SF Giants can’t hold lead, Verlander still searching for first win

PHILADELPHIA — The Giants led by one run going into the bottom of the sixth inning and Justin Verlander was in position to win the 263rd game of his Hall of Fame career, but the Giants couldn’t hold onto their slim lead and lost to the Philadelphia Phillies, 6-4, on Jackie Robinson Day at Citizens Bank Park.

San Francisco took a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the sixth when Philadelphia put runners on first and second with one out as Verlander’s pitch count creeped towards the century mark. Reliever Randy Rodríguez was warmed and ready, but Melvin elected to stick with his veteran. The move backfired.

Philadelphia’s J.T. Realmuto hit a towering fly ball to left field that appeared destined for a glove, but Heliot Ramos took an inefficient route and the ball found grass, allowing Kyle Schwarber to score and tied the game at three. Verlander recorded the inning’s second out when Max Kepler’s line drive found Willy Adames’ glove, but Alec Bohm plated the go-ahead run with a single to left field. With the Giants trailing, 4-3, only then did Melvin pull the plug on Verlander’s outing and go to his bullpen.

Melvin made another curious decision in the bottom of the seventh inning, electing to go with right-hander Hayden Birdsong on one day of rest after he threw two innings on Sunday. Birdsong hadn’t allowed a run this season entering play but surrendered a towering two-run home run to Bryce Harper that extended the deficit to three runs.

The seventh inning would’ve been an ideal spot for a left-handed pitcher since three of the Phillies’ first four batters are left-handed, but Erik Miller, the lone lefty in the Giants’ bullpen, threw 22 pitches on Monday and was likely unavailable.