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.
