SAN FRANCISCO — Hours after watching left-hander Drew Pomeranz surrender seven earned runs in just 1 2/3 innings against the Cincinnati Reds last Monday, Giants manager Bruce Bochy sat in his office and pondered his team’s first-inning struggles.
His pitchers allowed 13 first-inning runs and six first-inning homers in a four-game series against the Reds. A traditionalist known throughout the sport for his “old-school” mentality, Bochy was asked if he would consider trying an “Opener” at the beginning of a game.
“No, no we’ve got to get this thing with our starters straightened out,” Bochy said.
A week later, Bochy and the Giants have reversed course.