SF Giants must win out to finish .500 after loss to Cardinals

SAN FRANCISCO — Jerar Encarnacion homered and the Giants earned an early lead, but rookie starter Landen Roupp had an uncharacteristic blow-up, pitting San Francisco in too deep a deficit.

While playing from behind, the Giants squandered a couple chances, then couldn’t create any more during the late innings in a 6-3 loss. To finish .500 on the season, the Giants (79-81) must win each of their final two games at Oracle Park.

Mathematically eliminated from the postseason, the Giants have played their best ball of late.