San Francisco Giants
Giants head home after 1-7 trip to start second half
The San Francisco Giants headed into the All-Star break a major league-best 57-33.
They started the second half by skidding on a 1-7 trip to San Diego, Boston and New York that culminated in a 5-2 loss Sunday to the Yankees.
“I’m very excited about to get home,” said Giants starter Jeff Samardzija, who was charged with the loss Sunday. “Obviously, this road trip didn’t go the way we wanted it to, but you learn from this. We got some guys who got some playing time. And you use this for the future. The season isn’t always going to go the way you want it to from start to finish. So, we’re going to go home and regroup and put this behind us.”
The Giants were swept by the Padres (three games) and Red Sox (two), then lost the opener to the Yankees during their season-worst six-game slide. After Saturday’s 12-inning victory to snap the skid, they lost again Sunday.
Right fielder Hunter Pence (hamstring), second baseman Joe Panik (concussion) and third baseman Matt Duffy (strained Achilles tendon) are sidelined, first baseman Brandon Belt was 2 for 33 (.061) on the trip and shortstop Brandon Crawford 6 for 33 (.182) with no RBIs.
“We had some guys cold with the bat,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “We’ll go as they go.”
Crawford, a Gold Glove winner, also had a tough time with the glove. He committed four errors on the trip, including a career-high three in Friday’s loss.
Giants SS Brandon Crawford entered the day with 18 Defensive Runs Saved (2nd in MLB). He's made 3 errors today.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 23, 2016
San Francisco was 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position Sunday, leaving the National League West leaders at 9 for 72 (.125) following the break.
“I’ve got to find the approach to get back on track,” Belt said. “I feel like a lot of these losses that we’ve had are on me. I’ve had plenty of chances to drive in runs, didn’t get the job done.”
San Francisco’s lineup included rookie Mac Williamson in right, Ramiro Pena at second and Conor Gillaspie at third. Rookie Trevor Brown caught to give Buster Posey a day at designated hitter after Saturday’s win.
Win #58. Yes! pic.twitter.com/DiZEXydPuk
— #WeAreSF (@SFGiants) July 24, 2016
A makeshift batting order also will be used when the Giants open a homestand Monday against Cincinnati, last in the N.L. Central at 38-60.
“You obviously see what happens with the hole in the lineup. Three middle guys aren’t in the middle of the lineup,” Belt said. “Obviously, we haven’t done well this road trip, myself especially. But I don’t think the reason is because we’re putting too much pressure on ourselves. We’re just all slumping at the same time.”
Here’s a quick look at the Giants’ trip:
Date | Opponent | Result | Hits | LOB | Comment |
July 15 | San Diego Padres | L, 4-1 | 5 | 3 | Padres beat Giants for first time this season, snapping a nine-game skid against S.F |
July 16 | San Diego Padres | L, 7-6 (10) | 14 | 8 | Giants hit four homers, but Santiago Casilla balked home winning run |
July 17 | San Diego Padres | L, 5-3 | 2 | 7 | Edwin Jackson took no-hit bid into seventh inning |
July 19 | Boston Red Sox | L, 4-0 | 5 | 5 | Rick Porcello continued Fenway dominance; David Ortiz homered |
July 20 | Boston Red Sox | L, 11-7 | 15 | 11 | Boston’s Hanley Ramirez hit three home runs |
July 22 | New York Yankees | L, 3-2 | 9 | 10 | Brandon Crawford, a Gold Glove winner, committed three errors |
July 23 | New York Yankees | W, 2-1 (12) | 9 | 8 | Mac Williamson drove in both runs for S.F. |
July 24 | New York Yankees | L, 5-2 | 10 | 10 | Yankees hit solo HRs in first and second innings, added three runs in sixth, then cruised |
Compiled by Noel Harris
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