Lopez’s feat rare in 2 ways

The tie was not the only unusual aspect of the 2016 Willie Mac Award voting. Co-winner Javier Lopez was only the second relief pitcher to get the honor. The other was Steve Bedrosian in 1990 as he pitched while his 2-year-old son Cody had leukemia.

This year, Lopez was selected with teammate Brandon Crawford.

“To share the award with Crawford is special,” Lopez said Saturday. “It’s an award you would normally see starters

or position players get. Being a reliever and somebody who’s respected in the clubhouse speaks volumes.”

Lopez also had kind words for the award’s namesake.

“When the Hall of Famers are around, I do try to say hello and see how they’re doing,” he said. “Willie has been one of the more engaging Hall of Famers who’s been around. He has been at all the games and he does so much with the

Junior Giants and the community, making himself accessible to all of us. It’s fun to spend a little bit of time with him.” In the air: As in 2010, the Giants will go into Game 162 not knowing if they will clinch a playoff spot or be forced to travel for a Monday tiebreaker game. Six years ago, manager Bruce Bochy told the players not to bring any luggage to the ballpark for the Sunday game, his way of expressing confidence they would beat the Padres.

Bochy said after Saturday’s win he was not sure if he would do the same thing now. They would face a much longer flight, so the time required for the players to go home, pack and return might not be helpful.