SAN FRANCISCO -- It seemed odd when relief pitcher Trevor Gott started warming up in the fourth inning of a close game Tuesday night, until you realized that Ty Blach was sitting in the Giants dugout.
No Giant has had more success against the Dodgers over the last few years than Blach, who was recalled Tuesday, and it certainly appeared the Giants had him lined up for a significant role. Blach did end up throwing 66 pitches, but not for the right reasons.
The lefty entered with a 1.88 ERA in 57 1/3 career innings against the Dodgers but gave up six runs in his first frame of the season as the Giants lost 10-3. If the plan was to have Blach carry a heavy load in a win, it blew up quickly. Instead, he hit "wear it" territory, throwing 3 1/3 innings to try to save a bullpen that included several players who needed the night off.
Blach may be removed from the roster as soon as Wednesday. He was here for the series, and the Giants reportedly are calling up catcher Stephen Vogt, who could take that roster spot Wednesday and then possibly stay in place of Erik Kratz moving forward.
Another move is expected Friday, with the Giants tentatively lining Tyler Beede up to start against the Reds. Beede would join a staff that's unexpectedly reeling. In five home games against the Yankees and Dodgers, the Giants have given up 36 runs.
Manager Bruce Bochy said he's not concerned.
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"You look at the first series (against the Yankees) and the starters had a tough go," Bochy said. "We played well (Monday) and it just got away from us in the sixth inning (Tuesday). I think overall we're fine. These guys are not tired."
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--- Last night was one of those nights when you wonder how much longer Buster Posey will be allowed to catch. He took a wicked foul tip for the second straight game, this one appearing to ricochet off both legs and possibly somewhere else. Posey was pulled after the six-run inning but Bochy said he's fine.
--- First base umpire Tim Timmons was 100 percent sure that David Freese's opposite-field shot against Drew Pomeranz had cleared the brick wall, immediately twirling his finger to signal home run. Replays showed the ball only cleared by about an inch, and in the moment it looked like Timmons had escaped disaster. There was a Dodger hung up between third and home and two between first and second as he signaled that it was a home run and Steven Duggar tried to throw the ball in. Had he been wrong, that would have been a disaster.
But Timmons made a hell of a call, probably for the same reason the Giants didn't use a challenge.
"We heard it hit the tin," Bochy said. "It's a dreaded sound when it's from the other side."
Bochy said the Giants still double-checked the broadcast feed to confirm that they should not challenge. Give credit to Timmons, though. We complain about umpires a lot, but he made the right and difficult call in the moment and never wavered.
