Strikeouts continue to pile up as Giants' skid hits five games originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
The Giants struck out 16 times on Opening Day and followed that up with a 13-strikeout game and a 12-strikeout game. It was a disturbing early trend, but Gabe Kapler preached patience, pointing out how early it was.
It's still early, but it's not that early, and the trend line isn't getting any better. With a dozen more strikeouts in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Miami Marlins, the Giants have now hit double-digits 10 times through 16 games.
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Despite playing fewer games than every other team in the big leagues but one, the Giants lead the way with 177 strikeouts. They're on pace for 1,792, which would shatter the 2021 Chicago Cubs' record of 1,596.
Ten of the strikeouts Tuesday came after the two-run first inning, continuing another disturbing trend. The Giants went 4-for-27 over the final eight innings.
"We have, over the last couple of years, had really good first innings," manager Gabe Kapler told reporters in Miami. "I think one of the ways that we can improve is to keep that fighter, killer mentality in the second through the ninth innings, as well. Not that we don't have it, but that first-inning mentality is one we can repeat over and over and over and be the best version of our offense as possible."
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The Giants did have chances after Jazz Chisholm's game-swinging three-run shot in the fourth, but they struck out in big spots. With the tying run on second in the sixth, David Villar jumped ahead 3-0 but then swung over the top of two breaking balls.
Wilmer Flores led off the ninth with a single off A.J. Puk, but Darin Ruf flew out and Villar and Joey Bart both struck out. Villar's strikeout was his fourth of the day and Bart's gave Giants catchers three strikeouts in four plate appearances.
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The latest light day for the offense was magnified by the latest injury. Alex Wood was pitching well, but his spike caught as he fielded a bunt in the third and he immediately came out of the game. Wood was diagnosed with a left hamstring strain and likely will go on the IL.
"For not ever having anything like this before, I don't think it's that bad, but it's just hard to say," Wood said. "We'll get it checked out tomorrow. I think as far as hamstrings go, I don't think it's that bad, but it definitely grabbed. We'll see how I wake up tomorrow and we'll get it checked out and see where we go from there."
