San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tyler Mahle said a handful of missed pitches and a momentum-shifting inning proved costly in loss.
The San Francisco Giants were unable to hold an early advantage Tuesday night, falling 7-5 to the Arizona Diamondbacks in another difficult matchup between the division rivals.
After the game, Giants starter Tyler Mahle pointed to the second inning as the turning point that ultimately changed the direction of the contest. San Francisco had managed to grab the lead early in the first, but Arizona answered quickly against Mahle, shifting momentum back in its favor.
“We take the lead first, and then I go out there and give up three,” Mahle said. “That kind of switched all the momentum onto their side.”
Mahle believed the Giants were in a strong position before Arizona’s offensive response. Instead, the Diamondbacks capitalized on several mistakes and forced San Francisco into comeback mode for the remainder of the night.
The right-hander admitted frustration with a few pitches that proved costly, specifically highlighting a leadoff walk and a misplaced slider that eventually turned into extra bases for Arizona.
“I think there were a couple pitches that bothered me,” Mahle said. “The leadoff walk and then the slider I threw that got hit for the double. Those are frustrating.”
Despite the disappointing result, Mahle still felt there were stretches where he executed effectively. He pointed to sequences where he was able to generate strikeouts and weak contact, though Arizona’s lineup continued finding ways to produce timely offense.
Mahle also discussed the challenge of facing Ketel Marte, who has consistently hurt Giants pitching throughout the season series. Rather than overcomplicating the matchup, Mahle credited Marte’s overall talent and current form at the plate.
“He’s a good hitter, and he’s hot right now,” Mahle said. “That’s what makes him tough because he’s a really good baseball player.”
Even when pitchers make quality pitches, Mahle acknowledged that hitters of Marte’s caliber can still produce results.
“If you make the pitches, good things are gonna happen,” Mahle said. “But sometimes you make good pitches and he’s still gonna get you. That’s just baseball.”
The Giants attempted to rally late offensively but were unable to erase the deficit completely. Mahle believes limiting the damage in that pivotal middle stretch could have significantly changed the outcome.
“If I go out there and shut down that inning, we probably win the game,” Mahle said.
San Francisco will now look to regroup as it continues battling through a difficult stretch within the National League West Division.
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