by
Greek Giant
There are bulllpen collapses and there is what happened to the Giants relievers in yesterday’s 10-9 loss to the Reds to help the Giants avoid the sweep. The San Francisco relief corps of Spencer Bivens, pitching in his second inning, and Dylan Smith combined to give up seven runs in the top of the ninth to blow a 9-3 Giants lead and give their team a historic loss. This was the worst blown ninth inning lead in franchise history. It is appropriate that it happen to this bullpen as the team fell to 54-79.
The Giants came into the game 2,208-0 in team history when leading by six or more runs entering the ninth. Change that to 2,208-1 now!
LOL
“Don’t really have a word for it. It’s more than unfortunate.”
“More than unfortunate”
DOUBLE LOL!
Speaking of the Giants Manager, he was ejected by home-plate umpire Ryan Blakney for arguing a check-swing call in the top of the first inning. Bench coach Jayce Tingler, took over managing duties following Vitello’s ejection and brought in righty Dylan Smith to face Eugenio Suárez, but the decision proved costly after Suárez drove a 1-0 fastball out to left-center field for a grand slam, cutting the Giants’ lead to 9-8.
“I didn’t get ahead like I typically do,” Smith said. “Obviously, the home run pitch right there, he got it, man. He took advantage of that pitch. I wish I could have that one back.”
Things only continued to get worse from there.
Dane Myers laid down a bunt single and advanced to second on a throwing error from third baseman Buddy Kennedy, and Matt McClain also successfully beat out a bunt single, setting the table for Jose Trevino’s game-tying sacrifice fly to right field. Tyler Stephenson then came off the bench and lined a go-ahead single to left field, giving the Reds their first lead since the second inning.The bleeding never stopped and the Giants relievers had no answer.
The big question to be asked: Why on Earth was Spencer Bivens brought out to pitch the ninth after pitching the eighth inning? It was a head-scratcher and it cost the Giants.
You want another incredible stat?
The Giants’ nine losses when leading entering the ninth inning are the second-most in the Majors this year, trailing only the Angels (10). It’s hard to believe but it’s true.
Landen Roupp was originally slated to start on Wednesday, but the Giants decided to push him back to Thursday and move up Logan Webb. The last-minute swap was meant to give Roupp an extra day of rest and take some pressure off San Francisco’s bullpen, which was forced to cover 13 2/3 innings in the first two games of this series due to the injuries. Webb pitched well enough and rebounded after a terrible previous start. In this game he went six innings and allowed two runs on five hits. He helped take the load off the Giants pen but it was not enough.
Drew Gilbert hit a pinch-hit, three-run double. Rafael Devers went 2-4 with two runs driven in to give him 76 on the season. He is rebounding from a terrible first half and is on his way to another 30+ homer and 90+ RBI year. Too bad that production came when the Giants season was over.
Whitcomb and Cox homered for the Giants and Turner Hill had three hits.
That’s all I got!
Tonight’s Game
The Arizona Diamondbacks come to the beautiful confines of Willie Mays Field tonight for a game at 6:45 PM. The starting pitchers are listed as Jose Cabrera (0-2, 5.60 ERA) and Landen Roupp (7-13, 4.34 ERA). Let’s hope Roupp goes nine!
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