SAN FRANCISCO – The Giants' bullpen figures to look much different next season, and the final six weeks of the season will go a long way in determining the extent of the makeover.
Among the questions the Giants must answer over their final 30 games is whether their three rookie relievers – Sergio Romo, Alex Hinshaw and Billy Sadler – can be long-term solutions in helping bridge the gap from the starters to All-Star closer Brian Wilson.
Romo strengthened his case Tuesday night in the Giants' otherwise forgettable 7-2 loss to the Colorado Rockies at AT&T Park.
The 25-year-old right-hander, who at this time last year was preparing for the Class-A California League playoffs with the San Jose Giants, inherited a one-out bases-loaded jam in the fifth inning. He allowed Troy Tulowitzki's sacrifice fly that stretched the Rockies' lead to 5-2, but Romo helped the Giants avoid a big inning.
In all, Romo, retired all five batters he faced, no small accomplishment in a game in which Giants 29-year-old rookie right-hander Matt Palmer and veteran relievers Jack Taschner and Keiichi Yabu allowed 19 runners and combined to walk eight batters.
Romo has been turning heads since he arrived from Double-A Connecticut in late June. Tuesday was the 14th time in 19 appearances that Romo has not allowed a run, and right-handers are batting just .107 (3 for 28) against the 28th-round draft pick out of Mesa State College.
There has been no such late-round success story for Palmer, a 32nd-round draft pick who after 6 1/2 seasons in the minors made his major league debut Aug. 16 as an emergency starter when Jonathan Sánchez developed a sore left shoulder.
Palmer (0-2) fought a losing battle with his command against the Rockies. He lasted 4 1/3 innings and allowed five runs (four earned) and four hits, walked six and hit a batter. After the game, he was optioned to Triple-A Fresno, with right-hander Osiris Matos being promoted.
"He was his own worst enemy getting behind and walking some guys," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "Particularly to left-handed hitters tonight, he had trouble throwing strikes. He has to trust his stuff and work ahead better."
The Rockies, meanwhile, pulled within six games of first-place Arizona in the National League West with their ninth win in the last 11 games.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.