SAN FRANCISCO >> Even the sea gulls are throwing the struggling San Francisco Giants for a loss this year.

The San Jose Mercury News reported Saturday that Giants officials are stumped with finding a humane solution to a worsening problem at home games.

The gulls have routinely showed up at the end of night games since the park opened in 2000 along the San Francisco Bay. But it appears an increasing number of birds are crashing night games this year, bothering players, workers and fans alike.

Hundreds sometimes land on the field during play. They also defecate on fans and create cleanup headaches for staff.

Giants officials say they take the issue seriously, but have yet to come up with an acceptable method to rid the park of the birds.