Eldridge's 458-foot blast headlines Giants' Fourth of July win vs. Rockies

Justice delos Santos, The Mercury News on Jul 4, 2026

Published in Baseball

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DENVER — Bryce Eldridge has already learned how Oracle Park, his home stadium, can suppress offense.

It was about two months ago that Eldridge got “Oracle’d” for the first time in his career. On a cold San Francisco night, Eldridge sent a 407-foot fly ball to Triples Alley. At every other ballpark, Eldridge’s towering blast would’ve been a home run. At Oracle Park, his efforts were reduced to an F9.

Eldridge is also learning how Coors Field, a venue he’ll visit a handful of times per year, can enhance offense. A month ago, he launched a 453-foot homer that landed in the forest beyond center field. And on Saturday, the Fourth of July, Eldridge supplied his own fireworks in the San Francisco Giants’ 6-4 win over the Colorado Rockies, a 458-foot blast that landed in the second deck.

The rookie hasn’t needed much time to reap the benefits of hitting at altitude. In five games at Coors Field, Eldridge is 9 for 19 with two home runs, five RBIs and five doubles. With his solo homer in the top of the fifth, Eldridge became the first Giant in the Statcast era (since 2015) with multiple 450-foot home runs at Coors Field in a single season.

Left-hander Robbie Ray continued to up his trade stock ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline with a third straight quality start, allowing three runs over six innings with four strikeouts and three walks. Ray allowed a three-run homer to the Rockies’ Cole Carrigg in the first but held Colorado scoreless for the next five innings.

Ray had a comedic moment in the bottom of the first, taking a spill after tagging first base when recording a 3-1 putout. Far more impressive was the latest stunning defensive gem by third baseman Casey Schmitt in the eighth, a play where he ranged to his right, backhanded a grounder, then fired a perfect throw across the diamond while in foul territory to end the inning.

Along with Eldridge, shortstop Willy Adames drove in two runs in the first with a double. Luis Arraez, who was named an All-Star on Saturday afternoon, and Jung Hoo Lee each contributed an RBI apiece.

Caleb Kilian enjoyed redemption by recording his eighth save of the season. On May 29, Kilian blew a save against the Rockies by allowing the game-tying home run to Hunter Goodman, then the walk-off homer to Ezequiel Tovar.

Worth noting

Home plate umpire Scott Berry left the game before the top of the fifth inning after being hit in the throat by a foul ball in the bottom of the third. First base umpire Manny Gonzalez assumed responsibilities behind the plate, and there were only three umpires for the remainder of the game.

Up next

Tyler Mahle (1-8, 5.67 ERA) will take the mound on Sunday afternoon at Coors Field as the Giants look to take the series against the Rockies and split their six-game trip. Tanner Gordon (0-2, 6.69 ERA) will start opposite of Mahle.

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