San Francisco Giants: Ervin Santana Defeats the Giants by Himself

The San Francisco Giants have been struggling to find wins and coming home didn’t help. The Minnesota Twins defeated the Giants 4-0 behind great pitching and hitting by Ervin Santana.

Matt Moore struggled, allowing four runs over six innings as the Giants continue to search for answers in what is increasingly feeling like a lost season. Moore’s ERA is now 5.28.

If the Giants are going to turn it around, they are going to need more from Moore, who has been solid at home and miserable on the road so far this year. However, he was unable to pitch well enough tonight to battle for the win.

The main reason was the sensational performance from Santana, who pitched a complete game shutout and continued his excellent 2017 season. He also had the biggest hit of the night with a bases clearing double in the fourth inning.

More from Around the Foghorn

• SF Giants: Kervin Castro bolsters bullpen with promotion
• Brother of SF Giants prospect makes long-awaited MLB debut
• Podcast: SF Giants face off against Dodgers amidst workers strike vote
• SF Giants force strike vote by refusing to help concession workers
• SF Giants place Alex Dickerson on IL, recall Mauricio Dubón

Santana is first in all of baseball in batting average against, hits allowed per nine innings, and shutouts. Tonight was the first time he had faced the Giants in his career and he certainly made it a memorable one.

Brandon Belt went 0-4 to drop his average to .231. Hunter Pence went 0-3 to drop his average to .234. Brandon Crawford went 1-3 to raise his average to .253. If the Giants are going to ever turn this season around, they need more from three of their best hitters.

The Giants now falls to 25-38 and remain in fourth place in the National League West. They will hope for a turnaround tomorrow as one of their hottest pitchers, Jeff Samardzija toes the rubber. In his last seven starts, the “Shark” has 59 strikeouts and only one walk.

According to Elias Sports Bureau, it is the first time a pitcher has struck out 50 or more with 1 walk or less over a seven start period.

Next: Giants Salvage Split in Getaway Win vs Brewers

The Giants will certainly need his pitching if they are going to even the series against the Minnesota Twins.