Houston Astros’ Cam Smith, right, hits an RBI single in front of San Francisco Giants catcher Drew Cavanaugh, left, during the ninth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Monday, Aug 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

By Vince Cestone

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants lost on Monday night in a familiar way, blowing a 3-2 ninth-inning lead and ultimately losing the game 6-3 at Oracle Park.

As was the case many times in 2026, they were one-out away from securing a one-run win at Oracle Park in front of 28,070 fans. But acting closer Dylan Smith could not secure the save in the ninth, as Houston Astros right fielder Cam’s Smith seeing-eye single rolled into right field for an RBI hit that tied the game at three. The inning could’ve gone on, but Smith was thrown out at second trying to stretch the single into a double. Before Smith had the big hit, Christian Walker coaxed a one-out walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch, a wild pitch that proved costly when Smith singled two batters later.

After the Giants went down in order in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Astros went to work in the 10th against reliever Jason Foley. With the placed runner at second base, Catcher Christian Vasquez led off the inning with a walk. The next batter Jeremy Pena singled in the ghost runner, making the score 4-3 Houston. The Astros then piled on with a 2-RBI double by third baseman Isaac Paredes, making the score 6-3. That would end up being the final score, as the Giants went down in order in their half of the tenth inning.

A game that started out with such high hopes, turned into another nightmare for San Francisco. After falling behind 1-0 in the first inning on an RBI single by Parades following a Yordan Alvarez double, the Giants tied the score in the bottom of the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly by center fielder Drew Gilbert. Before that, Bryce Eldridge hit a one-out double, Rafael Devers then walked, and then Eldridge advanced to third on an infield hit by Osleivis Basabe.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Giants took a 2-1 lead on a two-out Jung Hoo Lee home run to right field. That was Lee’s ninth home run of the year.

The Astros knotted the score at two in the top of the seventh inning. After center fielder Daulton Varsho grounded out to second, Smith hit a solo home run to match Lee’s homer.

The Giants and Astros exchanged solo home runs yet again in the bottom of the seventh inning as Gilbert blasted one to right-center field to give San Francisco a 3-2 lead. Unfortunately for the Giants, that was the last run they would score in the game.

Once again, familiar sight. Familiar sound. The Giants had a lead late and blew it. If the Giants are to compete in 2027–if there is a season–they will have to address the bullpen and get a bona fide closer. Smith will try to compete for a bullpen spot next year, but by no means is he meant to be a closer on a big-league team. Middle relief may be what he’s destined for.

On the positive side for the Giants, Blade Tidwell pitched well on Monday night. He threw 5 2/3 innings, giving up just one run on four hits. He struck out six Astros batters and walked just one. His ERA is now down to 2.78 on the year, and he could be a candidate for the rotation in 2027–or quite possibly 2028 if there’s no season next year due to the impending lockout.

For the Astros, starting pitcher Hayden Wesneski pitched seven strong innings, giving up three runs on five hits. He struck out four batters and walked two. The Astros bullpen took it from there, throwing three innings of one-hit ball.

Up next in this now meaningless 2027 Giants season, Hunter Brown (3-1, 3.53 ERA) will pitch for the Astros on Tuesday against San Francisco. The Giants have not yet announced a starter.

Only 45 more painful Giants games to go in 2026.