Photo: Giants pitcher Trevor McDonald throws against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday, May 4, 2026 at Oracle Park. Photo by Jay Choi/SF Bay News Lab.
By Vince Cestone
SAN FRANCISCO–It was one of the worst road trips the San Francisco Giants may have ever had–three walk-off losses, with two on the same day, and an 0-6 trip where the offense looked listless. But that all changed on Monday night as the Giants got some home cooking and a strong start behind Trevor McDonald, as they beat the San Diego Padres 3-2 at Oracle Park on Monday night.
After the disastrous road trip to Philadelphia and Tampa Bay, Giants fans had something to be excited about as top prospect Bryce Eldridge was called up, along with top catching prospect Jesus Rodriguez. The Giants acquired Rodriguez in the trade that sent embattled closer Camilo Doval to the New York Yankees. While Eldridge nor Rodriguez got a hit in the game, their presence may have lit a fire into the struggling veterans.
After the Giants fell behind 1-0 in the first inning on a Jackson Merrill two-out, first inning home run, Casey Schmitt, who was playing third base for Matt Chapman, hit a solo home run in the bottom of the inning to tie the score 1-1. After Luis Arraez (2-for-4) hit the first of his two doubles in the game, Heliot Ramos reached on a fielder’s choice when Arraez beat the shortstop’s throw to third base. The next batter Rafael Devers singled him in to give the Giants a 2-1 lead.
Then, McDonald took over, pitching seven innings of one-run ball. He struck out eight batters and gave up just two hits and no walks. McDonald was just called up on Monday from Triple-A Sacramento, where he had a 5.40 ERA in 15 innings pitched. He found his A stuff at just the right time when the Giants needed a strong outing the most.
The Giants tacked on an important insurance run in the sixth inning when Devers hit a sacrifice fly to give the Giants a 3-1 lead. Arraez had led off the sixth with his second double of the game.
On the bullpen side, Keaton Winn pitched a scoreless, 1-2-3 eighth inning. But the big story was the Giants gave Caleb Kilian a chance to close out the game over Ryan Walker, who has three blown saves on the year. After Kilian gave up a leadoff home run to Padres left fielder Ramon Laureano, he retired the next three hitters in order, including strikeouts of Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado, to give the Giants a 3-2 win at Oracle Park. 33,000-plus fans went home happy.
The callups from Sacramento had decent at-bats, even though they didn’t record a hit. Eldridge (0-for-3) just missed a pitch in the first inning, popping out to first. He did draw a walk in the game and struck out once. Rodriguez (0-for-3) hit the ball hard twice but into outs.
The Giants are now 14-21 on the year but look like a new, energetic team. They hit the ball well all night but nothing to show for it, as the at-bats looked much better on Monday night.
Up next, the Giants will play Game 2 against the Padres on Tuesday night. Former Dodgers pitcher Walker Buehler (1-2, 5.40 ERA) will pitch for the Padres. The Giants have not announced their starter for Tuesday. Game time is 6:45 p.m.
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