Transitioning from the rotation to the bullpen, the veteran right-hander delivered 2.1 perfect innings against the Atlanta Braves, providing a much-needed silver lining for the San Francisco Giants' struggling pitching staff.
The San Francisco Giants may have fallen to 15 games under .500, but there are a few moral victories that came out of their 3-1 loss to the Atlanta Braves.
San Francisco would've loved to start the series off with a win, especially coming off a game where they allowed nine runs to the Athletics, but clearly, this team's offense is just as much of a problem.
Even in a game where the Giants pitching staff allows just three runs, San Francisco's batters didn't have enough in the tank to make a difference.
Now 33-48, Adrian Houser was asked to close this game, in an extended role. In his first relief appearance of the season, he got the job done, and then some.
Houser Could Thrive in Giants Bullpen
For the first time all season, the Giants' 2026 free agent acquisition didn't allow a run in his outing. This was his first true relief appearance of the year, and he passed with flying colors.
Houser has played in 189 big-league games and he's started 139 of those. After making his 50th appearance out of the bullpen, it's clearly a role he's necessarily loves, but his stuff is good enough to get the job done, no matter where he is in the rotation.
Remember, Houser is coming off a one-inning outing that took him 29 pitches to get through. Against the Braves, he cruised through the final 2.1 innings, needing just 35 pitches to record seven outs.
Houser didn't allow a hit or a walk in his first appearance out of the 'pen. He may have only struck out one batter, but he got in and out of each inning in an extremely efficient fashion.
Houser Gives Giants Bullpen Life
For a bullpen that has struggled all year long, Houser could be an unexpected option that helps get things back on track. San Francisco is less than two games out from being in last place in the National League West, so at this point, they'll take what they can get.
Houser came to San Francisco on a two-year, $22 million deal. $11M per year isn't cheap, especially for someone the team can only rely on as an inning-eating reliever.
It's not like the Giants were waiving the white flag in the series opener, but it's clear Houser is only going to make appearances when this bullpen is depleted. The second things aren't going the Giants way after a short start or whatever it may be, Houser will be thrown in there to hopefully make more appearances like this one.
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