Giants can't find offensive spark in Ray's 9-strikeout gem

MIAMI -- Once again, the Giants got a terrific outing not only from their starter, but the bullpen as well. Yet, in the end, the offense did not come through.

Robbie Ray allowed just one run in seven innings on Saturday, but that lone run was the difference in a 1-0 loss to the Marlins at loanDepot park.

The Giants have lost four of their past five, but have only been outscored 11-7 in the process.

The pitching has been fine.

“We would like to put up some more runs for these pitchers,’’ said second baseman Tyler Fitzgerald, who singled in the second, but struck out to end both the sixth and eighth innings with runners on.

“They are battling and out there competing every day. They are not allowing many runs, and we need to take advantage of these games while we’re in these close games. It starts tomorrow. The whole staff -- the bullpen, the starters -- have been lights out. It just comes down to our offense right now, myself included.”

Ray (7-1) sustained his first loss of the season despite another terrific outing, giving up two hits in his seven innings with nine strikeouts.

In the second, however, Miami was able to get something going -- however slight.

With two outs, Dane Myers and Nick Fortes both drew a walk. Myers raced home on a single to center from Javier Sanoja.

And that was it.

Miami starter Edward Cabrera (2-1) went 5 2/3 innings and allowed six hits while striking out five. The Marlins used four pitchers with Calvin Faucher getting his fourth save.

“It’s a tough loss, tough team loss when you lose 1-0,” Ray said. “Obviously, I want the team to go out and win. That’s what I pride myself on, keeping the team in it every time I go out there. So it’s a little frustrating. But, we’ll bounce back.”

The Giants did not do themselves many favors at the plate, but with eight hits, they had their chances.

San Francisco was 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left 11 stranded. In the past five games, the Giants are 4-for-33 with RISP.

In the past two games in Miami, San Francisco is 2-for-16.

“We got a lot of hits [Friday] and only got two runs, so our bats, today … we’re pretty good,’’ manager Bob Melvin said. “We couldn’t come through in a big situation. I thought Fitzgerald’s ball was gone and Jung Hoo’s was at least off the wall.”

The Giants were undone by a couple of spectacular defensive plays in Miami’s outfield.

They also ran themselves out of what could have been a good situation early.

Miami outfielders Heriberto Hernandez and Myers took away what could have been the deciding runs with a pair of highlight-reel leaping catches.

The first came from Hernandez in left when he leapt to take away what would have been a two-run homer from Fitzgerald to end the fourth.

Miami’s second act of larceny came from Myers in right-center field when he ranged back and smashed into the wall on a deep fly from Lee to wrap up the seventh.

Had Myers not gotten to that drive, the Giants at least would have tied the score at 1-1.

“That’s just the way it goes when you’re going like this, unfortunately,” Melvin said. “We get eight hits today, hit two like that and [have] nothing to show for it. Robbie gives up two hits, gives up a run and we lose. So we have to fight our way out of it.’’

As far as running themselves out of position, Matt Chapman led off the fourth with a single into center. He tried to stretch his single into a double, but was thrown out at second on a sharp throw from Myers.

Had he not tried to stretch that out, perhaps Fitzgerald’s long drive in the fourth would have only been the second out of the inning and not the third.

“With the quality of at-bats and the amount of hits we got,” Melvin continued, “you’re going to score a run or two. But you have to make your own luck.’’

The Giants wrap up their nine-game road trip Sunday at 1:40 p.m. PT hoping to end things on a high note.

San Francisco took two of three in Washington, but was swept in Detroit. Another series win would make the long flight home feel much better.

The Giants kick off a seven-game homestand Monday night against the Padres.

“It’s a long season,” Fitzgerald said. “Hopefully, we can get a win tomorrow, get back in front of the home fans and get back to winning some more.’’