SF Giants retaliatory pitch backfires pretty badly in disappointing loss to Marlins

The SF Giants have been hit by opposing pitchers a lot lately, and understandably, they are fed up with it. Young pitcher Hayden Birdsong made a retaliatory statement, hitting Otto López in the first inning, and that backfired in a big way in Thursday's 12-5 loss to the Miami Marlins.

SF Giants retaliatory pitch backfires pretty badly in disappointing loss to Marlins

Heliot Ramos has been hit four times in the past 10 games. Casey Schmitt missed Thursday's finale after taking a pitch off his hand in Wednesday's game. Wilmer Flores has been hit three times this month.

The good news is that Schmitt is not expected to miss anymore time after undergoing an X-Ray and CT scan.

Giants hitters are tired of being hit. I think it bears mentioning that there was likely no intent with any Marlins pitcher hitting a Giants hitter. They were trying to throw inside and missed the location. However, there is a responsibility that comes with throwing a pitch inside.

The Giants decided to police what had taken place, and it backfired in a rough way on Thursday. Hayden Birdsong got two quick outs in the first inning, and then hit Otto López with the first pitch of the at-bat. The ball looked like it grazed off López's thigh, and the midsection is usually where intentional pitches are thrown. It had the look and timing of an intentional hit by a pitch.

Marlins manager Clayton McCullough argued with the home plate umpire and was immediately ejected from the game. Both sides were warned. The message was sent. The tiff was over. However, the play extended the inning.

Agustín Ramírez lined a double to left field and Kyle Stowers followed with a three-run home run. Birdsong might have been able to get out of the inning with ease, but the play backfired and the Giants dug themselves into a 3-0 hole.

In the end, the Giants lost by a score of 12-5. They would not have known that in the first inning. They have played in 34 one-run games this year. Over 40 percent of the games they have played in have been decided by one run. There was a good chance that Thursday's game would have been yet another on that list.

The margin for error is small, and they gave up a free 90 feet. Birdsong likely earned some points with the veterans with his move. They had to do something, and I think everyone knew it would come on Thursday. It did, and it backfired badly.