SF Giants’ streak ends with loss to Padres

SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants avoided making the wrong kind of history on Wednesday by sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals, their first three-game sweep of the season. On Friday, they had a chance to check off another box: winning a fourth straight game, a feat that every other team has long accomplished.

That box remains unchecked.

Despite Rafael Devers’ grand slam, San Francisco lost 7-5 to the San Diego Padres on Friday night at Oracle Park and squandered its latest opportunity to win four games in a row for this season.

The Giants nearly mounted another comeback in the bottom of the ninth when Bryce Eldridge stepped to the plate with two outs and the bases loaded, but All-Star closer Mason Miller punched out the rookie on a dotted 102.8 mph four-seam fastball to end the game.

Devers’ second grand slam of the season was the Giants’ ninth, which ties the franchise record for the most in a single year (2015). Devers, currently sitting on 36 home runs, is now just four RBIs away from becoming the first Giant to accumulate at least 100 RBIs in a single season since Buster Posey in 2012.

Right-hander Anthony Molina was roughed up in his third start as a Giant, allowing seven runs and nine hits over three innings. In his first three appearances for San Francisco, Molina allowed three runs over 14 1/3 innings and picked up the win in all three outings. Rookie right-hander Yunior Marte kept San Francisco in the game by pitching five scoreless innings of relief.

Former Giant Robbie Ray, dealt to the Padres at this year’s trade deadline, allowed five runs over five innings with five strikeouts to four walks against his former team. Since joining San Diego, Ray has a 5.35 ERA over seven starts.

The Giants took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first as Jonah Cox singled, stole second base, then scored on a single by Eldridge. For Cox, it was his 10th steal of the season.

San Francisco’s advantage didn’t last long. San Diego responded with two runs in the second, then landed a five-run haymaker in the third to take a commanding 7-1 lead. Ray, meanwhile, settled into a groove, retiring the side in the third and fourth. In the fifth, the Giants countered.

Andrew Knizner began the fifth with a leadoff double, and Christian Koss and Cox followed by drawing back-to-back walks to load the bases for Devers. Ahead 0-1, Ray spun a knucklecurve well below the zone that Devers chased. Ray made a great pitch, but Devers made a better swing. Devers found barrel, and the ball found the seats for a grand slam. With one swing, Devers slashed the deficit to 7-5.