San Francisco Giants starter Justin Verlander (42) deals to the Philadelphia Phillies line up in the last of the first inning at Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia on Tue Apr 15, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Philadelphia Phillies (10-7) evened up the four game series at 1-1 with the San Francisco Giants (12-5) winning game two 6-4 at Citizens Bank Ballpark. San Francisco had a bit of a rally in the eighth inning hitting three straight singles with no outs bringing one run in. It was Jackie Robinson Tribute night and every ball player wore number 42 in this one.

The Giants only scored the one run in an inning with not much possibility of a rally. It was a tough night for both teams with some crazy wind involvement that made this game very challenging.

The Phillies hit two homers in this game while the Giants were unable to hit any long balls. The Phillies had ten hits, the Giants had eight. Trailing 2-0 early in the game, the Giants tied the game in the fourth inning and went on to take the lead in the sixth before Philadelphia took the lead for the remainder of the game.

Game recap: The Phillies got on the board in the second inning taking a 2-0 lead. The first run was a J.T. Realmuto solo home run to left center and the early 1-0 lead. They would expand that lead off a Brandon Marsh sacrifice fly allowing Max Kepler to score from third base for a 2-0 lead.

As in their last series, San Francisco had been doing a great job coming from behind. In the fourth inning the Giants tied up this game 2-2. Casey Schmitt singled both Chapman from third and Wilmer Flores home from second for the tie. Both Chapman and Flores had stolen bases to get into scoring position. The Schmitt single could not have been timed more perfectly.

San Francisco would take the lead briefly 3-2 in the sixth inning. Wilmer Flores grounded out and Jung Hoo Lee scored from third base; on top of the Phillies for the first time in the game. That lead did not hold for long as the Phillies went on to load the bases in the bottom of the sixth. They not only tied the game but took the lead by inning’s end 4-3.

J.T. Realmuto singled driving Kyle Schwarber home for the 3-3 tie. They would follow that run up with another run to take the 4-3 lead. Bohm singled Castellanos home as the sixth inning came to an end.

The Phillies relief pitching was doing a great job in the sixth and seventh innings. In the seventh inning Jordan Romano closed out the top of the seventh three up and three down. They would be looking for some insurance runs and they got right on task.

The first at bat Bryson Stott tripled with Trea Turner and Bryce Harper to follow. Turner grounded out to shortstop for the first out but slugger Harper knocked the Phillies second home run of the game out of the park, a two run homer, giving the Phillies a 6-3 lead going into the eighth inning.

The Giants started a rally in the eighth inning hitting three singles in a row with no outs. Heliot Ramos, Willy Adames and Jung Hoo Lee all had hits. The Lee single drove Ramos home and the score was 6-4 in favor of the Phillies.

With one out San Francisco had runners at the corners. Wilmer Flores struck out and the Giants were down to their last out in the inning. Casey Schmitt almost hit a long one but came up just short, the ball caught deep in the warning track. San Francisco was oh so very close to taking the lead in this game.

San Francisco relief pitcher Spencer Bivens dismissed the Phillies three up and three down in the eighth inning giving the Giants a chance going into the ninth inning trailing 6-4. One of tougher pitchers in the league to hit came in to try and close for the Phillies Matt Strahm.

Mike Yastrzemski flied out, Patrick Bailey struck out and San Francisco was down to their final out. Tyler Fitzgerald popped out and that was the ball game the final score of 6-4 with the Phillies leveling the series.

Justin Verlander went 5.2 innings allowing eight hits and four earned runs walking three with only one strikeout. Relief pitcher Hayden Birdsong had a struggle allowing two hits, two runs, and one walk in the seventh inning.

Game notes: The Giants took on the Phillies in game two of their series Tuesday amid some very gusty conditions as a cold front blew through at the start of the game and dissipated as quickly as it came in. After a brief respite from the wind the gusty conditions came back and remained throughout the game.

This was another game with great attendance for Philadelphia 38,119 on Tuesday after Monday night’s game with 40,636 fans watching the Giants beat the Phillies 10-4.

The Phillies got a more productive game today with a two run win over San Francisco. Phillies starter Jesus Luzardo 5.1 innings, five hits and three earned runs, and struck out four hitters. Giants starter Justin Verlander had another tough start this time surrendering eight hits and four runs in 5.2 innings of work.

Game three in this four game series will get underway with first pitch scheduled for 3:45 PM PDT Wednesday. Robbie Ray will take the mound for San Francisco with a ( 3-0, 2.93 ERA). The Phillies are slated to start Aaron Nola with a (0-3, 5.51 ERA).