After playing a stretch of high-intensity games, the San Francisco Giants finally gave out in most areas.
They were challenged defensively, walked too many batters and didn’t hit enough when it mattered most.
In their biggest game of the season, they put forth one of their worst efforts during a 7-4 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers that dropped them 2 1/2 games behind their arch rivals in the National League West, teetering on the brink of elimination as the division race enters its final week.
Sunday’s loss also prevented them from climbing over the Cubs into the NL wild-card lead. Though they remained a half-game behind, the Giants have to finish the season on the road at San Diego and Los Angeles, while the Cubs finish with seven at home, four against the weak Cincinnati Reds and three against an Atlanta Braves team that might be getting its rotation in line for the postseason.
It doesn’t look good.
“Bad game,” manager Felipe Alou said.
The umpires had a bad game, too, though you wonder if a questionable call at third base by Doug Eddings actually cost the Giants a victory. Eddings may have goofed, too, when he didn’t call out J.T. Snow in the ninth on what was ruled a check swing, incurring the wrath of closer Eric Gagne.
Perhaps too many playoff-atmosphere games had taken a toll on the Giants.
“I can say that today was probably one of the most mentally challenging, exhausting games I’ve seen since I’ve been here,” Snow said.
“The last three days, this series has been the most emotionally challenging I’ve played in ever since I’ve been here. It was grinding.”
Second baseman Ray Durham, right fielder Michael Tucker and center fielder Marquis Grissom all made errors, with Grissom’s ending his 169-game errorless streak dating to late last season.
“The guys just looked tired,” Alou said.
Brett Tomko, who had not lost since July 29, looked ordinary, ending his six-game stretch in which he was 5-0 with a 1.21 ERA. Tomko allowed a two-run homer to Jayson Werth in the first inning after Durham began the game with an error.
Barry Bonds’ 703rd career homer gave the Giants a 3-2 lead in the third, but the Dodgers scored solo runs in the fourth and fifth innings.
With the Giants’ chances for the division title shrinking, their best avenue to the postseason appears to be the wild card.
“No one is throwing in the towel,” Snow said. “Until they put X, Y or Z or whatever they put next to your name when you’re officially out of it, that’s when we’ll worry about it.”
Perfect ending?
The Cubs still hold their fate in their hands, but now they need to go 7-0 to guarantee themselves of the NL wild-card spot. What if the Giants, Dodgers and Cubs end up in a tie after 162 games? The Giants and Dodgers would play on Monday, Oct. 4, for the West Division title. The loser would play the Cubs for the wild-card spot on Tuesday, Oct. 5.
CUBS
RECORD: 87-68 – In the lead
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REMAINING: 7 home
Season record against remaining opponents:
Cincinnati: 8-5 – Atlanta: 2-1
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
RECORD: 87-69 – 1/2 game out
REMAINING: 6 away
Season record against remaining opponents:
San Diego: 5-11 – Los Angeles: 7-9
HOUSTON ASTROS
RECORD: 86-70 – 1 1/2 games out
REMAINING: 6 home
Season record against remaining opponents:
St. Louis: 7-8 – Colorado: 2-1
SAN DIEGO PADRES
RECORD: 85-71 – 2 1/2 games out
REMAINING: 3 home, 3 away
Season record against remaining opponents:
San Francisco: 11-5 – Arizona: 11-5
See microfilm for complete graphic.