Imagine climbing an extremely tall mountain, and the sense of accomplishment that comes with reaching the top. Then imagine that in your haste to celebrate your accomplishment, you fail to notice a trip hazard in front of you, and you trip and fall flat on your face. And then do it again. And again.
So it has been for the Giants on their current road trip, where a three-game sweep of the Atlanta Braves has led to a four-game sweep at the hands of the Philadelphia Philies.
After featuring a prolific offense against the Braves, the Giants were unable to crack three runs in any game against the Phillies. And despite getting three early runs in Thursday’s game, the Giants were unable to hold the lead, and lost 6-3.
The Giants’ struggles on offense during this series often coincided with digging themselves an early hole. But in Thursday’s game, that was not the issue. Gregor Blanco led off the game with a solo home run, and Alen Hanson followed suit with a two-run home run in the second to put the Giants up 3-0. But in the fourth, Giants starter Ty Blach gave up an RBI single to Rhys Hoskins and a three-run home run to Carlos Santana, putting the Phillies up 4-3.
The Giants had a chance to answer in the fifth, but Brandon Crawford’s two-out double was wasted, as Evan Longoria flied out to right to end the inning.
Blach got back into trouble in the fifth, allowing two singles to Vince Velasquez and Cesar Hernandez. After getting Aaron Altherr to ground into a forceout at third, Blach was lifted for Will Smith, who gave up an RBI single to Odubel Herrera before retiring the side.
The Giants were never able to challenge the Phillies’ pitching again. The Phillies added on in the seventh with another Herrera RBI single
The Giants surely can’t wait to leave Philadelphia, and they will get their wish, as they start a series with the Pittsburgh Pirates Friday. Andrew Suarez (1-1, 3.06 ERA) is expected to start for the Giants, while Jamison Taillon (2-3, 4.42 ERA) is expected to start for the Pirates.
