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Cardinal linebacker Gabe Kaminski (left) sacks Hawaii Rainbow Warriors quarterback Micah Alejado (right) at Stanford Stadium. (photo by Honolulu Star Advertiser) By Michael Roberson STANFORD, Calif. –As the Stanford Cardinal (1-0) opened the 2026 season… More
Baltimore Orioles first baseman Coby Mayo (16) puts out Sacramento Athletics’ Henry Bolte, left, during the second inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif.Sara Nevis/AP Photo/Sara Nevis By Mauricio… More
San Francisco Giants starter Yunior Marte throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second game of a doubleheader at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sat Aug 29, 2026 (AP News photo) By William Espy… More
San Francisco Giants Bryce Eldridge (8) is tagged out by Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Gaberial Moreno (14) in the bottom of the fourth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sat Aug 29, 2026 (AP News photo)
Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026
Oracle Park
San Francisco, California
Arizona Diamondbacks 7 (73-64)
San Francisco Giants 1 (55-81)
Win: Merrill Kelly (9-12)
Loss: Matt Wilkinson (0-2)
Time: 2:38
Attendance: 39,190
By Stephen Ruderman
SAN FRANCISCO–Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson pitched six-plus shutout innings in his Oracle Park debut, but Ryan Walker came in, and Lars Nootbaar hit a grand slam in the top of the seventh inning to power the Diamondbacks to a 7-1 win behind a strong seven-inning start by Merrill Kelly.
Of course, this was the first game of a unique doubleheader. The Giants are headed to Atlanta to play their makeup game against the Braves on Monday, and the Giants needed their off-day in between a three-timezone trip back east, per MLB rules.
Now, to clear a few housecleaning items here. Or, shall we say a housecleaning item. Of course we had the controversy last night with Nolan Arenado’s double that bounded over the third base bag. Balls that bound over the bag are not reviewable, but Tony Vitello and Logan Webb both thought it was a foul ball. Both were ejected—Vitello by Alan Porter, and Webb by Roberto Ortiz—for arguing after the end of the inning. When Ron Wotus took out the lineup card Saturday, he had a few choice words for Porter, and was promptly tossed. Wotus, like Webb last night, showed that he had the Giants’ rookie skipper’s back.
Once that was all settled, Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson, who was brought up as the 27th man on the Giants’ roster for the doubleheader, took the ball for his third big league start, and his first home start here at Oracle Park. It was an exciting opportunity for Giants’ fans—and yours truly—to get their first in-person look at a real throwback. Tugboat is a lot like David Wells. A big fat left-handed finesse guy with a low-90s fastball. However, their secondary pitches are different.
This one was a pitcher’s duel from the very get go. Wilkinson and Diamondbacks’ starter matched zeros through the first six innings.
When Wilkinson would strike out a guy, the fog horn went off. You know, because he’s Tugboat. With Wilkinson being a finesse guy, he only struck out four. Though that’s what kept his pitch count down, and allowed him to go as long as he did.
Wilkinson had only given up three hits through the first six innings, and was back out for the seventh. However, after he walked Gabriel Moreno and Geraldo Perdomo to start the inning, he was done.
In came Ryan Walker, and I think you all know where this is going. Arenado reached on a fielder’s choice, in which Perdomo was out at second base. Tim Tawa then walked to load the bases. Lars Nootbaar pinch-hit for Jose Fernandez, and hit a grand salami into the water to give the Diamondbacks a 4-0 lead.
Fans have shown their frustration this season with sporadic booing of the Giants’ bad play. When Walker walked off the field to end the top of the seventh, he was showered with a whole chorus of boos.
Kelly finished off his day with a one, two, three bottom of the seventh. He gave up just two hits, and struck out seven.
Seth Lonsway came in to make his major league debut in the top of the eighth. Lonsway struck out Ildemaro Vargas on three pitches to start his big league career, and got lengthy applause for his first pitch and first strikeout.
The Diamondbacks did tack on a run in the eighth, and two more in the ninth off Lonsway. However, with the doubleheader, it was quite important for Lonsway to eat up a pair of innings. It wasn’t the greatest major league debut, but Lonsway certainly did his job.
The Giants got on the board against Taylor Clarke in the bottom of the eighth when Jung Hoo Lee—on his bobblehead day—singled in Rafael Devers. Brandyn Garcia then ended it with a one, two, three inning in the bottom of the ninth.
Merrill Kelly got the win, and Tugboat got a major league hardnosed loss.
With this loss, the Giants have fallen to 55-81, and have officially clinched their fifth-straight non-winning season. It is the first time in their 144-year history that the Giants have had five-straight non-winning seasons. That is correct. It has never happened before. They had their first blown ninth-inning six-run lead, and their first five-season non-winning streak in just four days. What a season!
Hall-of-Famer Jeff Kent will have his number retired prior to the second game, which will get underway at 7:05 p.m.
Roster moves:
Spencer Bivens was sent back to Triple-A Sacramento to make room for Seth Lonsway.
Sacramento A’s pitcher Jack Perkins gets the call against the Baltimore Orioles at Sutter Health Park at West Sacramento on Sat Aug 29, 2026 (AP News photo)
Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Harvey:
#1 How important was the Sacramento A’s Jonah Heim’s seventh-inning solo home run in starting the A’s comeback, and what did his at-bat show about his approach against the Baltimore Orioles Brandon Young?
#2 What did Lawrence Butler’s eighth-inning RBI single do to change the momentum of the game, and how has his recent hitting helped the A’s offense?
#3 How did Zack Gelof keep the A’s alive with his RBI single in the 10th inning, and what more could have been needed from the A’s lineup in that situation?
#4 How would you evaluate Jacob Lopez’s five-inning start, considering that he allowed two runs but only one was earned?
#5 Saturday for game two of the three game set starting pitcher for Baltimore RHP Shane Baz (4-14 ERA 4.04) for Sacramento RHP Jack Perkins (3-9 ERA 6.68) first pitch 7:05 pm at Sutter Health Park.
Tony Harvey is a news correspondant for NBC Radio and does the Sacramento A’s podcasts Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.
Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.
Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street
Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.
San Francisco Giants Bryce Eldridge gives thanks to the Almighty after connecting for a home run in the bottom of the first innng at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Fri Aug 28, 2026 (AP News photo)
San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman:
#1 How did Bryce Eldridge and Christian Koss contribute offensively for the Giants, and how important were their home runs in keeping San Francisco competitive?
#2 What went wrong for Giants starting pitcher Blade Tidwell, particularly during Arizona’s five-run third inning?
#3How did Jung Hoo Lee, Bryce Eldridge, and Christian Koss help the Giants build an early lead despite Arizona’s eventual comeback?
#4 What impact did Logan Webb’s ejection have on the Giants, and what circumstances led to manager Tony Vitello and Webb being ejected?
#5 With the Giants scoring six runs and hitting home runs through Bryce Eldridge and Christian Koss, what prevented San Francisco from overcoming Arizona’s pitching and offensive surge?
Join Stephen Ruderman for the San Francisco Giants podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
Kiss it goodbye as the Sacramento A’s Jonah Heim heads home after hitting a seventh inning home run against the Baltimore Orioles at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Fri Aug 28, 2026 (AP News photo)
A’s Rally Falls One Run Short in Ten 4-3
By Mauricio Segura
WEST SACRAMENTO- The Athletics found themselves in a two-run hole for most of the game, tied it in the eighth, then watched Baltimore build another two-run lead in the tenth. Coby Mayo and Christian Encarnacion-Strand delivered consecutive two-out RBI singles off Brady Basso, and the Orioles held off the A’s 4-3 in ten innings. Sacramento still had life in the bottom half when Zack Gelof singled home automatic runner Alika Williams with two outs, but Alex Hoppe retired Lawrence Butler to finish the game. The loss dropped the Athletics to 53-82 and clinched a fifth consecutive losing season.
Baltimore built its first advantage against Jacob Lopez in the second. Coby Mayo was hit by a pitch, Leody Taveras drew a one-out walk, and Dylan Beavers brought Mayo home with a two-out single to right. Taveras then scored when Carlos Narváez reached on Lopez’s fielding error.
Lopez prevented the inning from getting worse when Blaze Alexander’s infield single sent Beavers toward the plate and the left-hander threw home to Jonah Heim for the out. Lopez recovered, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks over five innings while striking out six. The outing extended his run to nine straight starts allowing two runs or fewer, continuing the longest such stretch by an Athletics traditional starter since Justin Duchscherer went 11 straight in 2008.
The A’s had chances against Brandon Young but struggled to turn baserunners into runs. Tommy White and Max Muncy singled in the second, only for Carlos Cortes to strike out and Heim to ground out. Muncy added another single in the fifth, while Gelof singled, stole second and watched Butler draw a walk in the sixth. Young escaped all of it. He carried the 2-0 lead into the seventh before Heim finally broke through, driving a two-out solo homer to right for his 12th of the season. Young finished seven innings with five hits, one run, one walk and four strikeouts.
The comeback reached even in the eighth. Henry Bolte was hit by a pitch from Rico Garcia, Jeff McNeil singled to left, and Gelof moved both runners with a sacrifice bunt. Butler followed with a single to left that scored Bolte, tying the game 2-2. The same play also kept the Athletics from taking the lead, as Beavers threw McNeil out at home. Butler entered the game riding a five-game hitting streak and batting .362 over his previous 16 games, and his tying single pushed that streak to six.
From there, neither side gave much away. Luis Medina retired the Orioles in order in the eighth. Hogan Harris worked around a Colton Cowser walk in the ninth with help from Heim, who threw Cowser out trying to steal second. Baltimore’s Andrew Kittredge answered with a scoreless bottom of the ninth despite Cortes’ one-out single, sending the game to extras.
That put Basso in a difficult spot with Narváez beginning the 10th at second. After Alexander lined out, Basso intentionally put Pete Alonso on first. Gunnar Henderson ran for Alonso, Jackson Holliday struck out, and Baltimore was down to its final out of the inning. Mayo then singled Narváez home, and Encarnacion-Strand followed with another single to score Henderson for a 4-2 lead. It was a rough turn for Basso, who had posted a 1.74 ERA and allowed no run in 11 of 13 appearances since his July recall before this game.
The Athletics made one final push. With Williams starting at second, Hoppe struck out Bolte and retired McNeil before Gelof lined a single to center to make it 4-3. Butler then grounded out to end it. Gelof finished 2-for-4 with a stolen base, a sacrifice bunt and an RBI, while Muncy also had two hits. The A’s collected nine hits to Baltimore’s six, but the Orioles made their six count just enough.
Game 2 is set for 7:05 p.m. Pacific Saturday night, with Baltimore sending Shane Baz (4-14, 4.04 ERA, 135 strikeouts) to the mound, and Jack Perkins (3-9, 6.68 ERA, 104 strikeouts) for the Athletics according to Manager Kotsay Friday night in his post game presser.
Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, Golden Bay Times.
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.
Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.
Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street
Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.
San Francisco Giants (#0) Drew Gilbert at-bat against Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher (#68) Gerardo Carrillo in the bottom of the fifth inning of an MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Friday, August 28th, 2026. (Photo credit to editor Michael Villanueva)
By Michael Villanueva
SAN FRANCISCO – After winning Thursday night’s game over Arizona, the Giants now have won three of their last four games. The San Francisco Giants (55-80) failed to secure a split series against the Arizona Diamondbacks (72-64), losing Friday night’s game, 10-6. This is the Giants’ ninth loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, their most in a single season against the Diamondbacks since 2022.
The winning pitcher would go to Arizona Diamondback Gerardo Carrillo, his third of the season. The losing pitcher would go to San Francisco Giants Blade Tidwell, his first loss of the season. Tidwell finished the night with seven hits, six runs, four strikeouts, and three home runs.
First pitch of the game and Arizona was not playing around and taking last night’s loss easy. Arizona’s Lars Nootbaar gets his fifth homer of the season on a fly ball to center field. San Francisco Giants pitcher Blade Tidwell’s first pitch of his first start of the season was not what he expected, but he was able to shake it off and strike out the next two batters.
However, San Francisco Giants Bryce Eldridge took Nootbaar’s homer personally, so at his first at-bat of the game, Eldridge brings in his 15th homer of the season out to right field, and tying the ball game at 1-1 after the bottom of the first inning. Going into the second inning, Giants pitcher Blade Tidwell was able to shake off his first-inning performance and get the next three outs with ease.
The Giants were able to get a run in at the bottom of the second inning. Giants Jung Hoo Lee got himself a single, and then after that was able to get in scoring position for himself. Setting up his teammate, Giants Turner Hill, on a sacrifice out, and bringing in Lee to score, and taking the lead, 2-1. After that, going into the third inning, Arizona took over the game from here.
Arizona’s Lars Nootbaar strikes again and gets himself a double, his eleventh of the season. Then Arizona Corbin Carroll got himself his 19th homer of the season, to center field, and bringing in two runs and taking the lead at, 3-2. The Diamondbacks were not done with their hitting as Geraldo Perdomo gets a single. Next, Arizona’s Nolan Arenado gets his twenty-first double of the season. Setting up his teammate, Tim Tawa, to get his ninth homer of the season and bring in three runs, making the score 6-2.
After Arizona’s five runs scoring inning, the Giants were frustration was showing, especially from the bullpen. Giants manager Tony Vitello and RHP Logan Webb were both ejected from the ballgame in the bottom of the third. San Francisco was able to bounce back after losing their manager and get a run in from Bryce Eldridge on his 17th double of the season, which that had brought in Giants Rafael Devers to score, 6-3.
San Francisco was able to at least get a run in the first four innings of the game. At the bottom of the fourth, Giants Christian Koss joins the homerun party, as he would get himself his first of the season and bringing in a run as well. The Giants would be down by one run, 6-5. With Koss’s homer, the Giants were ready to do whatever it takes to get this home win. However, the Giants would mentally fall apart after San Francisco changed pitchers. The Giants would end Blade Tidwell’s night and bring in RHP Spencer Bivens.
With the Giants changing pitchers, that still didn’t stop Arizona from bringing in more runs. Spencer’s first batter was Arizona’s Tim Tawa; Tawa would get himself on base with a single, and then the next batter, James McCann, would hit a ground-rule double to left field, his sixth of the season. Ultimately setting up their teammate Lldemaro Vargas for a single and bringing in his teammates for two more runs. The score was now 8-5. Then, Vargas would score from Corbin Carroll’s sacrifice fly to left field, making the score 9-5.
Heading into the top of the seventh inning, Arizona was able to get one more run for the night from Geraldo Perdomo, who got walked and then was able to get himself into scoring position from James McCann’s single to left field. Arizona would now hold a five run lead over San Francisco, 10-5.
Arizona’s last run was ultimately the dagger in this ball game as the Giants were unable to get a comeback going in front of the home crowd. At most, San Francisco would be able to get one run in at the bottom of the eighth, and then after that it became a smooth night for the Diamondbacks as they would get the win.
The San Francisco Giants are gonna have themselves a long day Saturday as the team prepares for a doubleheader with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The first game will have the first pitch at 1:05 p.m., and the second game’s first pitch will be at 7:05 p.m.
Both of these games will be broadcast live on NBCS BA. Starting pitchers for the front game Arizona RHP Merrill Kelly (8-12 ERA 5.35) for San Francisco TBA. In the night cap for Arizona LHP Mitch Bratt (1-2 ERA 4.54) for San Francisco TBA.
Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) reacts after drawing a foul after a shot made during the WNBA game against the Toronto Tempo on Friday, August 28, 2026, at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.(RJ Forbus – The Sporting Tribune)
By Rich Perez
With the season rapidly winding down, the Las Vegas Aces (26-13) took on the Toronto Tempo at Michelob ULTRA Arena (11-27) and winding down the season on a winning note with a 93-73 win.
Currently in third place, Las Vegas would love to finish with a winning streak and possibly pull into second place in the standings. Friday night they took on one of the new franchises and the first WNBA team located outside the United States.
The Tempo are going through the growing pains that any new franchise more often than not experience. Las Vegas will be looking for their third win in a row.
The first quarter came to an end with the Aces taking a 27-17 lead. Las Vegas would be looking to extend that lead in the second quarter, the goal to build a significant lead going into the half. Las Vegas did indeed extend their lead outscoring the Tempo 29-22 in the second quarter and taking a 56-39 lead into the locker room at the half.
Las Vegas barely outscored the Tempo in the third quarter but continued to lead 74-55. The Tempo had dug themselves into a pretty deep hole as they continued to struggle against the all-around solid play from Las Vegas. Toronto played the Aces pretty even in the fourth quarter.
GAME NOTES
The Aces came out strong in the opening quarter. As Las Vegas have seen often, Jackie Young was on fire hitting three shots from beyond the arc. She finished the quarter with 12 points and was 4-of-6 shooting with three assists.
Las Vegas had excellent pressure forcing nine Toronto turnovers while only committing one. They created extra possessions and easy scoring chances. They were shooting 47% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc. The Tempo were shooting 43% from the field and 33% from three. A’Ja Wilson was helping create offense taking up residence inside.
The Aces continued their defense and the hot start from Jackie Young in the second quarter and that was making all the difference so far in this game. They did extend their lead in the second quarter outscoring the Tempo 29-22 and taking a 56-39 lead at halftime.
The largest lead for the Aces in the first half was 18 points. They were playing really clean with only five fouls and had 18 points in the paint. At the half the Aces only had one turnover while the 11 turnovers for Toronto resulted in ten Las Vegas points. The Aces also had six steals.
Toronto had 12 fouls sending Las Vegas to the line where they hit 13 of 14 shots. The Tempo was four of four from the line. The Tempo was really struggling with the Aces intensity and especially their defense. Las Vegas would like to close out this game in the third quarter.
A’Ja Wilson had already made 18 points in the first half with Jackie Young right behind her with 17. Off the bench Cheyenne Parker-Tyrus was on edge of double digits with nine points in only six minutes on the court.
Early in the third quarter the Aces extended their lead to 21, their largest of the game. They had beaten the Tempo last Sunday 88-78 in Toronto and were on course to create even more of a margin in Friday night’s game.
Toronto refused to back down however. The Tempo went on a 8-0 run five minutes into the quarter and the Aces needed to put a stop to the Toronto rally. The Aces 21 point lead had been shaven down to 13 points by the Tempo and Las Vegas had to get back on track.
The Aces had three turnovers in the third quarter as the Tempo brought a lot more intensity to the third quarter. Toronto was playing even with the Aces in the third quarter. As the quarter came to an end Las Vegas had pushed their lead back out to 74-55 outscoring the Tempo in the third 18-16. Toronto was going to back down although they had dug themselves into a pretty deep hole in the first half.
The Aces brought the pressure in the fourth quarter extending their lead back out to 87-62 their largest lead of the game with a little over five minutes left in the game. It would seem that the fourth quarter meltdowns that the Aces were dealing with a while ago had been completely cleaned up and they were peaking at the perfect time.
The Aces head to Seattle to face the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena just under the Space Needle on Sep 17th for a 7:00pm PDT tip.
Golden State Valkyries guard Gabby Williams (1) drives on the New York Liberty forward Breanna Steward (30) at the Barclay Center in Brooklyn on Thu Aug 27, 2026 (AP News photo)
Golden State Valkyrie podcast Michael Villanueva:
#1 How did Cecilia Zandalasini’s 20-point performance set the tone for the Valkyries’ 79–60 victory over the Liberty?
#2 What impact did Veronica Burton make beyond scoring, particularly with her season-high 13 assists and zero turnovers?
#3 How did Gabby Williams contribute to Golden State’s offensive success with 16 points and four 3-pointers?
#4 What did Tiffany Hayes and Kiah Stokes provide off the bench and defensively that helped the Valkyries control the game?
#5 How did the combined performances of Zandalasini, Burton, Williams, Hayes, and Stokes help Golden State hold New York to a season-low 60 points?
Michael Villanueva is a Golden State Valkyries beat writer at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
San Francisco Giants Drew Gilbert (0) slugs a home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the bottom of the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Thu Aug 27, 2026 (AP News photo)
San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez:
#1 The San Francisco Giants win over the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-1 snaps the Giants four game home losing streak to the Arizona that goes back to Sep 10, 2025.
#2 The Giants Drew Gilbert slugged a leadoff home run his first leadoff home run of his career.
#3 Gilbert is now hitting .288, with nine runs, with seven extra base hits, with three home runs, 13 RBIs and has made a difference in the lineup.
#4 Giants starting pitcher Landen Roupp held the Diamondbacks off going five innings, allowing four hits, walked two, and struck out three hitters.
#5 D-Backs-Giants match up for game two of the series Friday at 7:15pm PDT. Starters for Arizona LHP Kohl Drake (0-1 ERA 5.40) and for San Francisco RHP Blade Tidwell (0-0 ERA 3.58).
Join Lincoln Juarez for the SF Giants podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
Minnestoa Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) celebrates after scoring against the Dallas Stars in the first period of game 6 of the NHL Western Conference First round at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Thu Apr 30, 2026. Hughes and the Wild are currently to settle on a contract agreement before camp opens in September (AP file photo)
NHL podcast Leno Shapiro:
Quinn Hughes: With Minnesota and Quinn Hughes still working toward a contract extension, how important is it for the Wild to get their star defenseman signed before training camp?
Erik Karlsson: What role could Erik Karlsson play for the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2026–27, and can he return to the elite offensive production that made him one of the NHL’s premier defensemen?
Brock Boeser: With speculation surrounding Brock Boeser’s future in Vancouver, should the Canucks prioritize keeping their scoring winger or consider moving him for other roster pieces?
Mason McTavish: How much can Mason McTavish’s addition to the St. Louis Blues’ offense change the team’s chances of returning to the playoffs?
Connor McMichael: Can Connor McMichael become a major offensive contributor for St. Louis alongside Mason McTavish, and what should the Blues expect from him in 2026–27?
Len Shapiro does the NHL podcasts each Thursday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
Landen Roupp #65 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning at Oracle Park on August 27, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Mandatory photo credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
By Jeremiah Salmonson
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The Giants suffered maybe their most brutal loss of the year on Wednesday during the getaway day game against the Cincinnati Reds. Leading 9-3 heading into the ninth inning, the Giants coughed up the lead and lost the game 10-9 in what was a disastrous bullpen performance. On Thursday, the Giants looked to get back on track as they welcomed the Arizona Diamondbacks to town at 6:45 p.m. PDT at Oracle Park for an NL West showdown.
The Giants defeated the Diamondbacks behind a strong offensive showing in the eighth inning, 6-1. Landen Roupp got the win, and he is now 8-13 on the season.
Landen Roupp took the mound for the Giants to open the four-game series against the Snakes as he made his 26th appearance this season (all starts). Roupp, who entered play on Thursday as the league’s losingest pitcher, cruised through the first three innings of the game before running into some trouble in the fourth inning. Roupp gave up a solo home run to start the inning before the Diamondbacks loaded the bases with just one out. Landen worked out of that jam to limit the damage to just the home run. All in, Roupp went five innings of one-run, four-hit baseball while walking two and striking out three. It was a solid outing for Roupp, who has averaged about five and a third innings this year in his starts.
Trent Harris was first out of the bullpen for Tony Vitello and the Giants as he came in to relieve Roupp and pitched the sixth and seventh innings. Harris was fantastic as he didn’t allow a hit or a walk in his two innings while striking out three Diamondbacks hitters.
Carson Seymour was next out of the arm barn for the Giants as he came on to pitch the eighth inning. Seymour did his best to match Harris as he threw a scoreless inning, allowing no runs or hits while walking one.
In the ninth inning and with the lead, the Giants turned to Ryan Walker to try and get the final three outs. It wasn’t as clean as the Giants would have liked it, but Walker recorded the final three outs of the game without giving up a run. Walker tossed a scoreless ninth while giving up two hits and striking out one.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Giants scored six runs on seven hits while walking two times.
The Giants’ first run of the game came with their first batter of the game as Drew Gilbert drilled a solo home run over the wall in right-center field. Gilbert knew he got it when he hit it as he stood and admired the shot at home plate for a moment before commencing his jog around the bases. It was Gilbert’s eighth home run of the season and his 35th RBI as it also marked the third time this season the Giants have opened a game with a home run.
The Giants’ second run of the game also came courtesy of Drew Gilbert as he drove home Christian Koss with an RBI sacrifice fly in the fifth inning. It was Gilbert’s second RBI of the game and his 36th of the season.
In the eighth inning, the Giants exploded for four runs behind Jung Hoo Lee, Rafael Devers and Bryce Eldridge, starting a rally.
Bryce Eldridge doubled home Jung Hoo Lee, who reached with a pinch-hit walk two batters earlier, to give the Giants their third run of the game. It was the 16th double for Bryce and his 36th RBI of the year.
Jonah Cox gave the Giants their fourth run of the game on an RBI single to center field that scored Rafael Devers from third base, his seventh RBI of the year.
Turner Hill was next to get in on the action as he drove in his fourth run of the year as Bryce Eldridge scored on his RBI single.
Lastly, the Giants scored their sixth run of the game on an RBI sacrifice bunt from Shay Whitcomb, who drove in Jonah Cox. It was the eighth RBI of the year for Shay.
The Giants and Diamondbacks will play game two of their four-game series on Friday at 7:15 p.m. PDT at Oracle Park. Blake Tidwell (0-0, 3.58 ERA) is slated to start for the Giants while Arizona has yet to announce a starter.
Sports Radio Service 