Giants' bullpen game magic evaporates vs. Angels

ANAHEIM -- Bullpenning has typically been a recipe for success for the Giants this year, but the tactic didn’t bear the expected fruit on Tuesday night.

Opener Scott Alexander faced three batters without recording an out in the first inning, sinking the Giants into an early four-run hole that proved too deep to overcome in a 7-5 loss to the Angels at Angel Stadium.

Alexander, who got his fifth starting assignment of the year, surrendered a leadoff double to Luis Rengifo, an RBI single to Shohei Ohtani and another single to Brandon Drury before being lifted in favor of right-hander Jakob Junis. It was the first time a Giants pitcher failed to record an out in a start since June 15, 2021, when former reliever Zack Littell also faltered while serving as an opener.

Junis couldn’t stop the bleeding, as he gave up an RBI single to Mike Moustakas, followed by a two-out, two-run double to Hunter Renfroe that stretched the Angels’ lead to 4-0. Three of the runs were charged to Alexander, whose ERA rose from 3.21 to 4.01 following the rough outing.

“He was just leaving the ball up a little bit,” manager Gabe Kapler said. “Some good hitters over there taking some good swings.”

Despite falling behind early, the Giants managed to cut the deficit to 4-3 after Joc Pederson and Wilmer Flores delivered back-to-back run-scoring singles off right-hander Lucas Giolito in the third. Still, the Angels tacked on a pair of insurance runs against left-hander Alex Wood, with Drury slugging a solo shot in the fifth and Moustakas adding a sacrifice fly two innings later.

Flores again brought the Giants within one by slugging his 15th home run of the year -- a two-run blast off old friend Dominic Leone in the eighth -- but it proved to be too little, too late for San Francisco, which fell to 15-6 in bullpen games this year.

“It’s always challenging to play from behind,” Kapler said. “In particular, I think, because the opposing pitcher is going to have a little more confidence with a cushion. And even though you’re scratching and clawing your way back in, he’s going to maintain that confidence as long as he has a lead. I think that makes it more challenging.”

Flores, who celebrated his 32nd birthday on Sunday, knocked in four of the Giants’ five runs while extending his on-base streak to a career-high 19 games. He’s been one of the Giants’ only consistent bats in recent weeks, batting .406 (28-for-69) with seven homers and 15 RBIs since July 16.

“He’s been phenomenal for us for several months now,” Kapler said. “But everybody around here knows that it isn’t just a new thing that’s popped up recently. It’s who he’s been for us as a Giant.”

The Giants were hoping the addition of outfielder AJ Pollock would help deepen their lineup, but the 35-year-old veteran exited Tuesday’s game after two innings due to left side discomfort. Pollock, who was acquired from the Mariners at the Trade Deadline, said he felt some tightness after making a throw from center field, prompting the Giants to send rookie Luis Matos to pinch-hit for him in the third.

Pollock’s latest injury concern came only a week after he returned from the injured list after missing time with a left hamstring strain. He said he expected to be reevaluated prior to Wednesday night’s series finale, though it’s worth noting that the Giants pulled infield prospect Marco Luciano, another right-handed hitter, out of Triple-A Sacramento’s lineup after two at-bats on Tuesday.

“It’s been frustrating, to say the least,” Pollock said. “A lot of things have been frustrating, but what are you going to do? You just keep moving forward and you keep working. That’s all you’ve got to do.”