Surprise, surprise, the Giants lost again

Let’s remember something: 2020 is not the top priority for the San Francisco Giants.

That’s not to say it’s not important. Kevin Gausman wouldn’t be on the team anymore if it weren’t important. Pablo Sandoval and Hunter Pence still would be.

2020 is important, and the Giants are — despite a horrendous few days — still in playoff position.

But the future is a lot more important.

So repeat that to yourself because otherwise you’re going to be very upset about what transpired on Sunday, especially if you’re a fan of the other San Francisco sports team that was playing.

With that mindset, here’s what you should take away from the Giants 3-1 loss to the San Diego Padres in the second game of their doubleheader, which left them outscored 9-1 on the day, and without a win in the series: Logan Webb and Joey Bart are 23 years old.

That is a young age. As a former 23 year old who is now washed, I can confirm that.

Webb was given a short leash, because the Giants could afford to be hyper-aggressive with bullpen usage, even if that plan backfired. But he was quite good in the time he spent on the field, allowing 4 hits, 1 walk, and 1 earned run in 4 innings, while striking out 5. It was a very encouraging start, even if Webb will be unhappy that he didn’t get to stay out longer.

It’s easy to forget Webb when we talk about young players that might be on the next great Giants team. It’s easy to forget that this was just the 18th start of Webb’s career — he’s played only half a season in the Majors. And that’s in addition to making just one start in AAA, and only 13 in AA.

He’ll presumably get a fair bit better, but as is he’s the second-best starting pitcher in the Giants rotation right now, and a reason to be excited about the team.

His battery mate Joey Bart didn’t do anything notable with the bat — the Giants, as a team, didn’t — but he showed off why he’s a strong defensive prospect with a brilliant throw to nab a very fast Fernando Tatis Jr. in the first inning.

And then he put his arm on display again an inning later.

That one was a beauty.

Bart almost had the hat trick later in the game, but his defense did him no favors. Kind of a theme this year, isn’t it. And certainly a theme on Sunday, when what should have been an Evan Longoria error (but was instead ruled a hit) sparked the go-ahead rally.

So the Giants weren’t good, and they weren’t worth watching for how they’d make you feel about the season, but if a mediocre team is going to suffer an ugly loss, it’s best if their two best players are also the two youngest players on their active roster.

That’s a silver lining, even if it was a stupid day with stupid sports on your stupid TV.