San Francisco Giants Rafael Devers went 2-4 with a home run Friday May 8, 2026 against the Pittsburgh Pirates (photo by Jay Choi SF Bay News)

By Ryan Hannagan

San Francisco — The San Francisco Giants took on the Pittsburgh Pirates in game one of a three game series Friday night at Oracle Park. The 14-23 Giants came into Friday’s contest on a bad cold spell, dropping eight of their last nine, as well as their last three series.

Looking to turn things around, manager Tony Vitello went with the former Cy Young winning, left-handed pitcher Robbie Ray (2-4, 2.95). On the other end, the 21-17 Pirates came in hot, winning four of their prior five. Pirates manager Don Kelly went with the fourth year right-handed pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski (2-2, 4.50) in an attempt to keep the success rolling. 

After a quick first inning for both teams, the Pirates opened the scoring in the top of the second thanks to a solo shot from veteran Marcel Ozuna. The 1-0 lead was short lived for the Pirates, as in the bottom of the second, Giants first Baseman Rafael Devers hit a response solo shot of his own, tying the score. 

The third inning went by with no damage done by either team. In the bottom of the fourth the tie score moved to 2-1 Giants after Heliot Ramos knocked in Casey Schmitt with a two out single to center. This RBI single came right after Willy Adames was robbed of a three run homer by Pirates left fielder and former Giants prospect Bryan Reynolds. 

The score stayed at 2-1 until the bottom of the seventh, when the Giants offense broke things open with a three-RBI inning. After Pittsburgh starter Carmen Mlodzinski exited following six innings, San Francisco quickly got to reliever Justin Lawrence, collecting four baserunners on three hits. Willy Adames led off the inning with a single before Heliot Ramos followed with a double, putting both runners in scoring position. Drew Gilbert then delivered an RBI single that brought Adames home for the Giants’ third run of the night. Lawrence was pulled without recording an out.

With Evan Sisk taking over on the mound, the Giants continued to add on. Following a Jung Hoo Lee lineout, Luis Arraez ripped a two-run single that scored Ramos and Gilbert, extending the lead to 5-1. No more runs crossed in the inning, but the four-run advantage put San Francisco in firm control late in the game.

The eighth inning went by with no offense for either side, leaving the Pirates a final chance to tie it up in the top of the ninth. 

Tasked with closing out the game cleanly, Caleb Kilian entered in the ninth and quickly recorded the first out on a Marcell Ozuna flyout. The Pirates then threatened after back-to-back walks to Oneil Cruz and Konnor Griffin put two runners on base. With runners at first and second, Spencer Horwitz lined a single into right field that scored Cruz and cut the deficit to 5-2.

After the RBI hit, Brandon Lowe popped out to Willy Adames in shallow center, leaving the Giants one out away from victory. Looking for a late rally, Pirates manager Don Kelly sent Ryan O’Hearn to pinch hit for Billy Cook, but O’Hearn grounded out to end the game as the Giants secured the 5-2 win.

Robby Ray took home the victory after 6.0 IP, 4 Hits, 1 Earned Run, 4 BB, and 7 strikeouts. The win moves Ray to 4-3 on the year with a 2.76 ERA. The Giants record now sits at 15-23. 

The next game of the series is Sat May 9th at 6:05 PM PST. Starting pitchers for Pittsburgh RHP Braxton Ashcraft (1-2 ERA 3.02) for San Francisco RHP Landen Roupp (5-2 ERA 3.18)