San Francisco Giants Dominic Smith standing on second base is joyful after slugging an RBI double in the top of the ninth inning against Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Dennis Santana at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Wed Aug 6, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants came away with a win in game three against the Pittsburgh Pirates to win the series. The final score was 4-2. The Giants had trailed for most of the game but came alive in the eighth inning to put this game away. The only downside in this game was when Jerar Encarnacion pulled up at first base after being called out in the seventh inning with an apparent hamstring issue.

Game recap: The Pirates wasted no time getting up on the scoreboard taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Nick Gonzales hit a single driving base runner Liover Peguero home for the early lead.

It was a very sleepy start for San Francisco with only one hit through the first four innings. The Giants slugger Jerar Encarnacion came to the plate in the fifth inning knocking a bomb out of the yard (442 feet) to tie up this game 1-1.

The Pirates answered in the bottom of the fifth inning taking back the lead 2-1. Tommy Pham sacrificed allowing Isiah Kiner-Falefa to cross home plate. Kiner-Falefa had reached third base off a Robbie Ray wild pitch. He had stolen second base before taking third base and the eventual run.

The Pirates starting pitcher Andrew Heaney was relieved in the fifth inning. He went 4 2/3 innings allowing 2 hits, 1 run with one strikeout. Dauri Moreta took the mound going into the sixth inning.

After a scoreless sixth and seventh for both teams the game went into the top of the eighth inning. Neither team was having a lot of success at the plate, the Giants with only 2 hits and the Pirates with 6.

San Francisco starting pitcher Ray went six innings allowing 6 hits, 2 earned runs 2 walks with 8 strikeouts. Jose Butto pitched a perfect seventh inning. Ryan Walker took over in the eighth inning with the game tied. He gave up back-to-back hits with two outs in the inning. The San Francisco bullpen immediately got busy.

San Francisco pinch hitter Patrick Bailey got the Giants third hit of the game in the top of the eighth inning, a single, and with two innings left in the game San Francisco was looking to at least tie up the game.

Rafael Devers had his second walk of the game and the Giants had two runners on base with one out. Willie Adames blooped the ball into middle right field and San Francisco had a golden opportunity with the bases loaded.

They had a great chance to not only tie up the game but to take the lead for the first time Wednesday. This was their chance right here right now with Matt Chapman at the plate looking for his first hit. Chapman came so close to leaving the yard but sacrificed and Bailey scored to tie up the game 2-2. Another oh so close hit from Casey Schmitt was caught deep in right field and that was the inning with the Giants all tied up in this one. Two swings in a row coming so very close to home runs but with the one run San Francisco was back in this ball game.

San Francisco pitcher Ryan Walker got out of a sticky two on two out situation in the bottom of the eighth inning striking out Oneil Cruz for the third out and it was on to the ninth inning this game knotted at two.

The ever consistent Jung Hoo Lee hit a double to start off the ninth inning with only one out. Dom Smith came to the plate hitting for Christian Koss and knocked another double driving Lee home taking their first lead of the day 3-2.

San Francisco was not finished. Patrick Bailey singled Smith home and it was a 4-2 Giants lead. San Francisco was three outs away from winning this game after trailing for most of it. The Giants finished off the series with a 4-2 win in game three.

Game notes: Tuesday the Giants beat up on the Pirates by the score of 8-1 to tie up the 3-game series at 1-1 and Wednesday came into the game and took the series before heading San Francisco to Oracle Park for a series with the Washington Nationals starting Friday.

Wednesday Giants starting pitcher Robbie Ray pitched six inning allowing six hits, two earned runs, two walks, and eight strike outs. Pirates starting pitcher Andrew Heaney pitched 4.2 innings allowing two hits, one earned run, and struck one batter.

The San Francisco Giants will open up a three game series in San Francisco to take on the Washington Nationals. Giant starter Kai-Wei Teng is probable on the mound for San Francisco with a 0-0, 13.50 ERA. The Nationals will start Jake Irvin with a 8-6 win/loss record and a 4.89 ERA. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 7:15 PM this Friday night.