San Francisco Giants shut out by New York Mets with late-inning runs; 7th consecutive loss for the Giant

Jul 6, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Chris Heston (53) is relieved in the eighth inning of their MLB baseball game with the New York Mets at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports

There’s some good news and some bad news. Then there’s the really awful news.

First, the good news: although he didn’t pitch a no-hitter against the Mets–like he did the last time he faced them–Chris Heston kept the Mets scoreless through seven and a third.

Manager Bruce Bochy took him out if the game in the eighth with one out and two men on base. Javier Looez and Sergio Romo finished up the eighth while still keeping the Mets scoreless.

The bad news is the Mets starting pitcher, Jon Niese, pitched a scoreless eight innings too.

Now for the really awful news. Romo returned in the ninth inning and gave up two hits. Bochy replaced Romo with Santiago Casilla who was recently given a few days rest because of arm fatigue.

“…we definitely gotta tighten up this bullpen and get back to who we are…”

With two men on and no outs, Casilla gave up a pair of hits, Romo’s base runners scored along with one of Casilla’s. Apparently Casilla’s arm is still tired. Jean Machi took the ball next. He faced two hitters and got both out to end the inning.

The Giants bullpen has always been one of the Giants greatest strengths, but they’ve been struggling lately. When asked if he was concerned about the bullpen, Bochy replied: “…we definitely gotta tighten up this bullpen and get back to who we are…”

The Giants went scoreless in the ninth as the Mets completed the shut out. The final score was Giants 0, Mets 3

The Giants losing streak climbs to seven consecutive games.

But there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Hunter Pence has been taking batting practice. Maybe he’ll be back soon? I hope so.