SF Giants erase six-run deficit, still lose in walk-off fashion to Pirates

PITTSBURGH — It was less than a week ago that the Giants’ bullpen coughed up a six-run ninth-inning lead in what was a historic meltdown. On Tuesday at PNC Park, San Francisco was on the other side of a blown lead.

And still lost.

The Giants fell behind 11-5 on a day where Logan Webb allowed a career-high nine runs, then they erased that six-run deficit and still lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates 13-12 as the winning run scored in the bottom of the ninth inning on a throwing error.

San Francisco’s comeback was made possible by rookie left-hander Cesar Perdomo. Added to the roster as rosters expanded to 28 on Tuesday, Perdomo allowed one run over four innings of long relief to keep the Giants in the game.

The Giants chipped into the Pirates’ large lead by scoring twice in the sixth. Jonah Cox’s RBI single and Jung Hoo Lee’s run-scoring groundout made the score 11-7, bringing San Francisco within striking distance.

Pittsburgh got a run back in the seventh on a solo home run by Brandon Lowe off Perdomo, but the Giants responded with a five-run flurry to tie the ballgame at 12-12 in the eighth. Osleivis Basabe drew a bases-loaded walk. Drew Cavanaugh knocked in two with a double. Then, the big blow: a pinch-hit, two-run double by Nate Furman.

The nine runs that Webb allowed were the most he’s surrendered in a single game, while his two-plus innings were the second-fewest he’s pitched in a start in his career. By the time the book had closed on Webb’s night, his ERA had jumped from 3.72 to 4.21.

This outing marks the second time in Webb’s last three outings he’s failed to complete at least three innings. On Aug. 21 at Fenway Park, Webb permitted five runs over 2 2/3 innings to the Red Sox. Webb has only pitched 10 2/3 innings over his last three starts, the fewest frames he’s pitched over a three-start span in his career.

Paul Skenes, a three-time All-Star and reigning Cy Young Award winner, didn’t exactly have a sterling night either, allowing five runs over 4 2/3 innings.

The Giants scored all five runs in the top of the second, a frame where Christian Koss and Turner Hill’s RBI singles served as the appetizer to Rafael Devers’ three-run homer, his 31st home run of the year. Devers is up to 82 RBIs on the season, and with 23 games remaining, he has a shot at becoming the first Giant to record at least 100 RBIs in a season since Buster Posey in 2012.

On most nights, five runs are more than enough when Webb steps on the mound. Not on this night.

Webb wasn’t done in by one swing in the bottom of the third inning, which lasted nearly 35 minutes. In fact, neither Webb nor rookie reliever Braxton Roxby even allowed a single extra-base hit. After giving up four straight singles to start the inning, Webb walked Jacob Gonzalez and Jared Triolo with the bases loaded to gift the Pirates a pair of runs. Henry Davis, the Pirates’ No. 9 hitter, ended Webb’s night with a two-run single, prompting Giants manager Tony Vitello to go to his bullpen.

Perdomo becomes the 15th Giant to make his debut this season, meaning the team is one debut away from tying the San Francisco-era record for most debuts in a season.

Worth noting

Adrian Houser (right flexor strain) was transferred to the 60-day injured list, ending his season.
Jesús Rodríguez (right elbow neuritis) visited Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas for a second opinion.
Matt Gage (left elbow strain) was taken off his rehab assignment due to elbow discomfort. He’ll be shut down from throwing for this week.
Sam Hentges (left forearm strain) has a mild flexor strain. He won’t throw for the rest of the week.