Vizquel, Giants rally for 10-inning win vs. Rockies

DENVER (AP) -- Giants manager Bruce Bochy wanted to give Omar Vizquel and his creaky left knee a day off.

Good thing he was talked out of the idea.

Vizquel doubled to start a tying rally in the ninth and then drove in the winning run with a sacrifice fly in the 10th, leading the San Francisco Giants to a 3-2 win over the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday.

The Gold Glove shortstop nixed the day off plans. Although he's still recovering from offseason arthroscopic knee surgery, he convinced Bochy that he was fit enough to be in the lineup.

Backup catcher Steve Holm was a different story.

After batting practice, Holm, who drew the starting assignment, hustled into the clubhouse where he lost his breakfast -- twice.

So, not wanting to risk burning a potential pinch hitter early in the game should Holm have to come out, Bochy decided to go with Bengie Molina.

Holm later found a way to make the Rockies sick. With two outs in the ninth, he laced a double to left-center to bring in Molina with the tying run. Holm then took over for Molina behind the plate.

"I was like, 'Don't let this thing go 18 innings or something,'" said Holm, who felt better around the fourth inning after eating some animal crackers.

The Giants wouldn't have had many options if Holm would've had to come out.

"We had the IVs ready," Bochy said with a grin. "Great win."

And a demoralizing loss.

The Rockies had the Giants down to their last out when Holm came through against All-Star closer Brian Fuentes.

"I don't think I pitched too bad," Fuentes said. "But it's always frustrating losing games late. It seems that's the way things have been going for us."

Colorado squandered a sensational outing from Ubaldo Jimenez. The 24-year-old went seven innings, scattering three hits while striking out one and walking two. He was looking for his first win since April 8 against Atlanta, but is now 0-3 with five no decisions since that victory.

"Of course it's discouraging," Jimenez said. "Everyone in this room wants to win. No one wants to lose."

Still, the Rockies were encouraged by what they saw, especially his ability to stay ahead of Giants hitters. His biggest bugaboo had been his command, which was spot on against San Francisco.

"He was flat out pitching with real good stuff," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "I was asked three weeks ago if we were going to keep him in the rotation or move him to the bullpen. Look how far he's come in four starts."

Brian Wilson struck out Omar Quintanilla looking for the final out in the 10th to pick up his 14th save in 16 chances.

Tyler Walker (2-2) got the win after setting down the Rockies in the ninth.

"Talk about a team win, we damn-well used about everyone on the roster today," Walker said.

The Giants' half of the 10th got off to an encouraging start when Ray Durham singled and Rich Aurilia drew a walk off Matt Herges (2-1). After Fred Lewis' fielder's choice moved Durham to third, Vizquel lifted a fly to left, easily scoring Durham with the go-ahead run.

Although he's only been back since May 10, Vizquel said he's beginning to feel more comfortable at the plate. With his 2-for-4 afternoon, his average soared to .306.

"It's still early," said Vizquel, who started the season on the disabled list. "I still need to tuneup a little bit."

Willy Taveras, Matt Holliday and Ryan Spilborghs all had two hits for the Rockies, who lost for the second straight day.

The two longest active hitting streaks in the majors both came to an end Wednesday. Randy Winn had hit safely in 15 in a row before an 0-for-4 afternoon, while Clint Barmes' streak of 13 straight was halted after going hitless in five plate appearances.

Winn had a potential extra-base hit taken away from him when Todd Helton made a nifty short-handed grab of his hard shot down the line. He was also intentionally walked in the 10th.

Starter Jonathan Sanchez last 6 1/3 innings, surrendering eight hits and two runs while striking out five in the no decision.

Game notes
Vizquel played his 2,581st contest at shortstop Wednesday, moving him two away from tying fellow Venezuelan Luis Aparicio for the all-time lead in games played at the position. ... Giants INF Travis Denker made his major league debut Wednesday as a pinch hitter in the 10th. He flied out to left.