said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. CONWAY, Ark. -- H

SAN FRANCISCO -- Jeff Samardzija is going to prepare as if he might pitch a potential wild-card playoff game Monday and stay ready in case he might be needed sooner if San Franciscos season is on the line.The Giants wasted Samardzijas latest stellar start with a chance to grab momentum after a big offensive outburst a night earlier, yet instead the playoff-hopeful Giants ended up with a costly dud in a 2-0 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday night.As long as they know Im ready, thats all that counts, Samardzija said. ... This is the time of year, man, this feels great to be out there pitching when the weather turns a little bit and the season comes to an end. I always love being able to see the finish line and it always allows me to go a little harder. I enjoy staring down the tube when its about to be done and just let it all hang out. Hopefully we get a chance to do that here a handful more times.The bats had better be ready the rest of the way, too.Rockies right-hander Tyler Chatwood (12-9) struck out nine in eight innings and outdueled Samardzija (12-11), shutting down San Francisco a day after the Giants pounded 19 hits in a 12-3 win.San Francisco dropped 1 1/2 games behind the Mets for the top wild card and remained a game up on St. Louis for the second spot after the Cardinals lost to Cincinnati.In a game that began with a hovering mist above the field on a cool Bay Area night -- with first-pitch temperature 55 degrees -- Samardzija struck out a season-high 11 in six-plus innings of his final regular season start. He allowed seven hits and two runs, walking one.Pinch-hitter Kelby Tomlinson doubled leading off the ninth against Rockies closer Boone Logan, who then allowed Brandon Belts two-out infield single. Adam Ottavino retired Buster Posey on a groundout to third to end it for his sixth save.The Giants lone runner to reach second before the ninth was Angel Pagan on a wild pitch in the second. What a contrast from San Franciscos free-swinging performance Tuesday, when it produced 10 extra-base hits with three home runs, four triples and three doubles.Two different teams, manager Bruce Bochy said of his club from one night to the next. Chatwoods been tough on us. He was good tonight. We just couldnt figure him out. We had a runner on second base one time through eight innings. Thats going to work. We pitched well, we played well, this offense couldnt get it going, couldnt figure him out.Twice baserunners were caught stealing and the Giants grounded into two double plays. They know they have serious work to do in order to keep alive a streak of World Series championships in even years this decade: 2010, 12 and 14.Samardzija has struck out nine or more in each of his past three starts against the Rockies. With runners on first and third and one out in the sixth, Samardzija induced an inning-ending double play by Nolan Arenado.Chatwood dazzled -- and that has been the norm for him away from Coors Field. He allowed three hits and walked two as the Rockies snapped an eight-game road losing streak.He is 8-1 with a majors-best 1.69 ERA in 13 road starts, and he is 3-1 with a 2.12 ERA in six career outings at AT&T Park. Chatwoods road ERA is the lowest in franchise history for pitchers with at least 80 innings.After allowing Conor Gillaspies leadoff single in the third, Chatwood retired the next 11 batters in order before Belt drew a leadoff walk in the seventh.He can put the ball on the ground with the best of them. He got two huge double plays. To shut that team down for eight innings, that was impressive, manager Walt Weiss said.Arenado and Gerardo Parra hit RBI singles for the Rockies.In Thursday nights series finale, San Francisco will try to win just its second home series since the All-Star break and fourth series overall in 22 over the second half.San Francisco was shut out for the 13th time, nine coming after the All-Star break.TRAINERS ROOMRockies: NL batting leader DJ LeMahieu, hitting .349, had the night off as Weiss went with Daniel Descalso. Weiss will pick his moments when to use LeMahieu over the final week.Giants: While INF Eduardo Nunez still hopes to return from a hamstring injury this weekend for the season-ending series against the NL West champion Dodgers, Bochy considers it questionable. Nunez has a mild right hamstring pull. ... RHP Johnny Cuetos strained left groin felt fine a day after his bullpen session and he is set to start Thursdays series finale.UP NEXTRockies: RHP Jon Gray (10-9, 4.45 ERA) has struck out 26 batters his past two starts, most in a two-game span in club history.Giants: Cueto (17-5, 2.79) is 2-0 with a 0.77 ERA in three starts against the Rockies this season. Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys . The team also announced Tuesday that the Braves will wear a commemorative patch on the right sleeve during the season. The patch, shaped like home plate, carries the number 715, Aarons autograph and a "40th Anniversary" banner. NHL Jerseys China .Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Kevin Porter and defenceman Chad Ruhwedel from the minors as part of a five-player roster shuffle made by the NHLs worst team. https://www.chinanhljerseys.us/ . Anthony Calvillo, through 20 CFL seasons, was frequently invincible and largely stoic in the heat of competition. But underneath the professional exterior he was, and is, compellingly human. Wholesale NHL Jerseys .com) - Yankee Stadium is the home of the Bronx Bombers, but on Sunday afternoon it will open its gates to host the latest addition of the Hudson River Rivalry. Clearance NHL Jerseys . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. CONWAY, Ark. -- Hayden Hildebrand threw for 257 yards as Central Arkansas regained control in the fourth quarter to stop Nicholls 31-24 in Southland Conference play on Saturday.Central Arkansas (9-1, 8-0) is now primed for a showdown with Sam Houston State next Saturday in Huntsville. The Bearkats were 9-0 and 7-0 in conference going into their game against Northwestern State later Saturday night.UCA was ahead 17-14 entering the final quarter but Nicholls struck quickly when Chase Fourcade, who threw for 340 yards andd two scores, hit C.dddddddddddd J. Bates on an 80-yard scoring bomb for a 21-17 lead. The Bears answered when Carlos Blackman scored from the 15 with 11:16 left. Jaylon Lofton sealed the win when he intercepted a Fourcade pass, returning it 79 yards for a touchdown for a 31-21 lead with 8:15 remaining.Fourcade was also the leading rusher for Nicholls (5-5, 5-3) with 66 yards on 11 carries. ' ' '