Roupp still winless after late lead lost

June 20, 2026 - 05:45

The San Francisco Giants saw another promising start from Landen Roupp go to waste on Tuesday night, as the bullpen could not hold a late lead. Roupp, who is still searching for his first win of the season, pitched five solid innings, allowing just two runs on four hits while striking out five. He left the game with the Giants ahead 4-2, putting the team in position to secure a much-needed victory.

But the lead evaporated in the seventh inning. Reliever Sam Hentges entered the game and immediately ran into trouble. He gave up a double, a walk, and then a three-run homer that flipped the score in favor of the opposition. The Giants could not recover, eventually falling 5-4. The loss dropped Roupp's record to 0-3, despite a 3.12 ERA that suggests he has pitched better than his win-loss line indicates.

The combination of Roupp handing the ball to Hentges has become a familiar sight for Giants fans. While the duo has shown flashes of dominance, Tuesday night was a reminder that the margin for error is razor thin. Hentges has been effective in many outings, but his command issues on this night proved costly. Manager Bob Melvin acknowledged after the game that the team needs to find more consistency from the bullpen if they hope to support young starters like Roupp. For now, Roupp will have to wait for another chance to finally get that elusive first win.