SAN FRANCISCO — Things have become so bad for the San Francisco Giants that Bruce Bochy is second-guessing his own managerial decisions. Madison Bumgarner is lost for any explanation as to why the San Francisco Giants have been so inconsistent in the second half.
Everybody knows one thing: There isn’t much time left and there must be an immediate turnaround to become a playoff team. When you’re losing and trying to hold on, scoreboard watching can be excruciating.
Bumgarner (14-9) missed a chance at his milestone 100th career win and the Giants wasted another chance for a potential push in the NL West, losing to the San Diego Padres 3-1 on Wednesday to be swept by the division’s second-to-last-place club.
“This was a big series. They’re all big,” Bochy said. “…You take responsibility when things aren’t going well. It’s always on your mind … something you could have done a little bit differently. It’s human nature. I think every manager or coach will tell you that. We wear it pretty hard.”
The division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Yankees later Wednesday, increasing their division lead to five games. On Tuesday night, San Francisco’s bullpen blew a three-run lead in the ninth and the Giants failed to gain ground.
Now, they must regroup to host St. Louis for an important four-game set starting Thursday night among playoff contenders and wild-card candidates. San Francisco has won the World Series in every even year this decade: 2010, ‘12 and ‘14.
“There’s a lot of pressure this time of year,” Bumgarner said. “It’s more of a mindset this time of year.”
Luis Perdomo (8-9) allowed one run in 6 1/3 innings of four-hit ball. He struck out five with one walk. The 23-year-old right-hander who the Padres acquired in the Rule 5 draft from the Cardinals has given up three runs or fewer in 11 of his last 15 starts.
Brandon Maurer finished for his 10th save.
It was the same story for San Francisco of late with missed opportunities and mistakes.
Trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the eighth, San Francisco’s Denard Span was picked off trying to get back to first after drawing a two-out walk.
Span’s base-running blunder was the Giants’ second on the day. Brandon Belt was doubled up at second base in the bottom of the second on Conor Gillaspie’s liner to first.
Bumgarner, the 2014 World Series MVP, allowed seven hits and three runs, all earned, with five strikeouts and two walks in 6 2/3 innings.
When he takes his next turn, the lefty again would try to become the third-youngest Giants pitcher reach 100 victories.
Luis Sardinas had an RBI single among his three hits for San Diego, while Wil Myers added a double.
The Giants lost their sixth straight to San Diego — outscored 29-15 — after winning the initial nine matchups of 2016.
San Francisco was swept by the Padres for the second time this season, after dropping three in a row at Petco Park to begin the second half. San Diego earned its first sweep at AT&T Park since May 2010.
“It’s not this big macro statement about where we are in the season and what we’re trying to accomplish,” Padres manager Andy Green said. “It’s not playing spoiler or anything like that.”
