What we learned as Ray’s first-inning disaster dooms Giants vs. Braves originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – After back-to-back one-run losses in 10 innings, things got much worse for the Giants on Wednesday night in front of their home fans at Oracle Park, losing 13-2 to the Atlanta Braves.
The game was out of reach six batters in, when the Giants already trailed 5-0. Starting pitcher Robbie Ray’s night ended two batters later. Though Ray only gave up one hit, his control problems and a blast into the water put the Giants in a deficit they couldn’t come back from.
Through the first four innings, the Giants had five hits and the Braves had three. But every hit the Braves had was a home run, and the Giants already were down 7-1. The Braves wound up with four homers on the night.
This marks the first series the Giants have lost since dropping three of four to the Los Angeles Dodgers from July 22 through July 25. The Giants had won or split five straight series.
Here are three takeaways from the Giants’ fourth loss in a row.
Ray’s Disastrous First Inning
The last time Ray stepped foot on the mound, the veteran left-hander threw six innings and hurled 105 pitches – both highs since his return from Tommy John surgery. Ray hadn’t thrown six or more innings since Sept. 22, 2022, and his 105 pitches were his most since tossing on Aug. 10 of that year.
Wednesday’s start was a bit shorter, and far uglier.
Ray needed 39 pitches to record two outs in the first inning before being pulled by manager Bob Melvin. He already had allowed five earned runs and watched one ball sail into McCovey Cove. In order, here’s how the night went: Hit by pitch, hit by pitch, strikeout, walk, walk (run scored), grand slam, strikeout and walk. The outing was tied for Ray’s shortest of his career.
Both of Ray’s hit batsmen to begin the game started in a 1-2 hole. So did Ray’s first walk, issued to Matt Olson. Orlando Arcia, Ray’s second walk, was down 0-2 immediately. All three of Ray’s walks, and the two batters he hit, had two strikes on them.
Michael Harris II, who has missed the past two months to injury, took the second pitch he saw and launched a hanging knuckle curve 423 feet into the water. It was the second Splash Hit of the 2024 MLB season, and the first by an opposing team.
McCray’s MLB Debut
What was a catastrophic top of the first inning ended with a routine fly ball to rookie center fielder Grant McCray in his MLB debut. He…