SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – The San Francisco Giants set a franchise record on Saturday by going 20 consecutive innings without scoring to start the season.
They finally managed to record their first run in the third inning against the New York Yankees, but ultimately lost the game 3-1, resulting in a sweep.
The Giants had previously been shut out in their first two games by the Yankees, losing 7-0 and 3-0, and managing only four hits. This marked the first time in Major League Baseball history that a team started a season in such a manner.
Giants Struggle in Opening Series
Throughout the opening series against the Yankees, the Giants were outscored 13-1. They became the 11th team in MLB history to score one or fewer runs in their first three games of a season.
First Run and Manager’s Record
In the third inning of Saturday’s game, Jung Hoo Lee initiated a rally with a double to right off pitcher Will Warren. Following this, Matt Chapman delivered an RBI single, which prompted enthusiastic cheers from the crowd, reflecting the relief of many fans.
New manager Tony Vitello, who was promoted from the University of Tennessee without prior professional coaching or playing experience, became the ninth manager in baseball history to experience a shutout in each of his first two games. According to Sportradar, he is also the seventh manager to face such a fate in his first two games overall.
Historical Context
The Giants’ streak of 20 consecutive scoreless innings matched a franchise record set in 1909, when they went scoreless for 13 innings in their opener and the first seven innings of Game 2.
Historically, the only team to be shut out three times in a row to start a season was the San Diego Padres in 2016, who were swept by the Dodgers during a season that concluded with a 68-94 record.