© Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports
SAN FRANCISCO – It’s over. After a long, slow grind, the Giants finished their season with a 15-0 blowout loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Hunter Pence was on display all day as the lone ray of light.
Pence was the lone beam of positivity in potential final game
It’s only fitting that in maybe the Giants’ worst game of the season, with the result decided three innings in, that Hunter Pence would still find a way to bring joy to the game. While the game collapsed around him, Pence, in what may well be his final game.
Since Pence came to the Giants in 2012, he is 3rd in home runs with 93, 3rd in hits with 758 and 3rd in runs with 387.
He began the game with his classic ritual, going into right field with a young fan and waving to the Giants’ faithful. After the fan left, Pence shed his cap and alone waved to the Giants fans around him, as he was showered with cheers.
When he made his first plate appearance, Pence tipped his helmet to the fans, as thousands of orange #GR8FUL signs were raised in the air and fans stood to their feet to cheer on Pence. Watch the video here.
Tiebreakers everywhere
The Dodgers clinched their playoff spot yesterday in a 10-6 win and today, the Giants gave the Colorado Rockies no help whatsoever in securing the National League West Division. The Rockies did, however, look ready to beat the Washington Nationals up 9-0, meaning the Dodgers and Rockies will likely head to Los Angeles for a one-game tiebreaker to see who will win the NL West and who will take the second Wild Card spot.
The interesting part of that Wild Card race is that the Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers entered the day tied and both looked likely to win their respective games (Cubs winning 8-4, Rockies winning 9-0), meaning they will also likely play another game to decide the National League Central Division and first NL Wild Card spots. The loser of that game will play the loser of the Dodgers-Rockies game in the one-game NL Wild Card playoff.
The stats tonight were very, very bad
When you lose by two touchdowns, there’s no real sense in trying to explain what worked and what didn’t. Nothing worked today for the Giants and the stats tell the story.
Dodgers hits: 16
Dodgers runs: 15
Dodgers players with hits: 10
Giants pitchers used: 6
Sarcastic cheers for outs: 2
Giants hits: 2
Dodgers home runs by sub-.200 batters: 1
Dodgers pinch-hit home runs into McCovey Cove: 1
Andy Suarez had a bad day, but a solid rookie season
Suarez was yanked from today’s game after just 2 1/3 innings, having given up six runs, six hits and two walks without a strikeout. His had the most innings (161 2/3) out of any rookie and his ERA finished at 4.49 for the year, a product of his hot-cold year. Sometimes, like in his four six-plus inning shutout performances this year, Suarez showed a surprising dominance. At other times, like tonight, he couldn’t channel his command.
Andrew Suarez's 161 1/3 innings will lead all major-league rookies. Could have affected him last couple of games, but overall a good rookie season. 4.49 ERA will have to come down, but good learning year for him. #SFGiants
— Henry Schulman (@hankschulman) September 30, 2018
It’s over, and change is coming
It’s been a long, slow year. The Giants will finish with the ninth-worst record in the majors at 73-89, but will get the 10th draft pick because the Atlanta Braves didn’t sign their first-round draft pick this year.
#SFGiants will finish with the ninth-worst record in the majors and will get the 10th pick in next year's draft. Atlanta slips in ahead because it did not sign this year's No. 1. Them's the rules. Don't @ me.
— Henry Schulman (@hankschulman) September 30, 2018
That might not be the worst thing in the world though. The last two times the Giants drafted 10th, they got two superstar pitchers:
The last two times the #SFGiants picked 10th, they drafted Madison Bumgarner (2007) and Tim Lincecum (2005). https://t.co/gmHTn8xePA
— Kerry Crowley (@KO_Crowley) September 30, 2018
Before the game, Larry Baer, Brian Sabean and Bruce Bochy addressed media about an underwhelming year and how the organization will approach its search to replace the recently-fired general manager Bobby Evans.
Bochy said he views Steven Duggar as the team’s opening-day starter in center field, said Austin Slater will need to change his approach at the plate, and Buster Posey is expected to remain behind the dish when he returns.
A couple #SFGiants personnel nuggets:
–Duggar is viewed as the opening day center fielder.
–Posey is set on catching in 2019 and there has been zero discussion about transitioning him.
–Slater has to change his approach. He will rehab a strained flexor and mild UCL sprain.— Andrew Baggarly (@extrabaggs) September 30, 2018
Finally, Sabean said what’s been obvious all year; the team hasn’t been good enough. To read about what the offseason GM search might look like, click here.
Baer/Sabean/Bochy met with reporters, expressed disappointment about season and lineup never being healthy or together. Sabean: “But we’re not making excuses. The roster wasn’t strong enough.”
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) September 30, 2018