Milwaukee Brewers Jake Bauers hit a three run home run in the bottom of the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at American Family Field in Milwaukee on Tue Jun 2, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (23-38) trailed for seven innings but pulled to within one run in the top of the eighth inning of their series with the Milwaukee Brewers (37-21). With two outs San Francisco had a great opportunity to at least tie Milwaukee or even take the lead. It was then that Milwaukee went on a hitting frenzy scoring four runs and taking a 8-3 lead which was the final. It was just a horrible loss for San Francisco dropping 15 games under .500.

Game recap: San Francisco had a couple of runners on base in the first inning. Luis Arraez tripled and the Giants had a runner in scoring position. San Francisco really challenged Milwaukee starter Kyle Harrison in the opening inning. When he finally got out of the inning he had thrown over 25 pitches but kept the Giants off the scoreboard.

In the bottom of the first, Giant starter Trevor McDonald walked the first two batters Christian Yelich and Jackson Chourio. With two outs and two strikes he almost got out of the inning but gave up a three run home run to Jake Bauers and the Brewers had an early 3-0 lead.

The 3-0 Milwaukee lead persisted into the top of the fourth inning. The highlight of the game so far was the ten strikeouts we saw from Harrison through four innings. He had been amazing giving the Giants all kinds of problems The Brewers threatened in the bottom of the fourth but left Garrett Mitchell stranded on third base so there was no further damage and San Francisco continued to trail 3-0.

If the Giants could stretch out the fifth inning to the point that Harrison who had been dominant could possibly comes out of the game San Francisco may have a better chance at the plate. His pitch count was already 88 through five innings. Despite the high pitch count however, Harrison was still looking good with 11 strikeouts. He was one strikeout away from his career high and there was little doubt that we would see him in the sixth inning.

As expected Harrison took the mound in the top of the sixth inning matching his career high for strikeouts with 12 and looking for more. Harrison however gave up his fourth hit, a home run off the bat of Willy Adames and the Giants were on the scoreboard.

Following that home run, Harrison walked Rafael Devers and that was it for Harrison who had been dynamic finishing with four hits, one earned run, two walks and 12 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. He was relieved by Aaron Ashby.

With the home run the Giants were back in the game. Erik Miller would relieve McDonald in the bottom of the sixth inning. McDonald went five innings allowing five hits, three earned runs, two walks and four strikeouts. Miller got out of the inning and this game went onto the seventh.

The Giants got something going in the top of the seventh. Daniel Susac knocked the first pitch for a single followed by a Victor Berocoto single the potential tying run. San Francisco came away empty with the next three at bats unable to get hits. The Brewers scored another run in the bottom of the seventh taking a 4-1 lead.

Going into the top fo the eighth San Francisco had a lot of work to do and they did not disappoint. Luis Arraez doubled and Bryce Eldridge singled Arraez home. The Giants had a nice rally going with Daniel Susac hitting another single followed by a Jung Hoo Lee single and Bryce Eldridge scored. The Giants were now only trailing by one run 4-3.

The relentless Brewers offense extended their lead scoring four runs in the bottom of the eighth taking a 8-3 lead. Just when San Francisco saw a bit of light at the end of the tunnel Milwaukee extinguished it, in fact the Brewers went on a scoring frenzy. Christian Yelich singled Garrett Mitchell and Sal Frelick home for two runs. Jackson Chourio doubled and Yelich scored for another run and finally Bryce Turang singled Churio home for the fourth run. All the runs scored with two outs.

After San Francisco had rallied in the top of the eighth the Milwaukee rally in the bottom of the eighth really took the air out of the Giants sails as they headed into the top of the ninth inning three outs away from a second loss in the series. Casey Schmitt flied out, Rafael Devers struck out and they were down to their last out. Luis Arraez would fly out and that was the ball game 8-3 in favor of the Brewers taking a 2-0 series lead.

Game notes: Tuesday evening the Giants faced former teammate Kyle Harrison and the Brewers in game two of their series. Monday night the Giants got pretty badly beaten up in game one losing 16-2. So going into game two, San Francisco is not only hurting from the rout Monday night but on top of that they will also face a red-hot Harrison who has been pitching lights out. Harrison on Tuesday night pitched 5.2 innings, allowing four hits, one earned run, two walks and the key part of his performance he struck out 12 Giant hitters.

The Giants started Trevor McDonald who pitched five innings allowed five hits, three runs, three walks and four strike outs. San Francisco tried to get out of the funk that they currently find themselves in but couldn’t losing their eighth game in nine tries. They have been struggling for far too long and still haven’t found any answers as to how they can turn this season around. The Giants had their hands full with Harrison as the Giants found out.

The Giants hired Gary Pettis as third base coach after reassigning former third base coach Hector Borg. Ron Wotus filled in until Pettis had arrived in Chicago to coach third base for Wednesday’s game at American Family Field in Milwaukee.

Wednesday the Giants will have another opportunity to try and at least salvage this series as they are 0-2 against the Brew Crew. Giant starter RHP Logan Webb will take the mound for San Francisco. He enters the game with a 2-4 win/loss record and 4.82 ERA. The Brewers right now are undecided as to who will start in Wednesday’s game. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 4:40 PM.

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