SF Giants might need to make a change to coaching staff after latest debacle

SF Giants third base coach Matt Williams made another highly questionable send on Wednesday that resulted in an out at home plate. Too much focus has been on him lately, and it is fair to wonder whether Bob Melvin needs to shake up the staff.

SF Giants might need to make a change to coaching staff after latest debacle

It bears mentioning that the loss does not sit squarely on Williams' shoulders. The Giants offense continues to struggles, as it has only scored seven runs through the first two games of the series.

At 33-45, the Miami Marlins are a very beatable team. Instead, the Giants have lost the series due in large part to a lack of offense. These are the types of series that teams look back on at the end of the year when they wonder why they do not have enough wins for the playoffs.

Unfortunately, the lack of offense creates very little margin for error and magnifies every decision made by the coaching staff. On Wednesday, Patrick Bailey hit a soft line drive to left field with runners on second base and third base, and only one out in the bottom of the ninth inning.

The lead runner scored with ease. Third base coach Matt Williams waved Jung Hoo Lee home from second base. Before Lee even rounded third base, left fielder Kyle Stowers had scooped up the ball and was in throwing motion to make the play at home plate. Stowers' throw was not particularly strong or accurate.

The Marlins catcher had time to get the ball and make the tag on Lee. It was a close play due in large part to a poor throw by the outfielder. Williams was hoping for the Marlins' defense to make a mistake, and that did not quite happen.

Instead, the Giants recorded the second out at home plate rather than having runners at the corners with only one out. The Giants would go on to lose that game by a score of 8-5 in extra innings, but it was the play that stands out.

The Marlins gifted the Giants a late rally in the ninth inning by hitting two players and walking the bases loaded. They did tie it up, but they were in the driver's seat to win the game.

Of course, this was not the only questionable send in this series. On Tuesday night, Heliot Ramos laced a double down the left field line with Rafael Devers at first base and two outs. Williams sent waved Devers home, but with a good relay and tag, he was out by several feet.

It was another example of Williams not really having a feel for the situation, leading to an out at home plate. There have been a few too many calls like this with Williams this year, whether it was holding the runner at third base or sending him with the hopes that the defense makes a mistake. When the focus is on the third base coach, it is usually never a good thing, which is why the Giants need to consider making a change. The margin for error is too small, and you need someone to make better judgments in those spots.