MIAMI — The San Francisco Giants recently faced a stretch where runs proved hard to come by, yet their impressive pitching staff ensured opponents experienced similar struggles in the run-scoring department.
At the close of May, the Giants boasted a leading 2.64 ERA in the major leagues, having endured a 14-game period without surpassing four runs scored.
This storyline persisted during their series against the Miami Marlins, from which they emerged victorious in two out of three games in South Florida. San Francisco (33-26) only hit that four-run benchmark once, highlighting a 4-2 triumph on Sunday, while effectively holding the Marlins to a total of three runs throughout the series.
“Securing a series win on the road is certainly something to feel good about,” commented Giants manager Bob Melvin. “Especially given our recent scoring woes. We’ll gladly take it, though it’d be nice for our offense to have a breakout and add some comfort in these games.”
In Sunday’s game, Wilmer Flores contributed an RBI with a groundout in the third inning, while Luis Matos delivered a critical three-run homer in the fourth. These represented the extent of San Francisco’s scoring, despite accumulating eight hits.
Matos’ blast, his fourth this season, extended the lead to 4-0, effectively providing the Giants the edge necessary to withstand Miami’s late-game efforts.
“With our recent scoring patterns, Matos’ homer felt monumental at that moment,” Melvin remarked. “We had to fight hard until the end. It would be ideal not to constantly engage in such tight games, but it was a crucial swing from someone who consistently puts in the work. His number was called on a day like this, and he delivered the game’s most pivotal swing.”
Although the pitching was solid throughout the May stretch, their standout performance held strong in the Miami series, even with the absence of Justin Verlander, a three-time Cy Young Award winner sidelined due to a strained right pectoral muscle.
The Giants opened the matchup shutting out Miami, with Kyle Harrison providing five efficient innings in his second start since joining the rotation due to Verlander’s injury. Though they fell 1-0 on Saturday, the Giants limited the Marlins to a mere three hits.
Hayden Birdsong, another pitcher shifting from the bullpen to start, restricted the Marlins to two hits over five innings on Sunday before conceding three in the sixth. San Francisco’s bullpen maintained the narrow win as five relievers contained Miami, allowing just one run thereafter.
The recorded 2.64 ERA in May marks the Giants’ best monthly figure since they achieved a 1.91 ERA in September and October of 2010. Yet their struggle persists on the offensive end, having managed only 30 runs in their past 14 games.
The last instance of San Francisco experiencing a 14-game streak of scoring four or fewer runs within a single season dates back to 1976, enduring a 15-game stretch.
“The runs will eventually come. We’re hitting well; it’s about finding that one crucial swing late for separation,” Birdsong asserted. “Our play is good; keeping games tight early on will lead to successful outcomes.”