Tonight's effort was by far the worst.
After a 13 inning affair made it into the 14th still knotted at 1-1 the Giants broke open the game with three runs in the top half of the frame and looked as if they could split in Colorado and leave Coors still only two back in the wild card.
But the bullpen imploded - and they really have been good - and nothing was worse than the bases loaded walk to Rockies reliever Adam Eaton (his first at-bat of the season) that set up Ryan Spilborghs walk-off grand slam.
The Giants led in every game in this series but only managed to win the opener. They were up 6-1 before surrendering 13 unanswered on Saturday night.
They led 2-0 with Lincecum on the hill and not yielding a hit until the 6th before losing 4-2 on Sunday.
Then there was tonight, the low point of the season by a landslide.
*****
I have said it here before but I will say it again. The Giants ineptitude is magnified and maddening because the routinely make it worse.
They don't move runners over, they don't take the extra base, they don't hit sac flies - hell they can't sacrifice at all.
For a team with limited opportunities they find a way to always make the least of them and that's why they are in serious danger of falling out of the playoff race.
Better defense wouldn't hurt either.
****
Let's give credit where credit is due. Barry Zito has been tremendous since the All-Star break. Everyone was calling for his head after he got shelled against San Diego in the first-half finale.
But Z has a 1.88 ERA in 8 starts since the midsummer classic giving up two earned runs or less in seven of those outings and never more than three.
He has lowered his ERA almost a full run (from 5.01 to 4.09) and would have a much better record if the Giants ever scored when he was on the hill.
****
Things don't get any easier for the black and orange on Tuesday. While the Giants trot out Matt Cain, the Diamondbacks counter with their stellar ace Dan Haren.
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