The San Francisco Giants have faced injury challenges throughout this season, and Robbie Ray’s return to the mound did not bring any relief. Ray, who was signed from the Seattle Mariners in January, suffered a setback and must now await an MRI scan to determine the severity of a strained left hamstring. In the fourth inning, Ray suddenly felt a pulling sensation that prevented him from continuing to play. “I’ve tried to overcome injuries in the past and that has never ended well,” Ray said after the loss to the Martins. “This time, I hope I acted in time.” The Giants had already struggled with a series of close games against the Mariners this weekend – all by just one run. Giants manager Bob Melvin again lamented the missed opportunities and missed hits that could have made a difference. Amazingly, despite massive starting problems, the Giants are still at a .500 record. The team had to survive much of June with only Logan Webb and Jordan Hicks as full starters, often resorting to bullpen games. In the next few games, Melvin plans to start Webb, Kyle Harrison and Hayden Birdsong, although it remains unclear who will play Friday against the Miami Marlins. Another problem is workload management. Harrison and Birdsong, both relatively inexperienced, need to be rested and their innings numbers controlled. While Tristan Beck is making progress after arm surgery, he still needs time. Keaton Winn is also out for the rest of the season with an elbow injury. The inconsistency in the pitching area has characterized the Giants’ season and made any planning difficult. Nevertheless, the team is showing a remarkably positive mood. Players like Heliot Ramos are shining – Ramos recently hit two impressive home runs, giving him 20 home runs this season and putting him on par with Giants legends. An extraordinary team spirit was on display during a day off in Seattle, where many players attended a house party at Blake Snell’s. The Giants proved that even difficult times can be handled with good humor, as demonstrated by original jersey campaigns and other team activities. The remainder of the season remains challenging, but the Giants seem determined to make the most of it. Even though reaching the playoffs is becoming increasingly unlikely, there is still hope for individual and collective success.
