Giants bullpen hits bottom against A’s in meeting of last-place teams

OAKLAND – For the first time in the history of interleague play, the Giants and A’s met on the field as last-place teams Monday night.In the Battle of the Basement, the Giants bullpen sank to the bottom.Giants manager Bruce Bochy tasked his relievers with protecting a one-run lead while recording a dozen outs. They never came close. George Kontos served up a grand slam to Marcus Semien in the sixth inning – a mistake that vaporized a decision for Matt Cain as the Giants lost 8-5 at the Coliseum.

The Giants continue to find ways to plummet without hitting bottom. They fell percentage points behind the Phillies for the worst record in the major leagues, and they wore it convincingly. The Giants’ four relievers combined to issue six walks and allow six earned runs in three innings.The Giants and A’s are always playing for pride and local bragging rights, which mean something to the people who bang drums, paint their faces and – a true test of loyalty – brave the bridge traffic. There are few stadium sounds in Bay Area sports as unique as the mix when A’s fans boo Giants fans for cheering Buster Posey.The A’s fans cheered loudest in the sixth, and the Giants were left again to reminisce what times were like with a functional bullpen.