San Francisco Giants pitching coach JP Martinez (black hoodie) talks with starter Robbie Ray (glove in face) with catcher Sam Huff, Matt Chapman (behind Ray) and LaMonte Wade Jr (31) in the bottom of the second inning at Loan Depot Park in Miami on Sat May 31, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

After winning game one of their series with the Miami Marlins (23-33) the San Francisco Giants (32-26) were looking for a win Saturday in game two assuring them of a series win but instead of getting the series win the Giants were shutout 1-0 by Marlins starter Ed Cabrera and the bullpen to tie the series at 1-1. Friday San Francisco did have 11 hits but left a lot of runners in scoring position stranded but got the win 2-0.

This is something that the Giants couldn’t clean up in Saturday’s game again no offense. They had a red-hot pitcher taking the mound in Robbie Ray who came into the game with a spotless 7-0 record but got the loss now dropping to 7-1.

The Marlins starter Edward Cabrera pitched 5.2 innings, allowed six hits, no runs, and struck out five for the win.

Temperatures were toasty Saturday much as Friday but fans were comfortable under the state-of-the-art retractable roof at loan-Depot Park.

Game recap: This game became a real pitcher’s duel. The Marlins scored a single run in the second inning. taking the early 1-0 lead. San Francisco pitcher Ray got the first two outs in the inning but went on to walk Dane Myers and Nick Fortes back to back.

Javier Sanojar singled Myers home and that would be the last run the Marlins would score going into the bottom of the sixth inning.

Going into the seventh inning there had not been a whole lot of hitting for either team although the Giants had six hits to the Marlins two. Cabrera had 5 2/3 solid innings giving up the six hits, two walks and five strikeouts.

He was relieved by Ronny Henriquez who finished off the inning for Miami. Henriquez stayed on the mound to start the seventh inning. He got the first two outs but hit Heliot Ramos and the Giants had a runner at first.

When it looked as if Jung Hoo Lee had knocked the ball out of the park, the Miami defense made a second amazing catch in the outfield robbing the Giants of a lead in the game. They had made a similar catch in the second inning that also would have made a difference in the game. Those two amazing plays by the Marlins kept this game a one-run game.

The eighth inning rolled around and San Francisco was running out of game. Chapman had been on base three times in the game but the team was still looking for their first run. Willy Adames walked and San Francisco had two runners on base with one out.

Mike Yastrzemski sacrificed and Chapman advanced to third and the Giants had runners at the corners. Tyler Fitzgerald struck out and that was the inning.

The Giants again went quietly in the ninth inning and this team continues to struggle as a whole. The series is tied and the rubber match will finish off the series Saturday. San Francisco has been unable to figure out just what is going so wrong for the team.

The good news is that we are through the month of May and the team will be looking for much more in the month of June where they have typically played well. Is this getting into their heads? There is no way of knowing but they do have some serious issues to address. After the 1-0 Marlin win, Miami will be trying to walk away with the series Sunday.

Robbie Ray had a great game despite the loss. He got into a bit of trouble in the second inning with walks and of course the one run. He finished the game pitching for seven innings which was really needed after going through seven pitchers in Friday’s game.

He gave up two hits, one run, three walks with nine strikeouts. The Giants were 0-6 with runners in scoring position and left ten runners stranded wiping out the great performance the team got from Ray. The disappointment continues with this team as they try to salvage the series in Sunday’s game.

First pitch for game three is scheduled for 10:40 AM. Hayden Birdsong (2-1 ERA 2.48) will take the mound for the Giants and the Marlins will start Ryan Weathers (1-0 ERA 1.15).