SF Giants lose third straight as top prospect Eldridge goes hitless in debut

PHOENIX — Taylor Rashi thought Bryce Eldridge got one.

In the top of the seventh, Rashi tried to sneak an 88.9 mph four-seam fastball past Eldridge for a strike. Eldridge sent the heater 407 feet to left-center field, the crack of the bat reverberating throughout Chase Field. Rashi lifelessly hunched over, likely believing he’d be responsible for Eldridge’s first hit, homer, run and RBI — all in one.

Luckily for Rashi, he was pitched at one of seven ballparks that could contain Eldridge’s blast, one that registered at 105.9 mph off the bat. Center fielder Jorge Barrosa tracked down the fly ball at the warning track, lightly jumped into the padding for style and Eldridge remained searching for his first hit.

Eldridge ended the night hitless over three at-bats as the Giants lost 8-1 to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday, their third straight defeat that puts them two games back of the Mets for the third and final NL wild card spot. But with that one loud swing, he provided a glimpse of the awesome power he possesses.

“”I know I hit it good, so I was just hoping it was going to drop somewhere,” Eldridge said. “Barrosa made a good play, but definitely a confidence booster.”

“He looks good up there. He had some good swings,” said manager Bob Melvin. “It’s too bad he didn’t get the one hit there, but certainly didn’t look like he was overmatched. Didn’t look like he was nervous. I’m sure there were some nerves there, but looks pretty hitter-ish at the plate.”

Along with playing in his first career game, Eldridge had another rather obscure first experience: his first time using a team-issued bat.

After learning of his promotion on Sunday at the OKC Will Rogers International Airport, Eldridge re-routed from Sacramento to Phoenix. Eldridge’s gear, however, was already en route to Sacramento, leaving him without his tools of the trade. The only equipment Eldridge had on Monday was from what he left in his car at the nearby Papago Park, the team’s minor league facility.

The list of items in Eldridge’s locker on Monday included a black first baseman’s mitt with the inscription “Wayne,” one of Eldridge’s nicknames. People began calling him “Wayne” because his first name often auto-corrected to “Bruce,” prompting someone to call him “Bruce Wayne,” the alias of Batman.

No amount of familiarity with his gear would’ve helped him against the Diamondbacks’ Zac Gallen, who allowed one run over six innings with six strikeouts.

Gallen, a one-time All-Star, won both battles against Eldridge, getting him to ground out in their first meeting and striking him out in their second meeting. Still, Eldridge held his own against one of the game’s better right-handed pitchers, having some impressive takes on changeups out of the zone.

“I think that’s a good start facing a guy like him,” Eldridge said. “I had fun. He had a good plan against me, and it as fun to get to face him and I felt like I belonged. I feel like I competed and did my best.”

Added Eldridge: “We have a good idea of what these guys are trying to do. I think just being able to spit on those definitely gave me some confidence, not going to try and reach down low for those ones.”

The 20-year-old’s deep drive and Casey Schmitt’s third-inning solo homer were just about all the Giants could celebrate on a night where they mustered two lone hits — both off Schmitt’s bat.

Right-hander Kai-Wei Teng pitched a serviceable four innings, allowing one unearned run on an errant pickoff attempt. Once Teng departed, the Diamondbacks tagged the Giants’ bullpen for seven runs, six of which came in a game-deciding six-run sixth.

San Francisco’s bullpen has been one of this team’s strengths even with a rotating cast of characters, but that unit’s lack of depth has been exposed in recent days. During this three-game losing streak, the Giants’ relievers have allowed 19 earned runs over 14 innings.

“(Joel) Peguero and (Joey) Lucchesi might be our most trusted arms down there (minus Ryan) Walker,” Melvin said. “We’re just trying to get through that inning and gave up a six spot. Just middle-of-the-plate pitches.”