Read More: Drew Pomeranz (P – COL), Eric Surkamp (P – SFG), Colorado Rockies, San Francisco Giants

On Wednesday afternoon, the Colorado Rockies call it an end to a 2011 season that began with the highest of hopes and ended with the severest of disappointments. They will face the San Francisco Giants, who are not returning to the post season one year after winning the World Series.

Rookie Drew Pomeranz (1-1, 5.68 ERA) struggled in his third start of the season. In Houston, the Astros roughed him up for six runs in two innings. But in his start before that, Pomeranz held the Giants to two runs in 5-2/3 innings at Coors Field. However, the bullpen couldn’t hold on and the team lost, 6-5.

Eric Surkamp (2-1, 5.32 ERA) was the opposing pitcher against Drew Pomeranz on Sept. 17. Surkamp had trouble finding the strike zone and walked six batters in 4-2/3 innings. Things only got worse when he faced the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sept. 24. Surkamp failed to complete the first inning, allowing six runs (two scored as inherited runners after he left the game).

The beginning of the end starts at 1:45 p.m. MT.

For more on the Rockies, visit Purple Row. Check out McCovey Chronicles for more on the Giants.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Madison Bumgarner and two relievers combined on a three-hitter, Brandon Belt homered into McCovey Cove and the San Francisco Giants beat the Colorado Rockies 7-0 on Tuesday night. Conor Gillaspie, making a rare start at third base in place of Pablo Sandoval, hit an inside-the-park home run in the seventh while Brandon Crawford added two hits and an RBI for the Giants, who have won two straight following a four-game losing streak. That’s little consolation for the defending World Series champs, who will still miss the postseason a year after claiming their first title in 54 years. Giants manager Bruce Bochy juggled his lineup slightly, starting Gillaspie at third and moving Sandoval to first. It seemed to do the trick. Gillaspie singled and scored on Belt’s homer in the fourth then stumbled his way around the bases in the seventh for his first career home run. The Giants rookie hit a deep fly ball into the gap in right center that sailed over the head of Colorado outfielder Ty Wiggington. Gillaspie raced around the bases and broke for home when Wiggington overthrew cutoff man Mark Ellis. He tripped after rounding third then had to hustle to beat the throw home from shortstop Tommy Field. Belt hit his ninth homer, a two-run shot off Rockies starter Alex White, in the fourth. It was Belt’s first splash hit and the 84th overall at the Giants waterfront ballpark. The only player younger than the 23-year-old Belt to reach the waters at ATA&T Park is Sandoval, who did it 12 days shy of his 23rd birthday. Giants hitters have done it a total of 60 times, 35 from home run king Barry Bonds. Belt, who spent three stints in the minors this season after starting the year with the big league club, later walked and scored on Crawford’s triple in the sixth. That was all the support Bumgarner needed to secure San Francisco’s seventh consecutive win over Colorado and 13th overall this season. Bumgarner, the winning pitcher in Game 4 of the World Series last season, allowed only two hits and pitched with runners on base in only two innings — the second and sixth. Each time, he worked out of trouble. Kevin Kouzmanoff doubled leading off the second and took third on Jordan Pacheco’s single to right. Bumgarner (13-13) then struck out the next three hitters, including Wilin Rosario and Field who were both caught looking at a third strike. Bumgarner retired 18 of the final 19 batters he faced, did not walk anyone for the second straight start and finished with nine strikeouts. Ramon Ramirez pitched the eighth and former starter Barry Zito worked the ninth to complete the shutout. White (2-4) got off to a rough start, walking leadoff batter Andres Torres on six pitches then uncorking back-to-back wild pitches to advance Torres to third. Mike Fontenot followed with a sacrifice fly to give the Giants a 1-0 lead. San Francisco put two runners on in the second and had a runner at second in the third but couldn’t add on until Gillaspie singled in the fourth and Belt homered. Crawford’s RBI triple was the second of the rookie’s career. He later scored on a wild pitch, the fourth of the night thrown by Colorado pitchers. Notes: Rockies manager Jim Tracy will bring back his entire coaching staff next season, including hitting coach Carney Lansford and pitching coach Bob Apodaca, both of whom have come under fire this year. … Colorado general manager Dan O’Dowd and slugger Jason Giambi held a lengthy meeting in the dugout two hours before the game discussing the future of the club and some of the players. … LHP Drew Pomeranz makes his fourth career start for Colorado. Pomeranz (1-1) allowed two runs over 5 2-3 innings but left with a no-decision against the Giants on Sept. 17. … RHP Matt Cain (12-11) goes for his third straight win over the Rockies in the finale. … Bill Neukom, who will retire as the Giants’ controlling owner at the end of the year and be replaced by Larry Baer as chief executive officer, was on the field during batting practice. … Oakland Raiders quarterback Jason Campbell and winger Ryan Clowe of the San Jose Sharks were among those in attendance.

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.)

Jhoulys Chacin came within six innings of reaching his goal of throwing 200 innings in a season. He’s still happy about the way he finished.

Chacin pitched seven strong innings but one pitch cost him the win as the San Francisco Giants beat the Colorado Rockies 3-1 on Monday night.

“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. Mike 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.”

The rally began when Giants starter Ryan Vogelsong (13-7) singled off Jordan Pacheco’s glove after Chacin had retired the first two hitters of the inning.

“If we catch a line drive the inning is over and it was catchable,” Rockies’ manager Jim Tracy said. “I think Jordan just misjudged and overjumped it. It hit in the heel of the glove.”

Chacin still impressed his manager and will have an opportunity to become the ace of Colorado’s staff in the future.

“When Chacin commands his fastball, like he did tonight, it will allow him to make a quantum leap,” Tracy said. “When he commands the fastball, he pitches deep into games and doesn’t give up much.”

Vogelsong threw seven shutout innings as he made a final statement toward a possible Comeback Player of the Year award.

Pablo Sandoval and Brett Pill, who also had an RBI, each added two hits for the Giants, who ended a four-game losing streak with their fifth straight home win.

Mark Ellis 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 won his third consecutive start following a five-game losing streak. He allowed four hits, did not walk a batter and struck out four. He retired 17 of 18 during on stretch.

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, who was named to the NL All-Star team, 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.

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

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.

NOTES: 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. … 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.

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.