Giants Can’t Handle Oliver

Darren Oliver pitched six scoreless innings and had a run-scoring double to win for the first time in nearly a month, and the Colorado Rockies defeated the San Francisco Giants, 5-1, on Sunday.

Oliver (2-3) gave up seven hits and worked out of trouble several times, benefiting from three double plays in his first victory since April 27 against the Chicago Cubs.

“He pitched a good ballgame. Pitched out of the stretch most of the ballgame, but pitched a good ballgame,” Manager Clint Hurdle said. “It might be the secret for success. He was very good when he needed to be.”

The Giants had 11 hits in their second consecutive game without ailing Barry Bonds but didn’t score until Neifi Perez hit a run-scoring triple against Jose Jimenez with two out in the ninth inning.

San Francisco has lost 10 of 15 and its lead over the Dodgers in the National League West has been reduced to half a game.

The Giants had runners on first and third in the seventh inning, but Justin Speier got Marquis Grissom to ground into a double play -- Colorado’s fourth -- to end the inning.

The Giants had plenty of chances against Oliver, but the left-hander came up with a big pitch every time.

In the third inning, Perez led off with a double and Oliver hit starting pitcher Jesse Foppert, who was attempting to bunt. Grissom reached on a fielder’s choice. Jose Cruz Jr. struck out and Rich Aurilia walked on four pitches to load the bases, but Oliver got Benito Santiago to ground out.

Oliver also stranded Santiago at second after a leadoff double in the second inning and left Andres Galarraga and Edgardo Alfonzo aboard in the fourth after they led off with consecutive singles.

“I am definitely keeping them busy,” said Oliver, who has pitched at least five innings and given up three earned runs or fewer in his last four starts. “You can work your way out of problems with those double-play balls.”

Foppert (2-4) was removed after throwing 84 pitches in four innings.

Bonds tested his sore right knee on a stationary bike before the game, but Manager Felipe Alou said Bonds will not play until the Giants return to San Francisco on Tuesday.