Giants' special season comes to abrupt end against Dodgers

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Only the San Francisco Giants themselves envisioned a season with success quite like this.

They were all but an afterthought given the defending World Series champion Dodgers and San Diego Padres had been heavy favorites to win the NL West out of spring training. The Giants instead captured their first division crown since 2012 by holding off eight-time reigning NL West champ Los Angeles on the final day.

Still, a franchise-record 107 wins to edge the Dodgers by a single game for the division? No way. Or those career years by the Brandons — Belt and Crawford? Probably not that either. Or young Logan Webb dominating the Dodgers twice on the big October stage? Nah.

But San Francisco’s surprising season ended abruptly on its home field with a 2-1 loss to LA in the decisive Game 5 of the NL Division Series on Thursday night.

“The unselfishness that this team showed throughout the year, the trust that they showed in one another was second to none, better than any season that I’ve ever been a part of as a player, as a coach, in any position in baseball," manager Gabe Kapler said. “I just respect the hell out of a team-first mentality. I’ve never seen it like this. This is the best I’ve ever seen."

There will be time this winter to ponder all they accomplished, yet for now this really stings.

“That clubhouse in there is extremely special and it’s because it’s full of great people that you want to be friends with your whole life,” utilityman Darin Ruf said. “When you take the field with them, everyone’s got your back, you know, everyone is pulling in the same direction and going to step up, step up for you if -- you saw examples of it all year. Guys go down, next guy steps up.”

Here are some highlights from a 107-55 year during which the Giants held...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Giants-special-season-comes-to-abrupt-end-16536914.php