L: Doval (0-1)
SV: Chapman (1)

Picture this: it’s a sunny Saturday afternoon, you’ve got a cold drink in hand, and the San Francisco Giants are facing off against the Kansas City Royals. Things seem to be going smoothly for the Giants at first, with a score of 4-0 in their favor by the middle of the game. Unfortunately, this story doesn’t have the happiest ending for our San Fran favorites.

Starting off strong, Giants’ Sean Manaea seemed untouchable, racking up five strikeouts and a top-speed sinker at 96 MPH. But just like my attention span after one too many energy drinks, things started to get a bit shaky for the Giants in the top of the 4th. Manaea managed to recover from some near-disasters, ultimately keeping the Royals from getting on the scoreboard.

But, lo and behold, the bottom of the inning had Giants fans cheering as they added runs to their lead. LaMonte Wade Jr. started it off with a blast into McCovey Cove, followed by an RBI sacrifice fly, and RBI singles from Thairo Estrada and Brandon Crawford. Things were looking pretty sweet with the score at 4-0, Giants.

Of course, good things can’t last forever. Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. managed to score their first run with a solo homer in the top of the 6th. Thankfully, Manaea remained unfazed, retiring the side and keeping the Giants’ lead safe. The bottom of the inning had Thairo Estrada and Brandon Crawford racking up even more runs, with the score now sitting at a comfortable 5-1.

Enter stage left: Ross Stripling, taking over for Manaea in the top of the 7th. Despite giving up a homer to Franmil Reyes and letting the Royals inch closer at 5-2, Stripling got through the inning. Though, in the words of the ever-quotable DJ Khaled, “another one” – another rough inning, that is – was just around the corner.

You’d think we’d learn from our mistakes, but alas, Stripling was sent back out for the 8th. Things seemed to be going alright, with two quick outs under his belt, but then the Royals fought back with back-to-back singles and a 3-run homer from Salvador Perez, tying the game at 5-5.

At this point, I’m on the edge of my seat, praying for the Giants to pull it together in the bottom of the 8th. The opportunity was there – bases loaded with no outs – but in a classic plot twist, Taylor Clarke strikes out three Giants in a row, leaving us with nothing.

Fast-forward to the top of the 9th: the Royals’ Nate Eaton scores off of a wild pitch from Camilo Doval, bringing the score to 6-5 in favor of Kansas City. Aroldis Chapman seals the deal with a perfect 9th, and the Giants face another loss to the Royals.

Tomorrow’s Easter Sunday game will have us crossing our fingers for better luck as Giants righty Anthony DeSclafani faces off against Royals lefty Kris Bubic at 1:05 PM PT. Will the Giants pull it together, or will we be left searching for a win like we’re hunting for Easter eggs? Only time will tell.