Exactly a year ago, the Giants beat the Padres, 11-4, to clinch the 2021 National League West title.
Logan Webb struck out eight and hit an iconic home run. There were champagne showers, hugs and kisses on the field, silver bullet Coors Light bottles, celebratory t-shirts. That’s what a team can buy with 107 wins.
Every game last September had playoff intensity for the Giants last year. They dethroned the Dodgers in the division for the first time since 2012 by edging them out by a single victory.
When the Giants and Padres met Monday, this time in Petco Park, the stakes couldn’t have been different. One team is headed to the postseason, the other is the Giants.
And after a seven-inning stalemate, the Padres and Giants played like their standings suggest they should. A disaster of an eighth inning doomed San Francisco (80-80) in a 7-4 defeat, even with a minor ninth-inning rally. The Giants must win their final two games in San Diego to finish over .500.
While the Giants of last year surged to the pennant, these ones will limp into the offseason. Evan Longoria fractured his thumb, ending his 15th season. Webb got shut down to manage his workload, and co-ace Carlos Rodón should follow suit. Brandon Belt underwent knee surgery a month ago. Tommy La Stella never got going after undergoing not one but two Achilles operations. Anthony DeSclafani’s right ankle never cooperated with him.
Yet there were still pieces left on Monday that will likely factor into next year.
John Brebbia, under team control until 2024, made his 10th start of the year and maintained his spotless ERA as an opener.
Sean Hjelle submitted a new audition tape with five scoreless innings. The 6-foot-11 righty struck out eight and touched 96.8 mph on the gun — over three ticks above his average — in his best outing to date.
The last Giants reliever to fan at least eight batters in a game before Hjelle was Drew Smyly in 2020. Aside from one blow-up against the Dodgers, Hjelle has performed at a valiant level for SF.
Promising rookie David Villar, whom Gabe Kapler has routinely tabbed a big piece of San Francisco’s future, slapped the Giants’ first hit of the night in the fifth inning. The home finale hero finished 2-for-3 with a hit-by-pitch.
Shelby Miller, who resurrected his career in September, allowed his first run as a Giant — then three more. Miller hadn’t walked a batter with San Francisco before the eighth inning in which he walked two (plus an intentional walk) and surrendered two doubles.
Jarlin García couldn’t rescue him, and allowed a two-run shot to Wil Myers. After seven scoreless innings, the Padres put up a seven-spot.
A combination of timely singles and wildness from Tim Hill allowed San Francisco to bring the go-ahead run to the plate against Josh Hader in the top of the ninth, but the rally expired. J.D. Davis flew out to the warning track to leave the bases loaded.
Nobody expected a 2021-esque celebration. But the high-fives and hugs a miraculous ninth-inning rally would have inspired escaped SF, too.
Much can change in a year. This season proved how steep a club can fall. After two more games, the Giants will get a chance to see how high they can climb for 2023.
