SAN FRANCISCO — Before and after the Giants’ golden era at the beginning of the decade, the franchise stumbled through some lean seasons.
But until Wednesday’s 3-1 loss to the Padres clinched a series defeat, it had been 36 years since the franchise lost four straight series to open the season.
After dropping a four-game series in San Diego and a three-game set in Los Angeles, the Giants returned home at the end of last week confident that a club built on pitching and defense would take advantage of the chance to play at Oracle Park.
Instead, San Francisco dropped two of three to Tampa Bay and closed out a three-game set with another lackluster offensive output on Wednesday.