The San Francisco Giants are searching for answers during one of their toughest stretches of the season, but manager Tony Vitello made it clear after Wednesday’s loss against the San Diego Padres that panic is not part of the plan.

Speaking following the Giants’ latest defeat, Vitello pointed to fatigue, adversity, and late offensive struggles as key themes surrounding the club’s recent skid. He also expressed confidence that his team can regroup heading into Friday’s series opener.

Vitello praised starter Adrian Houser despite the loss, calling the veteran right-hander’s recent performances “outstanding.”

“Save from those three pitches, I think the last two outings have been outstanding,” Vitello said. “On the whole, if you could somehow have a magic wand and remove the Marlins one, it’s been really good.”

Houser exited following the sixth inning after throwing 74 pitches, his lowest total in several starts. Vitello explained the decision stemmed from both matchup considerations and the desire to turn the game over to the bullpen.

“We just kind of started talking about once we got to the seventh, going with our best guys there in the bullpen,” Vitello said. “Also starting to get to the point of the game that he hadn’t been in in a while.”

One of the game’s defining moments came when rookie Jesús Rodríguez failed to secure a difficult fly ball in right field that turned into a two-run triple. Despite the missed opportunity, Vitello defended the rookie catcher, who was in the outfield.

“He got a good jump on it, showed no fear,” Vitello said. “He just didn’t catch it. I think the play could have been made, but he’s going to play for us, so there was going to have to be a day one at some point.”

Vitello also addressed Matt Chapman’s recent offensive struggles, suggesting the issue extends beyond one player.

“I think the group is guilty of starting late,” Vitello said. “I would never doubt his mentality. I know he had an edge to him the last two days.”

The Giants now head into a much-needed off day after a demanding stretch of games, something Vitello believes arrives at the perfect time.

“It’s been a long grind,” he said. “Probably a good time for everybody to take a timeout and do whatever it is they do, either relax or spend time with family.”

Vitello emphasized the importance of maintaining perspective and embracing adversity rather than allowing it to define the clubhouse.

“The best players I’ve been around are really good at flipping their mindset toward a positive,” Vitello said. “The best teams I’ve been around, the locker room kind of writes its own narrative.”

San Francisco will attempt to reset Friday night when they return to Oracle Park for the start of a new series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

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