On this edition of the San Francisco Giants Morning Minute, we discuss the Giants giving away yet another late-inning lead.
Good morning, San Francisco Giants’ fans, and welcome to another edition of the Giants Morning Minute. On Wednesday, the Giants lost again, falling 6-5 to the Colorado Rockies to lose the series.Jordan Lyles(4-4) was the winner, whileJosh Osich(1-3) took the loss.
The Los Angeles Dodgers won to extend their division lead to five games. The St. Louis Cardinals lost, so the Giants miraculously keep their spot atop the wildcard race. The New York Mets won to move into a virtual tie with the Cardinals for the second wildcard spot.
So let’s suffer and re-live Wednesday together.
1 – Ugh
What’s really left to say at this point? The Giants entered the ninth with a lead, and looked well on their way to an all-important series victory over the Rockies. But during the last of the ninth, the Giants found a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
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Constantly controversial closerSantiago Casillahad his fingerprints all over the ninth inning, but he had a good amount help in letting the Rockies roar back and come away with a win. It was Casilla that yielded a leadoff home run toNolan Arenadoto make it a one-run game. Two batters later, he hung a curveball (not the first time in the inning), leading to a single forTom Murphy.
That was the end of Casilla’s night, as he was pulled for left-hander Josh Osich. Thoughts that things would turn out okay without Casilla on the mound were quickly washed away. Osich’s third pitch was a fastball that plunkedCharlie Blackmon, moving the tying run into scoring position.
Joe Nathan, the 41-year-old with just one appearance for the Giants since his call-up, was brought in next. WhenNick Hundleylofted a sky-high flyball, it looked like a surefire second out. Instead,Angel Pagangot a late break and it fell for a single to load the bases. When Nathan left a fastball center-cut toCristhian Adames, that was all she wrote. The double brought home a pair and stuck another dagger in the Giants.
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Nathan was charged with the blown save, but it’s one where the stat could be shared. All parties involved played a part in the collapse.
It’s a familiar thing. They were so close to coming out of Coors Field with that win and instead they come away with bupkis. Something has to change in the late innings. It’s past time to move things around and shake things up. MaybeHunter Stricklandneeds to be the go-to guy. Maybe it’sWill Smith. Maybe it’sSergio Romo. Maybe it’s just one of those guys until the heir apparent,Derek Law, is back and healthy.
There’s really no easy answer to this multiple choice question. But something needs to be figured out soon.
Next: Giants Morning Minute: Backups Come Through For Shark
And that will do it for this edition of the Giants Morning Minute. Up next, the Giants have an off-day on Thursday before beginning a three-game series in Arizona with the Diamondbacks.Madison Bumgarnerpitches against rookieBraden Shipleyin game one.
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