Pirates spoil McCutchen’s return as Giants drop fifth straight

PITTSBURGH — Andrew McCutchen got a standing ovation before each of his plate appearances Friday night, including one that lasted 90 seconds. That was the highlight of the night for the Giants.

Andrew Suarez became the latest Giants starter to get rocked and the lineup struck out 14 more times in an 11-2 loss to the Pirates, including two by McCutchen, who was 1 for 5 in his first game back. Through five games, the Giants are 0-for-Pennsylvania. They are back below .500. If that’s not enough, here’s more!

—- Suarez gave up a two-run homer in the first and another in the fourth. He didn’t pitch the fifth. The latest time through the rotation, the five Giants starters combined for just 22 innings and allowed 23 runs. Derek Holland was the best of the bunch and he gave up three earned in five innings.

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—- Jameson Taillon picked up where the Phillies left off. The hard-throwing right-hander had five strikeouts through the first three innings — including two of McCutchen — but he was removed before the top of the fourth with a finger laceration. The Giants have 69 strikeouts in their last five games.

—- Kyle Crick was traded for McCutchen. They faced off in the fifth, and McCutchen grounded out to third with a runner on. The Giants still probably won that trade, but you can bet Crick enjoyed that moment.

—- Old friend George Kontos , who was very, very excited about facing the Giants, pitched the eighth. He loaded the bases on a hit-by-pitch, error and single, but got McCutchen to ground out to third with two outs.

—- Jose Valdez made his Giants debut in the seventh. He was throwing 96 mph. He also gave up a two-run homer to Josh Bell on a fastball right down the middle. This bullpen has a serious depth issue.