The San Diego Padres continued their second half ownage of the San Francisco Giants on Sunday, beating them for the eighth time in their last 10 tries, in a game that could have significant impact on the NL Wild Card standings.
For those still holding out hope, it also had a significant impact on the division standings. With the Dodgers walk-off win on Sunday, they are officially the 2016 NL West Champions.
The Giants last away game of the season was far from spectacular in every aspect, with rookie starter Ty Blach lasting just three innings in the 4-3 loss at Petco Park. San Francisco scored three runs in the third inning, but were held in check by Clayton Richard and the San Diego bullpen otherwise.
The Giants blew their second early lead in as many games, when a Wil Myers RBI double off Cody Gearrin in the seventh inning gave the Padres the 4-3 advantage after trailing 3-1 earlier in the game.
With the loss and the Mets 14-0 victory on Sunday, the Giants fall a game out of first place and into a tie for second place in the NL Wild Card with St. Louis, who could secure a half game lead over San Francisco should they beat the Chicago Cubs tonight. That would put the Giants in third place, on the outside looking in when it comes to clinching a postseason berth.
The Giants are now 0-61 in 2016 when trailing in the ninth inning.
Splitting the series against a team 24 games under .500 is disappointing enough, but this one stings even more considering the Padres started six rookies, including three players playing in their first ever Major League series.
Blach entered his first career start having allowed just a single hit in six innings of major league work. He matched that total when facing his first batter as a starting pitcher, giving up a game opening double to San Diego leadoff hitter Manuel Margot. It was the start of a stressful first inning, where Blach also walked three, but the rookie was able to get out of it unscathed with a double play and strikeout.
He would not be so lucky in the second, when Margot tagged him again, this time on an RBI single that scored Austin Hedges from third. Blach minimized the damage, however, ending the inning by striking out Myers in a twelve pitch at bat with Margot at third base.
The Giants answered in the third inning, putting up a three spot that included a Buster Posey two run single to right field, earning his 73 and 74th RBIs of the season.
Adam Rosales’ second homer in as many games was enough to chase Blach after three innings of work. The left-hander threw 76 pitches, walked three, struckout three and allowed two runs in his first career start.
Derek Law relieved Blach in the fourth inning and looked shaky with his command despite only allowing one baserunner. Bochy replaced him with George Kontos in the fifth inning who also struggled, walking Myers to open the inning, allowing him to steal second, and then giving up an RBI double to Yangervis Solarte, tying the game at 3-3.
Steven Okert finally provided some stability out of the Giants pen, striking out Ryan Schimpf as part of a 1-2-3 sixth inning.
Eduardo Nunez exited the game in the seventh inning after recording his 40th steal of the season with a right hamstring strain.
Gearrin replaced Okert in the seventh inning and gave up the lead. Margot continued his excellent day with a one out standup triple, and was knocked in by Myers who’s RBI double crossed first base inches inside the foul line.
The Giants return to AT&T Park for their final home stand of the year, taking a day off before starting a three game series with the Colorado Rockies (73-82) on Tuesday. With Johnny Cueto still sidelined with a Grade 1 groin strain, Matt Moore will likely take the hill for San Francisco (4.96 ERA) facing off against German Marquez (3.48 ERA). First pitch is at 7:15 on KNBR 680.