Let's start by saying there is no way to sugarcoat a league-leading 17 blown saves, or a 40 percent blown-save rate that ranks 14th of 15 teams. The stats are there. They cannot be argued.
The bullpen stands as the No. 1 element that the Giants need to fix, be it internally or externally.
Let's also offer a little perspective to perhaps calm some of the hysteria:
•A blown save occurs anytime a reliever gives up a lead from the sixth inning on. The Giants play more close games than most teams. Thirty of the Giants' 86 games - 35 percent - have been settled by one run.