San Francisco Giants: There is plenty of frustration all around

With the NL West a wide-open race, the San Francisco Giants are counting their blessings the season is not over after bad fortunes.

The San Francisco Giants’ bullpen is a dumpster fire after Monday’s nightmare implosion against the Miami Marlins. As we’ve seen time and again throughout the season, quality starts have often been met with no offense, or the bullpen not securing the win.

Against Miami, Andrew Suarez put together a solid outing, allowing only two earned runs through 6.1 innings pitched. He left the game with the Giants up 4-2 on the Marlins and in line for his third win of the season.

The Marlins got the best of the Giants in Florida with San Francisco looking to return the favor at home.

Instead of nailing down a win, the ninth inning re-opened questions about this team and the current bullpen situation.

Hunter Strickland let Suarez and his teammates down, allowing the game-tying and game-winning runs to cross the plate.

Tony Watson replaced Strickland and kept the Marlins from extending the lead.

San Francisco’s bats went silent in the bottom of the ninth as what seemed to be an apparent win, turned into a 5-4 defeat.

To make matters worse, Strickland let his frustrations get the better of him as he punched a wall in the dugout. The result was a broken hand and he is now out for the coming months.

Injuries have been a common theme for San Francisco, with no end in sight. Third baseman, Evan Longoria, is shelved for the upcoming weeks after injuring his hand during an at-bat against the Marlins last week.

Longoria’s injury allows Pablo Sandoval to be in the starting lineup and the Giants need him to contribute on a consistent basis. The Giants should look into finding an upgrade over Sandoval even if for a short-term basis until Longoria returns.

Both Madison Bumgarner and Johnny Cueto have been on the disabled list, with Bumgarner just now coming back. Cueto is still out, and Bruce Bochy can only hope to have a starting rotation at full strength after the All-Star break.

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In three starts since returning, only two quality starts came with Bumgarner on the mound, as he suffered two losses against Arizona and Los Angeles. His start against the Marlins is one to forget, after allowing four runs and getting ejected for arguing with the umpire.

His return to the rotation though, provided some optimism that the Giants could turn the corner and perhaps make a move in the weak NL West. In the 3-2 loss, the Giants illustrated masterfully, how necessary solid pitching is, with no offense in critical moments.

Buster Posey had multiple opportunities to provide run support with the bases loaded on numerous occasions.

In both chances, he left the runners stranded to end the inning. He would deliver an RBI single in the ninth but knew he blew an opportunity to help the Giants get a win.

Consistency must be found among the Giants if they’re going to have any chance of staying in the postseason picture.

Forget about the wild card, as no team in the division is a clear front-runner at the moment. The Dodgers appear to have some momentum after getting out of their slump after being second-best last year.

In regard to their pitching staff, the Giants will likely go to a closer by committee with Strickland on the shelf. Watson or Sam Dyson may be the likely candidates. Dyson ended up getting the save in Tuesday’s 6-3 victory over the Marlins.

Do not expect Mark Melancon in the picture, though he could get another opportunity. If Armando Benitez did not send a message, then Melancon should be a resounding reason not to spend big money on closers during the offseason.

If all else fails, perhaps giving Sandoval another crack on the mound would be an option Bochy could look at. His stint got fans excited as “Let Pablo Pitch” shirts are a favorite item at the San Francisco Giants’ Dugout Store.

Next: Giants' Prospects Shine In All-Star Games

Frustration can be seen building among the players and coaches as the Giants struggle to gain positive momentum. Opportunity is there for the Giants to grasp if all the pieces come together. To make all aspects work in unison though, is a work in progress to this point

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