordan Pacheco and Carlos Gonzalez had two hits each for Colorado, which beat Arizona for just the fifth time in 17 games. Aaron Hill and Justin Upton had two hits each for the Diamondbacks, who had won 12 of their last 13 to take a seven-game lead in the NL West. Arizona led 3-1 and appeared headed to its fourth straight win when the Rockies rallied for seven runs with two outs in the eighth. With Dexter Fowler on first, Mark Ellis singled to left and Carlos Gonzalez knocked in a run with a single to center off reliever David Hernandez (3-3). Tulowitzki followed with his 30th homer to center to make it 5-3. Hernandez gave up a single to Ty Wigginton before Joe Patterson came on, and Smith greeted him with an RBI triple that made it 6-3. After Wilin Rosario walked, Pacheco followed with a run-scoring single. Sam Demel relieved Patterson and hit Kevin Kouzmanoff with a pitch to load the bases and then walked Fowler to make it 8-3. Matt Belisle (10-4) got the win in relief. Colorado’s rally spoiled a solid outing by Arizona starter Josh Collmenter. The right-hander gave up one run on five hits and struck out four in 6 1-3 innings. Arizona broke a 1-all tie in the seventh. Paul Goldschmidt led off with a double, moved to third on a passed ball and scored on Gerardo Parra’s single to left. The Diamondbacks made it 3-1 when Hill scored from third on a throwing error by third baseman Pacheco in the eighth. The Diamondbacks took a 1-0 lead in the first when Hill and Upton hit consecutive one-out singles to put runners at the corners and Montero followed with an RBI grounder. The Rockies tied it in the fifth when Smith led off with a triple to center and scored on Pacheco’s grounder to third. Colorado starter Jason Hammel went seven innings, allowing two runs, one earned, on six hits and struck out six. NOTES: Hernandez was ejected from the game by home plate umpire Todd Tichenor as he was leaving the field in the eighth. … Rockies 1B Todd Helton didn’t play for the third straight day due to back stiffness. … Rockies OF Ryan Spilborghs (right foot) will likely not play the rest of the season. … The Rockies promoted Pacheco and right-hander Jim Miller from Triple-A Colorado Springs, and brought up catcher Wilin Rosario from Double-A Tulsa before the game. They placed INF Jonathan Herrera (right index finger) on the 60-day DL. … Arizona lefty Joe Saunders will face Rockies righty Kevin Millwood in the series finale Wednesday night.

DENVER (AP) — Troy Tulowitzki homered, Seth Smith tripled twice and the Colorado Rockies rallied to beat the streaking Arizona Diamondbacks 8-3 on Tuesday night.

Jordan Pacheco and Carlos Gonzalez had two hits each for Colorado, which beat Arizona for just the fifth time in 17 games.

Aaron Hill and Justin Upton had two hits each for the Diamondbacks, who had won 12 of their last 13 to take a seven-game lead in the NL West.

Arizona led 3-1 and appeared headed to its fourth straight win when the Rockies rallied for seven runs with two outs in the eighth. With Dexter Fowler on first, Mark Ellis singled to left and Carlos Gonzalez knocked in a run with a single to center off reliever David Hernandez (3-3).

Tulowitzki followed with his 30th homer to center to make it 5-3.

Hernandez gave up a single to Ty Wigginton before Joe Patterson came on, and Smith greeted him with an RBI triple that made it 6-3. After Wilin Rosario walked, Pacheco followed with a run-scoring single.

Sam Demel relieved Patterson and hit Kevin Kouzmanoff with a pitch to load the bases and then walked Fowler to make it 8-3.

Matt Belisle (10-4) got the win in relief.

Colorado’s rally spoiled a solid outing by Arizona starter Josh Collmenter. The right-hander gave up one run on five hits and struck out four in 6 1-3 innings.

Arizona broke a 1-all tie in the seventh. Paul Goldschmidt led off with a double, moved to third on a passed ball and scored on Gerardo Parra’s single to left.

The Diamondbacks made it 3-1 when Hill scored from third on a throwing error by third baseman Pacheco in the eighth.

The Diamondbacks took a 1-0 lead in the first when Hill and Upton hit consecutive one-out singles to put runners at the corners and Montero followed with an RBI grounder.

The Rockies tied it in the fifth when Smith led off with a triple to center and scored on Pacheco’s grounder to third.

Colorado starter Jason Hammel went seven innings, allowing two runs, one earned, on six hits and struck out six.

NOTES: Hernandez was ejected from the game by home plate umpire Todd Tichenor as he was leaving the field in the eighth. … Rockies 1B Todd Helton didn’t play for the third straight day due to back stiffness. … Rockies OF Ryan Spilborghs (right foot) will likely not play the rest of the season. … The Rockies promoted Pacheco and right-hander Jim Miller from Triple-A Colorado Springs, and brought up catcher Wilin Rosario from Double-A Tulsa before the game. They placed INF Jonathan Herrera (right index finger) on the 60-day DL. … Arizona lefty Joe Saunders will face Rockies righty Kevin Millwood in the series finale Wednesday night.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

San Diego scored in three innings, with each of the runs coming with two out. Jeremy Hermida and Will Venable had three RBIs apiece.

“I thought we had a terrific chance to get out of all those innings, but we didn’t,” Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. “In the early part of the game, (Colorado starting pitcher Aaron) Cook did a very competitive job. There was a possibility that he could have gone out there to start the seventh without having a run scored.”

Hermida had an RBI single in the first and a two-run single in the third as the Padres won for the first time since a 7-5 victory at San Francisco on Aug. 23. Venable tripled with the bases loaded in a four-run eighth inning.

“It’s frustrating to lose no matter how well you pitch or how bad you pitch,” Cook said. “You just don’t want to make mistakes with runners on base.”

Cook (3-9) only gave up four hits in six innings, but allowed three runs and walked four. The right-hander dropped to 14-6 with a 2.98 ERA in 28 career appearances against the Padres.

Mat Latos (7-13) struck out eight in seven innings for San Diego, yielding two runs and five hits.

Fowler collected three hits, including a triple, for the second straight day. Fowler’s 15th triple set a career high and franchise record.

The speedy center fielder now has seven extra-base hits in his last five games. He had two doubles and two triples in the three-game series at spacious Petco Park.

Jesus Guzman finished with three hits as San Diego avoided its first 10-game slide since last season. That losing streak in August and early September fueled the Padres’ collapse after leading the NL West for most of the season.

The Rockies lost at San Diego for just the fourth time in their last 16 games. Colorado has won six of nine here this season.

Hermida helped San Diego build a 3-0 lead with his two-out singles in the first and third. But the Rockies got two back in the fourth. Fowler led off with a triple and scored on Mark Ellis’ grounder. Troy Tulowitzki drew a two-out walk and scored after consecutive singles by Jason Giambi and Seth Smith.

The Padres put it away with four runs in the eighth. Pinch-runner Cameron Maybin scored on second baseman Ellis’ two-out error before Venable hit a three-run triple to center off Matt Lindstrom.

NOTES: The Padres recalled prized 1B prospect Anthony Rizzo from Triple-A Tucson. Rizzo hit only .143 with one homer and six RBIs in 35 games in his first stint with San Diego from June 9 to July 22. … A sore right wrist kept Maybin out of the starting lineup for the eighth straight game. … RHP Esmil Rogers will start for Colorado on Monday against Arizona LHP Wade Miley when the Rockies open a six-game homestand. … Padres RHP Tim Stauffer attempts to rebound from his last start Tuesday at the Los Angeles Dodgers when he walked seven in 1 2-3 innings, including six in an eight-run second inning. Stauffer will face visiting San Francisco and LHP Madison Bumgarner on Monday.

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.