San Francisco Giants starter Anthony DeSclafani pitches against the New York Mets at Citi Field in New York on Thu Apr 21, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

The San Francisco Giants lost a series for the first time this season, falling 6-2 to the New York Mets at Citi Field on Thursday afternoon. Along with getting defeated in the series 3-1, the Giants had their longest streak in the majors without an opposing player hitting a homer, snapped.

It happened in the first inning.

“We weren’t not going to give up a home run all year,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. “When you go through a stretch where those things are not happening, you are pleased with the results. But you also always know there are going to be some times that aren’t perfect.”

Giants starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani had a slow start, allowing the Mets to get nine hits and five earned runs in five innings. DeSclafani has allowed 22 hits in his first 13 1/3 innings. Kapler said “he doesn’t have his best stuff right now.”

“I think it’s just one of those things where we have to hang in there with him. We trust Tony, he was a great pitcher for us last year, and he went through some starts last year where he didn’t have his best stuff as well,” Kapler said. “I think they were getting some pretty good swings off but there were some balls that weren’t hit particularly well – that happens, that’s just part of it.”

Too many balls stayed up, DeSclafani said, including the pitches resulting in homers. The second one happened on a changeup to Eduardo Escobar.

“I definitely don’t feel crisp at all,” DeSclafani said. “I feel like I’m kind of coming off the ball early, not staying back, and (pitches) are kind of left up in the zone.”

The Giants had a run in the second inning and one in the eighth, but the Mets also had one in that inning to lead San Francisco 6-2.

Giants center fielder Steven Duggar suffered a left oblique injury as he fouled off a pitch against Mets starting pitcher Carlos Carrasco in the second inning. He will go on the injured list.

The Giants (8-5) continue their East Coast road trip with a three-game series against the Washington Nationals. First pitch for Game 1 is at 4:05 p.m. PT.