Giants reliever Tony Watson won’t blame fatigue for decline
MILWAUKEE — The Giants’ bullpen has had a rough go lately, and nobody’s about-face has been more jarring than left-hander Tony Watson’s.
As Watson pitched to a 1.50 ERA over his first 42 games, the Giants were talking about him as a potential All-Star and everyone viewed his spring training signing as a major coup.
In 22 games since July 9, he has an ERA of 6.23, putting his season’s ERA at 2.88. He also has endured a huge leap in opponents’ batting average (.247 prior, .315 since) and OPS (.499 prior, .929 since).
The reasons are a mystery.
The 33-year-old could blame fatigue, especially after pitching through Game 7 of the World Series last year with the Dodgers, making 11 postseason appearances.