SAN FRANCISCO - The Giants hung on by a thread for two days, doing just enough to back strong pitching performances. In the final game of the year against the Diamondbacks, the offense once again fell flat. This time, Dereck Rodriguez wasn't able to play savior.
Rodriguez gave up three runs in five innings. His command was off from the start, and he walked four. The Giants lost 3-1.
"I felt right from the getgo that my fastball command was not there," he said. "As a result I couldn't throw my curveball for strikes. I was pretty much out there with two pitches."
Rodriguez had his shortest start since June 19, when he also went five innings and allowed three runs. He had nine consecutive starts of at least six innings with two or fewer runs, matching Joe Blanton (2005) and Mike Fiers (2012) as the only rookies to pull that off since 1958.
"Really, without his best command tonight, he gives up three runs in five innings. He kept us in the game," manager Bruce Bochy said. "The bullpen did a great job. We just got shut down."
-- Jeff Samardzija saw another shoulder specialist on Wednesday and had another MRI, and again it came back clean. There is no structural damage in Samardzija's right shoulder but he will need to rest a bit more before resuming a throwing program. With a month left in the season, Samardzija's year is almost certainly done, a bummer for both sides, as the Giants hoped to see what he had before entering the offseason.
Samardzija made 10 starts in his third year with the Giants, going 1-5 with a 6.25 ERA. Moving forward, the Giants can only hope that an offseason spent strengthening the shoulder can return Samardzija to his old form.
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-- The Giants won't see Jacob deGrom again, but the pitching matchups this weekend aren't easy. Zack Wheeler, Steven Matz and Noah Syndergaard will go for the Mets, facing Andrew Suarez, Derek Holland and Chris Stratton.
