Brandon Belt doubled to lead off the 18th inning and scored on Erik Kratz’s one-out, fielder’s choice grounder, as the San Francisco Giants beat the Colorado Rockies 3-2 Friday night but yet the people aren't happy because of after-game fireworks.
Though it was Fireworks Night at Oracle Park and the city warned residents that fireworks will go off around 10-10:15 p.m., no one predicted the game would go to 18 innings. The fireworks actually went off around 1:10 a.m.
Few of the announced crowd of 33,616 were still around when the 5-hour, 35-minute marathon game ended at 12:50 Saturday morning. The Giants said the game matched the longest played in Oracle Park.
Many residents took to social media to express their frustrations over the loud noise which woke them, their babies and dogs up. "Thanks for waking everyone up. How is this not a violation of the noise ordinance?" resident Ross Lazerowits wrote on Twitter.
A few people thought the fireworks sounded like gunfire or an explosion. "I’m in the Oakland Hills and thought we were all about to die," Elizabeth Clark tweeted.
"I legitimately thought there was a crash, some buildings were exploding or we were under some attack due to the loud sounds heard in San Francisco," another resident said.
But some poked fun at those not-so-happy spectators.
"Anyone complaining about the #fireworks display should move to Walnut Creek. Fireworks after an 18th inning game is a once in a lifetime event. Enjoy it! Even at 1:00am." said Juan del Real.
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The Giants have since issued an apology and said the team will work on a new policy, with the hope to have one in place before the next fireworks display.
"We have initiated discussions to adjust our fireworks policy particularly under circumstances where games run much longer than expected. We sincerely apologize for the disruption," the team said in a statement.
But at least Giants fans can celebrate the team's first back-to-back win this season. After Belt doubled and two batters were intentionally walked to load the bases, the Rockies went to a five-man infield, bringing in center fielder Ian Desmond. Kratz hit a slow grounder to Desmond, who had to run to his left before throwing home. Belt slid in safely, but Rockies manager Bud Black immediately asked for a replay.
A brief replay confirmed the call.
Travis Bergen (2-0), the ninth pitcher used by Giants manager Bruce Bochy, retired six batters and earned the win.
DJ Johnson (0-1) took the loss for Colorado. The Rockies (3-11) have lost seven straight and are off to the worst start in franchise history.
The teams combined for 41 strikeouts — 24 by the Rockies. The Giants ran out of giant “K″ markers that are hung along the brick wall near right field, so three fans stood and posed like K’s after the 21st strikeout by Colorado.
San Francisco got a decent outing from starter Drew Pomeranz, but it was the Giants bullpen that made the difference, combining for 14 scoreless innings after the Rockies scored twice in the fourth.
TRAINERS ROOM
Rockies: 2B Daniel Murphy will avoid surgery and has been fitted for a new splint on his fractured left index finger after meeting with a hand specialist in Arizona. The three-time All-Star underwent a second series of tests, and the plan is to let Murphy’s finger heal on its own. Murphy signed a $24 million, two-year deal with Colorado in the offseason. . Antonio Senzatela (right heel blister infection) has rejoined the team, but no determination has been made what the next move is for the right-hander. Senzatela allowed two earned runs over seven innings in two rehab starts for Triple-Albuquerque.
UP NEXT
Madison Bumgarner (0-2, 3.32 ERA) pitches on Saturday for San Francisco, while Colorado sends Kyle Freeland (1-2, 5.40) to the mound in a matchup of left-handers. Bumgarner is winless in three starters, and the Giants have lost seven of the previous eight games that the 2014 World Series MVP has pitched in, dating to last season. Freeland is making his third road start this season.
