SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Matt Duffy missed a game-tying hit by inches. Buster Posey was not able to adjust to consecutive changeups. The San Francisco Giants had their rally caps working and nearly pulled another comeback out of them.

Three players in the middle of Colorado’s batting order — Carlos Gonzalez, Nolan Arenado and Ben Paulsen — produced 10 hits, four extra-base hits and all seven RBIs and the Rockies rode them to an 8-6 victory over the Giants on Friday night.

Tim Hudson (5-7) took a shutout into the sixth inning, but Arenado’s 21st home run ended it. Hudson allowed five runs on 10 hits in 6 2/3 innings. He walked one and struck out six.

“It’s a little frustrating. I thought we had the game in hand,” Hudson said. “The three-run homer is one pitch I’d like to have back. It was a fastball in, a little up. It was the wrong pitch.”

The Rockies tacked on two runs in the ninth that turned out to make all the difference.

The Giants scored three times in the ninth against Tommy Kahnle to make things interesting. Three walks, a passed ball and RBI singles by Gregor Blanco and Joe Panik cut the deficit to two runs before Kahnle struck out Duffy and Posey, both on full counts.

“All you can ask is to bring the winning run to the plate,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “We had the right guys up, too. It just didn’t happen.”

Duffy drilled a ball down the right-field line that was close enough to draw a review to determine that it was foul.

“It would have been nice to have that ball drop in,” Bochy said. “Unfortunately, we did not get the break. Huddy did his job. He got us to where we needed.”

Posey was out in front of a 3-1 changeup and wasn’t able to reach a 3-2 changeup that was just off the plate.

“Tommy made two really nice pitches to Buster, one of the best hitters in the game,” Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. “We would have liked to coast to the end, but I’m not surprised they made a run.”

Andrew Susac hit a home run and Brandon Belt and Brandon Crawford each drove in a run for the Giants, who have lost three of their last five.

TRAINER’S TABLE:

Rockies: Left-hander Jorge De La Rosa, who left Thursday night’s game with a cut on his left middle finger, said he should make his next start. “His finger looks a lot better than it did 24 hours ago,” Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. “The next few days will tell.” ... Gonzalez (mild hand sprain) made his first start since Sunday and tied a career high with five hits.

Giants: Outfielder Angel Pagan bruised his left knee running into the outfield wall. He was not available for the game and was scheduled for an MRI. ... Left-hander Jeremy Affeldt went on the disabled list with a left shoulder sprain. ... Right-hander Matt Cain threw his final rehab start and will likely take his spot in the rotation next week.

UP NEXT:

Rockies: Left-hander Chris Rusin (3-2, 5.03) threw seven shutout innings last year in his only career start against the Giants. He’s 4-7 with a 5.10 ERA in 19 games on the road.

Giants: Right-hander Tim Lincecum (7-4, 3.86) is coming off the shortest outing of his career, a 1 1-3 innings stint. He’s 11-10 with a 3.96 ERA in 29 starts against the Rockies.