Giants bullpen blows chance at first four-game winning streak in loss to Marlins

MIAMI — A ballclub is only as good as its bullpen, so it should come as no surprise, then, what a difficulty it has been for the Giants to build any semblance of momentum this season.Just when they seemed to be on the verge of winning their fourth game in a row for the first time all year, they were sent right back to the starting line.Again.The tailspin in a 4-3 loss to the Marlins started as soon as Landen Roupp left the game.Sam Hentges, taking over in relief to begin the seventh inning, hit Estuary Ruiz to put the speedy pinch-hitter on base to lead off and allowed the second batter of the inning to reach, too.Rather than protecting the one-run lead handed over by Roupp, Hentges allowed both runners to score, flipping the score in favor of Miami.

Leadoff man Liam Hicks laced a single through the right side of the infield and Owen Cassie, a triple away from the cycle, sent a deep sac fly to left.The runs proved to be decisive in the Giants’ seventh loss in 30 games when leading after six innings.Roupp had put the Giants in position to build on Wednesday’s doubleheader sweep with a bounceback performance.He surrendered a solo home run to Cassie in the first inning but only allowed one more run the rest of the way while completing six innings.

California's top news, sports and entertainment delivered to your inbox every day.Please provide a valid email.

By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story Their bats didn’t necessarily hold up their end of the bargain.Traffic was no trouble for either team, as Roupp allowed runners to reach in all six of his innings and the Giants put six men on in the first three innings against a bullpen game from the Marlins.Daniel Susac came a few feet shy of a grand slam that would have been his first career home run, but he settled for a long sacrifice fly that ended up as the only run the Giants were able to cash in from their...