Webb can’t carry Pitcher of the Month momentum into July as SF Giants blown out by Rockies

DENVER — Logan Webb was ace personified in June. He had more starts (five) than runs allowed (three), and he logged at least seven innings in every outing. His efforts culminated in him winning National League Pitcher of the Month, the first time in his career he’s earned the honor.

A repeat performance in July isn’t in the cards.

The seven runs that Webb allowed on Friday night at Coors Field were tied for the most he’s allowed in a single outing. The 11 hits that he surrendered were, too, his single-game worst. His outing lasted all of three innings, his shortest start in nearly three years. And his ERA, which he has worked so hard to trim following a poor start to the season, jumped up by 57 points.

This start, one which set the tone for the Giants’ 15-3 blowout loss to the Colorado Rockies, will go down as one of the worst of his career. And with this loss, San Francisco, Colorado and the New York Mets are tied for the fewest wins (36) in the National League.

“Just got my (butt) kicked today,” Webb said following the Giants’ fourth loss of at least 10 runs this season.

And while Coors Field isn’t exactly a pitcher’s paradise, the two-time All-Star would not use the altitude as an excuse for his poor outing.

“This place sucks to pitch in no matter what, so if you have any excuses going into it or after it, then that’s on you,” Webb said.

One wrinkle in Webb’s outing was that he threw 30 cutters against the Rockies, the most he’s thrown in a single outing. When asked about the usage, Webb pointed out that Colorado’s offense was zeroed in on his sinker.

“I think the first four sinkers I threw were hit, so I think that was trying to probably change it up a little bit,” Webb said.

“Just some big misses,” said manager Tony Vitello. “Just one of those outings for him.”

Webb’s start began on the wrong foot when his very first pitch of the night — and of the month— cleared the right-center field wall. Webb started the Rockies’ Jake McCarthy with a first-pitch sinker, and McCarthy sent the offering into the Rockies’ bullpen. The estimated distance: 440 feet.

The procession continued from there. Webb allowed three straight singles following McCarthy’s homer, then walked a batter with the bases loaded to gift the Rockies their second run. With Colorado threatening to land a haymaker, third baseman Casey Schmitt pulled off a play that will be remembered for years to come.

With none still retired, the Rockies’ Tyler Freeman pulled a chopper to Schmitt’s right. If the ball eluded Schmitt, Colorado would score, at the minimum, two more runs.

Schmitt could not prevent the Rockies from scoring entirely, but he pulled off a Matt Chapman-esque double play by snagging the chopper, stutter-stepping to tag third base, then firing a sidearm throw while his momentum took him the other way. Bryce Eldridge handled the rest, picking Schmitt’s throw out of the dirt to complete the double play.

The Rockies, however, were far from finished. In the second, Webb lost a 12-pitch battle to Ezequiel Tovar and surrendered an opposite-field two-run homer. Colorado scored two more runs in the third and Webb’s night was done, just the third time in his career he’s failed to pitch more than three innings.

San Francisco trailed 6-1 at the time of Webb’s departure, and given Coors Field’s penchant for insanity, a comeback wasn’t out of the question. That changed after the bottom of the fifth when Colorado plated seven runs, six of which were against lefty Matt Gage.

By the bottom of the sixth, Vitello removed shortstop Willy Adames and center fielder Jung Hoo Lee from the game, effectively waving the white flag. Vitello said the decision to pull Adames, who missed the last three games due to a back ailment, was precautionary.

“Didn’t make much sense [to keep him in] at that point,” Vitello said. “Try to get him another at-bat, then get him out of there.”

There were, sure, a few silver linings. Rafael Devers hit his 16th home run of the season. Casey Schmitt and Bryce Eldridge each had RBI singles. Rookie outfielder Jonah Cox made another impressive play at second base, ranging to his right and throwing across his body to record an out.

Up next

Robbie Ray (7-6, 3.39 ERA) will take the mound on the Fourth of July as he looks to continue one of the best stretches of his career. Entering Saturday, Ray has allowed no earned runs over his last three outings (22 1/3 innings) and has pitched eight innings in back-to-back outings.