By: Joe Lami

AP photo: St Louis pitcher Alex Reyes sits in the dugout to cool off during the fourth inning held the San Francisco Giants to only four hits in seven innings for his first win at AT&T Park on Sunday

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.–The home stand from hell has finally come to an end for the San Francisco Giants. On Sunday, they wrapped up their four-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Pitching wasn’t the problem this time, as the bats couldn’t get going in the 3-0 loss, marking the 12th time this season the Giants have gotten shutout.

Alex Reyes showed why he was such a highly touted prospect, tossing seven innings for his first career win. He’s held his opponents to a 1.53 ERA and a .190 batting average in his first three career starts. “He’s got big stuff and a big fastball and controlled it well. We created good chances but couldn’t get anything going,” said Giants skipper Bruce Bochy.

Albert Suarez did what was asked of him, giving up two runs in five innings pitched. The two runs came off the bat of Aledmys Diaz, who hit a homer to left in the second inning off of a hung breaking ball.

Despite just pitching 60 through the five innings, he was taken out in the bottom half of the frame for Connor Gillispie to try to spark the offensive. Instead, Gillespie popped out on one pitch with two outs in the inning.

Cory Gearrin was definitely the bright spot for the Giants, as he came in for relief. Pitching the sixth and seventh innings, Gearrin tore through the Cardinals, striking out five of the six batters he faced.

The Cardinals inch one game closer in the National League Wild Card race with the win and now would have the tie-breaker over the Giants if both teams were to finish with the same record, earning home field advantage for a one-game playoff. “It’s been a big swing, and we need to fight from here on out,” commented Bochy.

San Francisco is arguably the worst team in baseball since the All-Star Break, winning just three of 19 series since the break. They’ve only won one series at home in that time span.

The New York Mets also won their game 3-2 over the Minnesota Twins, gaining full control of the top Wild Card position. San Francisco is hanging on by a shoestring to their post-season hopes, with a one-game lead on the Cardinals for the second Wild Card position.

Things don’t get any easier for the orange and black, as they make their final road trip of the season, travelling to LA and San Diego for the final seven games of the road schedule.