The San Francisco Giants played three series in San Diego this season. They won one game in each set.
It was a fitting final game at Petco Park on Wednesday, when the Padres shut out the Giants, 5-0.
The last time pitcher Travis Wood had an at-bat against the Giants, he hit a home run in Game 2 of the National League Divisional Series last year when he was on the Chicago Cubs. In his first at-bat in the series, Wood turned on a Ty Blach changeup and hit it 393 feet.
The long ball bit Blach again in the sixth, when he allowed a solo shot to Jose Pirela.
But manager Bruce Bochy was happy with the performance from his starter, who was responsible for one of the Giants’ two extra-base hits.
“Ty threw well,” Bochy told reporters. “He had a great game. He had two of our best at-bats out there too. Did a nice job and deserved better.”
The San Francisco lineup scored 10 runs over the six-game road trip that stopped in Arizona before San Diego. The Giants won just one of those contests.
“You’ve got to score: It’s been a tough road trip offensively, we’re not doing a lot,” Bochy said.
Tonight’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals marks the Giants’ last game of August. With the team being 40.5 games back in the division and 20 out of a wild card spot, all that remains to be resolved is figuring out what Bochy has for the starting rotation of the future.
Johnny Cueto will return from the disabled list on Friday, reclaiming his familiar spot behind Madison Bumgarner in the rotation. From there, the Giants will use a six-man group including Chris Stratton and Blach.
The group of starters will get plenty of rest as the Giants have five days off in the final full month of the season.
No matter how well they throw, it won’t lead to wins as long as the offense can’t produce runs. It will be difficult to turn the tide, though, as long as the team continues to sit its best hitter as Buster Posey nurses a thumb injury.
“Sure, you miss the big bat, but we had our chances,” Bochy said, pointing to the second and fourth innings, when the Giants had leadoff hits fail to get past second base.
jpalmer@sfexaminer.com
