San Francisco Giants third baseman Jason Vosler goes to field a hot grounder hit by Oakland Athletics’ Elvis Andrus, who Vosler threw out at first base in the seventh inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Tue Apr 26, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Tony “The Tiger”Hayes

SAN FRANCISCO–The Giants used the phenomenal power arm of pitcher Carlos Rodon and home runs by Wilmer Flores and Austin Slater to dismantle the visiting Oakland A’s 8-2 Tuesday night at Oracle Park.

The win improved the Giants record to 13-5 as San Francisco leapfrogged the Dodgers -who lost 5-3 at Arizona – into first place in the NL West by half a game.

Meanwhile San Francisco Rodan continued a historically significant start to his Giants career, pitching six lock down innings, while allowing one earned one run on three hits to improve his record to 3-0, with a 1.17 ERA.

Rodon struck out nine, giving him 38 for the season, the most by a Giants pitcher in his first four starts of the season since 1901.

Oakland’s run off Rodon came of a solo round tripper by Sheldon Neuse.

With the Giants up 2-1 in the third, Flores murdered a fastball by A’s starter Daulton Jefferies, sending a searing bolt into the left field seats for a three run home to put the Giants up 5-1. Flores had a hot bat swinging for five RBIs in his last ten games when the Giants were on their last 11 game road trip. Flores was the Giants designated hitter who touched up Jefferies for in the second inning.

The lead held until the seventh, when the A’s Seth Brown pummeled a run scoring double off Dominic Leone.

With two runners on in the bottom of the frame Slater sliced an opposite field sizzler off the right field tin roof to put San Francisco up 8-2.

Giants Jottings: San Francisco right-handed reliever John Brebbia was placed on the injured list before the game and replaced with RHP Kervin Castro. Castro struck out the side in the ninth to close out tonight’s win.

The Giants also completed a trade, picking up infielder Kevin Padlo in a cash deal with Seattle. Padlo was recently designated for assignment by the Mariners. Padlo was assigned to Triple-A Sacramento.

Starting pitchers for Wednesday night: Starting for Oakland right hander Paul Blackburn (2-0 ERA 1.80) and for San Francisco left hander Sam Long (0-0 ERA 0.00) first pitch is 6:45 pm PDT at Oracle Park.