The Giants could finish season as much as 9 games back. Still, how many sure wins -- or game-saving ties -- turned into losses?

At least 14:

• April 12: Benitez blows 3-run lead in 9th, picking up where Cody Ransom and Wayne Franklin left off in 2004. Benitez would blow out his hamstring a couple of weeks later. (9-8 loss to LA)
  
• April 20: 14 runners reach base, but only one scores. (2-1 loss to AZ)
  
• May 7: Accardo, in second ML appearance, is asked to be new closer, gives up 3 runs in top of 9th. Brower gives up one more. (11-8 loss to DC)
  
• Jun 19: Linden gives SF 3-run lead with 3-run HR in top of 9th, but Walker gives up 2 bombs in bottom of inning. Eyre loses in 10th. (10-8 loss to DET (10 inn.))
  
• Jul 4: Rueter blows early 6-1 lead; still, SF puts tying run on third with 1 out in 9th, but can't score. (11-10 loss to CIN)
  
• Jul 16: With 2 outs in 9th, Walker lets 5 straight runners reach, blows lead, loses. (5-4 loss to LA)
  
• Jul 25: Giants strand several runners on third, Hawkins blows lead in 8th, Walker gives up game-winner in 9th. (3-2 loss to CHI)
  
• Jul 27: Feliz strands runner on 3rd with one out -- twice. (4-3 loss to CHI)
  
• Aug 13: First two runners reach in 9th, but Feliz, Alfonzo and Linden can't move them up. (2-1 loss to FLA)
  
• Aug 19: Walker blows 4-run lead in 9th. (5-4 loss to STL)
  
• Aug 26: Vizquel leads off 9th with double, but Feliz can't move him to third. (1-0 loss to NY)
  
• Sept 6: Hawkins blows lead in 8th. (4-2 loss to LA (10 inn.))
  
• Sept 7: Reminiscent of April 12: Benitez blows 2-run lead by first giving up HR to Oscar ("2 HR") Robles. Another runner scores later to send SF to defeat. (9-8 loss to LA)
  
• Sept 14: Benitez blows 2-run lead with 2 outs. Along the way, Padres hit a pair of doubles when count is 0-2. (5-4 loss to SD)
  

1-0 loss at SD (11 inn.)    |    74-85