Versatile Petit shows value out of bullpen
Giants swingman puts out fire in sixth inning vs. Mariners
SAN FRANCISCO -- The San Francisco Giants dropped their ninth straight game at AT&T Park on Monday, a 5-1 loss, giving home fans little to cheer about as of late.
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But even amid the franchise's longest home losing skid since losing 11 consecutive games in September 1940 at the Polo Grounds, the Giants have guys they can count on to get out of trouble.
Yusmeiro Petit entered Monday's game against the Seattle Mariners in the sixth inning with runners on first and second, no outs and San Francisco down, 3-1. He struck out Brad Miller and Mike Zunino back to back and got Taijuan Walker to ground out softly to hold the score.
"I have to be ready every day," Petit said. "I try to keep the games close and I did that today."
Petit has been called upon to work in several different situations so far this season, giving manager Bruce Bochy a versatile arm out of the bullpen who can pitch no matter the circumstance.
"To have a guy like that who can give you not just innings, but quality innings ... he's so valuable where he's at and that's why we've left him there," Bochy said.
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The right-hander recorded a three-inning save in a 6-0 win over Miami on May 8, in which he allowed just one batter to reach base via a walk. On May 23, Petit made a spot start, eating up six innings in a stretch where San Francisco was short on arms and playing a doubleheader in Colorado.
Monday's performance lowered Petit's ERA to 3.32 on the season and he's thrown 38 innings, the most of any Giants reliever.
"Extremely valuable," catcher Buster Posey said. "I think nationally, people got a glimpse of him last year during the playoffs, but he's a big weapon for us."