SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants have spent a month insisting that the best bet is to remain positive and take things game by game, so they have. They have come with the same attitude every day, and game by game, rough day by rough day, they have given back all of a massive National League West lead.
When Denard Span was thrown out at first to end Tuesday’s 4-3 loss to the Pirates, the Giants were officially in second place for the first time since May 10. If they needed a wake-up call, here it is: A team that led the division by eight games in late June is now atop the Wild Card standings.