Mercury News
Ryan Vogelsong was a long shot to be a Giant this season. Now he's looking like a potential National League All-Star.
Vogelsong's remarkable comeback story just keeps getting better, and the appreciation from the stands keeps getting louder. He received a pair of thunderous ovations in the Giants' 2-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday afternoon.
First, Vogelsong limited the Rockies to just one run -- a Chris Iannetta home run -- in eight sparkling innings. Then, after it looked like he was out of the game for a pinch hitter, Vogelsong emerged from the dugout to put down a sacrifice bunt that aided in the tiebreaking run as the Giants found another way to win close and late at home.
After taking two of three from the Rockies, the Giants are 10-2 at home against NL West opponents.
The Giants won with help from their bench and a clutch single by Andres Torres. After pinch hitter Pat Burrell drew a leadoff walk from right-hander Matt Lindstrom, Giants manager Bruce Bochy pulled back rookie Conor Gillaspie from the on-deck circle and had Vogelsong step to the plate.
Vogelsong earned a standing ovation after his bunt dribbled down the first base line, advancing pinch runner Manny Burriss. Torres appeared to go around on a 2-2 pitch that bounced to the screen, moving Burriss to third, but he received another life. He took advantage by lining the next pitch into left-center field.
It came just in time for Vogelsong (4-1) to earn a victory. The Giants are 6-2 in his eight starts since he took over for disabled left-hander Barry Zito in the rotation. 
Zito is starting a minor league rehab assignment Monday for Single-A San Jose, but there's no hurry. Vogelsong has allowed just three earned runs over his last six starts, good for an 0.69 ERA over that span.
Vogelsong is succeeding with movement and command. He even overmatched Carlos Gonzalez, last year's NL batting champ, while striking him out three times.
The Giants needed to break through against Rockies right-hander Jason Hammel, who had a no-hitter into the sixth inning. Miguel Tejada broke it up with a line single to right field, and with runners at the corners, Freddy Sanchez followed with a tying single up the middle.
Brian Wilson pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning, throwing just 10 pitches.
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