Giants criticized for 9th inning decisions vs Nationals

The Giants were one out away from a much-needed victory Monday night. Instead, they were left searching for answers after another late collapse.

San Francisco carried a 3-1 lead into the ninth inning against Washington before watching it disappear in a matter of minutes.

By the time the dust settled, the Nationals had scored three runs, handed the Giants a 4-3 loss, and reignited frustrations surrounding a bullpen that has repeatedly let games slip away this season.

Former Giants All-Star pitcher Shawn Estes defiantly refused to place the blame on reliever Keaton Winn.

Instead, he pointed directly at the decision-makers.

Speaking on NBC Sports Bay Area’s postgame show, Estes argued Winn never should have been on the mound after a taxing weekend in Chicago that included multiple appearances and extensive work.

Winn entered Monday having pitched in three consecutive games and thrown 41 pitches over the previous two days.

“The guy’s arm is tired,” Estes said. “You could tell in the ninth inning based on the mistakes he was making. I feel for the kid, I feel for him. He’s put in a tough position and now he’s going to get the blame for tonight’s game.”

Estes believed the answer was obvious: let ace Logan Webb finish what he started.

Webb dominated Washington for eight innings, allowing one run on five hits while striking out nine. He exited after 99 pitches despite facing little resistance throughout the night.

“He’s your ace,” Estes said. “He’s the guy that can handle that.”

Manager Tony Vitello defended the move afterward, citing Winn’s experience in late-game situations.

Estes wasn’t buying it.

“I don’t want to be the ‘hindsight is 20-20’ guy, but it just seems like that last inning, it was, it was lost when the inning started, just based on how it was managed,” Estes said. “And I hate to say that, but like, that’s a win you got to have right there.”

The criticism didn’t stop there. Estes also questioned the Giants’ decision to pitch to Nationals star CJ Abrams after a passed ball created an open base situation with runners in scoring position. Abrams promptly delivered a game-tying two-run single.

The loss dropped San Francisco to 27-40 and overshadowed another brilliant outing from Webb.

For a team sitting toward the bottom of the National League standings, watching a winnable game unravel in familiar fashion has frustrations at a fever pitch.