San Francisco Giants pitcher Keaton Winn throws against the Tampa Bay Rays in the bottom of the first inning at Tropicana Stadium in Tampa Bay on Fri Apr 12, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

It was not a pretty game for the San Francisco Giants (5-9) offensively. They left runners stranded throughout the game dropping game one of a three game series against the Tampa Bay Rays (8-6) 2-1 on Friday night. Both teams committed several errors. San Francisco was 0-9 with runners in scoring position. The offense just wasn’t very productive and on top of it all, manager Bob Melvin was ejected.

Game recap: It was a scoreless first inning for both teams. In the second inning, Tampa Bay threatened loading the bases with no outs. Winn had his work cut out for him getting out of this mess. When the dust had settled the Rays came away with only one run. A disappointment for Tampa Bay and a relief for the Giants. Winn kept the damage to a minimum when it really could have gone sideways. With the bases loaded, he walked Diaz and Harold Ramirez scored giving the Rays the early one run lead 1-0.

The Giants tied up the game in the third inning 1-1 when Jung Hoo Lee scored after singling, stealing second base and reaching third base on a throwing error by Tampa Bay catcher Ben Rortvedt. LaMonte Wade Jr. grounded out to second bringing Lee home.

The Rays took back the lead in the bottom of the third inning 2-1 off an infield hit that resulted in a Yandy Diaz triple and Harold Ramirez scored his second run of the game. The score remained 2-1 after four innings. Winn recorded his third walk in the bottom of the fourth but kept Tampa Bay from scoring leaving a runner stranded on second base. It was on to the fifth inning.

LaMonte Wade Jr. would advance to third base after he was walked on a throwing error by Ben Rortvedt the second error by the Tampa Bay catcher in the game. The Giants had runners at the corners, but Michael Conforto struck out and this game went into the bottom of the fifth. Through five innings each team had five hits as San Francisco continued to trail 2-1.

San Francisco starting pitcher Keaton Winn finished the game going five innings allowing five hits, had three walks and two runs. He was relieved by Landen Roupp in the sixth inning.

A defensive battle continued into the seventh inning. The Giants put two runners on base in the seventh with two outs and big-hitter Jorge Soler at the plate. He had been on base three times in this game. Soler struck out and the Giants were unable to capitalize leaving runners stranded. San Francisco was 0-7 with runners in scoring position squandering a number of opportunities.

Pete Fairbanks took the mound trying to close out the game for the Rays in the ninth inning. He was having trouble finding the strike zone to start the inning struggling through the first two at bats. He had thrown 12 pitches, most of them balls. San Francisco had Tyler Fitzgerald on third with only one out. Fairbanks came around to finish off the inning despite his struggles and Tampa Bay won this first game of the series 2-1.

Game notes: Friday evening the Giants traveled to Tampa Bay to take on the Rays in the first game of their three game series. The Giants had a travel day on Thursday after dropping their last series to the Nationals. San Francisco won the last game of that series 7-1 but Monday night Washington pummeled the Giants 8-1 also winning game two 5-3. San Francisco avoided the sweep with the win in game three. Friday night, against the Rays, Keaton Winn took the mound for the Giants. Jacob Waguespack got the assignment for Tampa Bay in closely pitched contest the Giants lost by one run.

Saturday the Giants will tackle game two in this series. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 1:10 PM. Logan Webb will take the mound for San Francisco with a 4.86 ERA. Ryan Pepiot will start for Tampa Bay in this game with a 4.63 ERA.