BALTIMORE -- Giants starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz was at a loss for words. Manager Bruce Bochy tersely said he needs a little distance from this game to say any important words.
Pomeranz, a veteran left-hander brought in over the offseason, got knocked around so hard while coughing up such a big lead Friday that it's hard to see him making his next start, or another one anytime soon. Asked about the possibility after a 9-6 loss to the Orioles, Bochy said the staff would discuss the rotation. But it was not hard to read between the lines.
Bochy went out of his way to compliment Dereck Rodriguez, who followed Pomeranz's 1 1/3 innings with 4 2/3 sharp ones and could return to the rotation next week. He also praised Orioles starter Andrew Cashner for reaching down and getting through five innings.
Cashner had given up five runs in a lengthy top of the first. Pomeranz immediately gave up six in the bottom of the inning.
"It's been pretty s---ty the last few for whatever reason," Pomeranz said. "I'm not really sure what to say exactly. It's been pretty frustrating."
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Pomeranz already was having a month that can knock one out of a rotation or off the roster, and the Giants put him on the injured list for 13 days between poor starts. In three previous starts in May, Pomeranz lasted just nine total innings and allowed 14 earned runs. Friday was a new low.
The Giants staked Pomeranz to a 5-0 lead with their best first-inning rally of the year. It held up for about the length of time it takes to get a chicken sandwich and stale waffle fries at Camden Yards. Pomeranz walked two and allowed three singles as the Orioles got a pair back, and with two outs and the bases loaded, Dwight Smith Jr. took him deep to right-center.
The Orioles led by a run after a wild first inning in with Pomeranz and Andrew Cashner combined for 90 pitches.
"That's hard to take for us," Bochy said. "That's been an issue for us and we go out and have our biggest first inning. You'd like to enjoy it for a little while. It lasted about 10 minutes. That's frustrating for the guys."
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Cashner settled in. Pomeranz never did. He gave up a two-run blast with one out in the second before Bochy had seen enough, calling for Rodriguez, the current long reliever. Pomeranz walked off the mound with an 8.08 ERA. He has lasted more than five innings just once in 10 starts.
"We'll sit on this," Bochy said, "And talk about what we're going to do."
