San Francisco @ Colorado preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 21, 2014 ) San Francisco 2, Colorado 8

Colorado's Charlie Blackmon tries to continue his assault on major-league pitching while remaining in relative obscurity as the Rockies host the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday. "I love it when people say 'overnight sensation.' I've been in the big leagues for parts of four seasons now," Blackmon told The Gazette of Colorado Springs. "It's humbling. Nobody knows who I am. If I walk down the street - right after the game - somebody might recognize me. Probably not. Maybe. But probably not."

Blackmon recorded his first career multi-homer game with two solo shots Monday to help Colorado to its fourth victory in five games - an 8-2 decision over San Francisco - and is hitting .411. Blackmon's production is helpful as the Rockies are without reigning National League batting champion Michael Cuddyer, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left hamstring injury - retroactive to Friday - after missing four games. San Francisco ace Madison Bumgarner beat Colorado with his bat in their last encounter and will oppose Franklin Morales, who came out of the bullpen to provide the starting rotation a much-needed boost in his last outing.

TV: 8:40 p.m. ET, CSN Bay Area (San Francisco), ROOT (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Madison Bumgarner (2-1, 3.48 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Franklin Morales (1-1, 4.82)

Bumgarner is off a slow start by his standards after recording only one quality outing among his first four turns, but is 1-0 with a 1.74 ERA in two road starts. The 24-year-old Hickory, N.C., native yielded four runs and nine hits in six innings against Colorado on April 11, but hit a grand slam and drove in five runs in a 6-5 victory. Bumgarner is 8-5 with a 3.27 ERA against the Rockies - 4-4, 4.27 at Coors Field, with Carlos Gonzalez (12-for-33, five home runs, nine RBIs) causing him fits.

Morales broke camp as the No. 5 starter after making 170 of his first 195 career appearances in relief, but was sent back to the bullpen when Tyler Chatwood returned from the disabled list. Morales was thrust back into a starter's role when Brett Anderson broke his finger and allowed one run and four hits while striking out five in six innings of the Rockies' 3-1 victory at San Diego on Thursday. The 28-year-old Venezuelan is 0-3 with a 6.57 ERA in 17 games (three starts) versus the Giants.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rockies 3B Nolan Arenado extended his hitting streak to 12 games with two hits Monday, including a home run in the Rockies' four-run first inning.

2. Colorado rookie RHP Tommy Kahnle (2-0, 1.59 ERA) struck out five in two innings Monday - the sixth reliever in Rockies history to accomplish the feat.

3. Prior to Monday, San Francisco and Colorado played seven consecutive one-run games, with the Giants winning four.

PREDICTION: Giants 3, Rockies 2