SF Giants waste excellent start from Keaton Winn in 2-1 loss to Blue Jays

SF Giants rookie Keaton Winn was excellent in his first-career MLB start, but he was outdueled by Chris Bassitt in Thursday's loss to the Blue Jays.

The SF Giants dropped their first series in more than two weeks on Thursday night, losing a rubber match against the Toronto Blue Jays 2-1. While the Giants are obviously disappointed with the result, rookie right-handed pitcher Keaton Winn (Giants preseason #18 prospect) shined in his first-career MLB start, allowing just two earned runs on three hits and a walk with three strikeouts across six innings pitched.

SF Giants 3B J.D. Davis argues with the home plate umpire on June 29, 2023 / Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Winn and Blue Jays starter Chris Bassitt took advantage of a wide strike zone from home plate umpire Tom Payne throughout the evening. Bassitt racked up a career-high 12 strikeouts across six shutout innings, surrendering three hits and three walks. 

TWELVE strikeouts for @C_Bass419!

That's a NEW career-high 👏 pic.twitter.com/gAuwVolDI6

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) June 30, 2023

Bassitt induced 18 swinging strikes over the course of his outing, generating whiffs on five different offerings. Likely already frustrated dealing with Bassitt's arsenal, the Giants' frustration with Payne reached a fever pitch in the top of the third inning when third baseman J.D. Davis was called out on strikes. Davis, who had been rung up in the first inning as well, was furious with the call and was ejected. Giants manager Gabe Kapler soon jogged onto the field and was sent packing as well.

While Bassitt relies on a kitchen-sink arsenal, Winn was nearly as effective throwing a four-seam fastball, splitter, and sinker. Winn was incredibly efficient, needing just 67 pitches while successfully pitching to contact. However, with two outs in his final inning of work, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. crushed a 2-2 splitter over the right-center field wall for a two-run home run. That proved to be the difference.

LOADING... 💥 pic.twitter.com/gXycvSjaMC

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) June 30, 2023

Tristan Beck (Giants #19 prospect) replaced Winn and held the Blue Jays scoreless across two innings of work, giving the Giants a chance to face Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano in the top of the ninth with just a two-run deficit.

Rookie Patrick Bailey (Giants preseason #21 prospect) nearly homered against Romano to lead off the inning but settled for a double. He finished the day 2-for-4 at the plate and became the first Giants rookie to record a 10-game hitting streak since Buster Posey back in 2010. Not bad company.

Another rookie, Blake Sabol (Giants preseason #33 prospect) cut the Blue Jays lead in half with an RBI single. However, Sabol attempted to steal second base on the next pitch and was caught stealing on an excellent short hop and tag by second baseman Santiago Espinal. The Giants were hoping to take advantage of Toronto catcher Alejandro Kirk's relatively weak arm, but it backfired. Luis Matos (Giants preseason #4 prospect) reached base on a throwing error with two outs, but Brandon Crawford flew out to end the game.

The SF Giants will head further east tonight as their road trip continues. They will begin a three-game set against the New York Mets on Friday night at Citi Field. Alex Cobb is set to return from the injured list and make the start for the Giants against another veteran righty, Carlos Carrasco. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 PM Pacific.