SF Giants' bullpen falters at finish line, blows lead in ninth to Rockies

SAN FRANCISCO - The San Francisco Giants' bullpen was three outs away from one of its best collective performances of the year.

Dylan Smith escaped a bases-loaded, no-out situation in the sixth. Keaton Winn, making his return from the injured list, recorded two outs, and lefty Sam Hentges recorded the next four. The efforts of Smith and Winn and Hentges set the table for Caleb Kilian, the closer, to protect a one-run lead in the ninth.

Then, as has happened so often this season, things fell apart.

Kilian faced four batters and didn't retire a single one. Kyle Karros, who hit a 471-foot go-ahead homer against San Francisco last week, gave the Colorado Rockies the lead on a two-run, broken-bat single. Instead of squeaking out a one-run win on Friday at Oracle Park, the Giants returned to their clubhouse with a gutting 4-3 loss, Kilian responsible for San Francisco's 12th blown save.

The game did not end without some weirdness in the bottom of the ninth.

With one out and runners on first and second, Casey Schmitt hit a line drive at center fielder Cole Carrigg. Carrigg dove and appeared to make the catch, causing Grant McCray to retreat to second and Luis Arraez to go back to first.

None of the umpires, however, signaled that Carrigg made the catch. Carrigg threw the ball back to the infield, and the Rockies tagged McCray and Arraez. Manager Tony Vitello instantly leapt out of the dugout to discuss the call, and the umpires went to review.

Following a very confusing couple of minutes, replay review determined that Carrigg did not catch the ball. Schmitt was awarded a single, and the bases were loaded with one out for the heart of the order

Rafael Devers brought the Giants within one run with a sacrifice fly, but brought the Giants one out away from defeat. Willy Adames loaded the bases by drawing a walk, bringing Bryce Eldridge to the plate with another opportunity to play the hero, but Eldridge grounded out to end the ballgame.

Not to be lost in the loss was Smith's performance in the sixth.

Starter Robbie Ray walked the first three batters he faced in the sixth, gifting the Rockies a free bases-loaded rally with the score tied at one apiece. With no margin for error, Smith retired all three batters he faced to maintain the tie, receiving a well-deserved hug from Ray when he got back to the dugout.

Thanks to Smith, Ray finished his day having allowed just one run over five-plus innings despite totaling more walks (six) than strikeouts (five).

Rafael Devers hit his 19th home run of the season and reached base four times, while Arraez recorded his 11th three-hit game of the season and stole his team-leading eighth base.

Worth noting

Before the game, the Giants announced that they had activated Winn from the 15-day injured list and optioned lefty Carson Whisenhunt to Triple-A Sacramento.

Whisenhunt, who allowed two runs over 5 2/3 innings on Thursday, was unlikely to get another start in the first half, but the 25-year-old rookie should get plenty of starts in the second half assuming the team trades Ray.

While Winn is coming off the injured list, outfielder Victor Bericoto was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain. In a corresponding move, the Giants recalled outfielder McCray from Sacramento, the first time he's been with the team this season.

Additionally, the Giants announced that third baseman Matt Chapman (abdominal strain) will not participate in baseball activities this weekend, meaning he will not return until the second half. Last week, manager Tony Vitello expressed optimism that Chapman would be able to return before the end of the first half.

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This story was originally published July 11, 2026 at 2:24 AM.