San Francisco Giants starter Carlos Rodon expresses his excitement after getting the win over the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego on Sat Jul 9, 2022 (AP News photo)

Rodon Goes Nine Innings for SF Win Over Padres 3-1

By Barbara Mason

Saturday night the San Francisco Giants (42-41) took on the San Diego Padres (49-37) in game three of their four game series. The Giants dropped games one and two and needed a win if they want to have a chance at an even series by game’s end on Sunday and even the series they did with a 3-1 win over the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.

After a quiet first inning, the Giants scored a run in the second inning. Brandon Crawford hit a sacrifice fly and Brandon Belt scored for the early 1-0 lead.

The Padres tied up the game in the second when Jose Azocar grounded into a fielders choice to first and Jorge Alfaro scored for a 1-1 game.

It was a pitchers duel through the next five innings. Neither team was able to get much offense going until things turned around for San Francisco in the eighth inning. Wilmer Flores belted a rocket out of the yard and with Joc Pederson on base, he gave the Giants a 3-1 lead.

San Francisco pitcher Carlos Rodon had a masterful performance on the mound. He went nine innings allowing only 3 hits, 2 walks with 12 strikeouts. He finished the game with 112 pitches. At one stretch he retired 22 in a row. His fast ball was dominating from start to finish bringing home the 3-1 victory. The win put the Giants just over five hundred still trailing the first place Dodgers and the second place Padres.

This series will wrap up on Sunday in game four. Alex Wood will take the mound for San Francisco coming in with an ERA of 4.83 and a 5-7 win-loss record. The Padres will send Mackenzie Gore who has a 3.18 ERA and a 4-3 win-loss record. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 PM PT.