Giants closer Hunter Strickland punches door, fractures pinky after blowing save against Marlins
Late Monday night, after exiting the game having blown a save against the Miami Marlins, San Francisco Giants closer Hunter Strickland punched a door and fractured his right pinky.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy told reporters Tuesday that Strickland will be out at least six to eight weeks: “I’m sure he felt fully responsible (for the loss),” Bochy said. “He didn’t think before it happened.”
Bochy said closer will be either Watson or Dyson. He will talk to them before the game. Johnson coming back up to take roster spot.
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) June 19, 2018
How did Strickland blow the save?
San Francisco led Miami 4-2 in the ninth inning, with Strickland pitching for the save opportunity. He walked Brian Anderson to begin the ninth inning. Then, J.T. Realmuto hit an RBI double.
After walking Justin Bour, Strickland recorded his only out. But then, Miguel Rojas singled to right, scoring Cameron Maybin for the winning run.
In a quiet clubhouse postgame, Strickland said of his performance to the San Francisco Chronicle: “It’s unacceptable.”
What is Strickland’s long-term prognosis?
Through 34 games pitched in 2018, Strickland is 3-3 with 13 saves.
Now, though, he’ll sit for six to eight weeks. Bochy told reporters Tuesday he was “disappointed” and “crushed” about the injury. Not only had Strickland grown as a player, but he had also grown as a person, Bochy said.
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