Giants skunked on three hits in loss to Cubs

Novice fans need not read dusty old books to learn about the dead-ball era. Just come to AT&T Park and see it live.

The Giants are pitching like it’s the early 1900s. Problem is, they’re hitting like it, too, and they did not hit at all in Tuesday night’s 2-0 loss, which evened their series against the Cubs at a win apiece.

The Giants got singles by Brandon Crawford, Brandon Belt and Chase d’Arnaud in his first start with the club at second base. They got one runner to second base in a game the Cubs settled with two runs in the seventh inning against Derek Holland and Sam Dyson.

It has to be infuriating for the manager, coaches and the guys who swing the bat to waste the kind of pitching the Giants are getting.

In this series, the Giants have held the National League’s highest-scoring offense to three runs in 20 innings. That should be enough to win twice, not split.

They have scored three or fewer runs in eight of their nine games since leaving Arizona on July 1. Not surprisingly, they are 3-6 during the stretch. Their 13-run burst Sunday seems so distant after two rough games at the plate against Chicago.

The Giants have scored two or fewer runs in a staggering 35 of their 94 games. Also not surprisingly, they are 7-28 in those contests.

One more stat worth noting: With Evan Longoria out and Buster Posey’s bat limited by his hip injury, the Giants are flailing against left-handed pitching. They have lost 11 of their past 16 games when facing a lefty starter, including Tuesday night against Jose Quintana.

They see another lefty in Mike Montgomery when they try to win the series Wednesday behind Johnny Cueto.

“We’ve got to fix it,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “Lefties are doing a number on us. We’ve got to get some right-handed bats hot.”

The Giants’ lefty starter was also pretty good.

Holland excelled during a planned spot start just one week after Bochy moved him to the bullpen. After seeing Holland throw 50 pitches in relief Thursday, 32 more Saturday, then blank the Cubs for the first six innings Tuesday, Bochy learned he has a Swiss Army knife on his staff who can pitch in any situation.

Holland seems to be happy being that guy.

“I’m OK either way, ’pen or rotation,” he said. “I’m not going to complain either way.”

Addison Russell’s one-out double ended Holland’s night and ultimately led to the loss.

When Bochy turned to Dyson, Cubs manager Joe Maddon countered with Kyle Schwarber, who stood at the plate as the Cubs took a 1-0 lead on a Run Thrown In. Addison advanced on a wild pitch that catcher Nick Hundley kept in front of him, then scored on Hundley’s ill-advised and wild throw to Pablo Sandoval at third base.

Dyson allowed an RBI double by Victor Caratini later in the inning after walking his second hitter.

The Giants also learned something about 28-year-old rookie Ray Black. Bochy wanted to get Black into another game as quickly as possible after Sunday’s walk-walk-homer big-league debut against the Cardinals.

Against Chicago, Black struck out Willson Contreras on a 79-mph curveball and Russell on a 99-mph fastball before getting Schwarber to pop out on another 99-mph pitch.

“I’m not going to lie. I was itching for an inning,” Black said. “First time out, first time in the stadium, seeing all the fans, I was a little overwhelmed. Tonight I was a lot more comfortable. I just trusted my delivery and went from there.”

Henry Schulman is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @hankschulman