Chicago Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong hits a leadoff solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Saturday, June 13, 2026 in San Francisco, Calif (AP Photo/ Scott Marshall)

By Maggie Akins

SAN FRANCISCO–The San Francisco Giants faithful stayed sitting down, while the Chicago Cubs overcrowded Oracle Park and stood loudly in a 6-1 win against the Giants on Saturday night. 

The game started with a solo homerun bomb at the first pitch by Cubs all-star Pete Crow-Armstrong. This set the tone for the Cubs’ offense, aiming to play with an attacking offense. 

The Giants went into this outing hoping to bring the winning energy they had against the Cubs in Chicago over to San Francisco. Rookie Bryce Eldridge came close as he hustled to second for a double, but the Cubs’ defense was right there, spying his enthusiasm for an extra bag from a mile away. 

The theme of the evening was clear from the start – the Giants’ defense and pitching continue to struggle. Vitello spoke with the media pregame and mentioned they are looking for ways to improve by rotating their bullpen lineup through guys that are up and feeling good to combat the injured relievers. 

The Giants’ pitching had three Cubs batters hit by a pitch through a two-inning stretch. A struggling look for the Giants’ bullpen.

The Giants starter, RHP Trevor McDonald pitched for 3.2 innings, being pulled during the fourth with the bases loaded. LHP Reiver Sanmartin relieved McDonald, finished the day with a 2-4 record and a 4.64 ERA. 

“I think TMac was a little bit out of sync…yanking some pitches to the glove side…He’s been so good at being one of our best strike throwers,” Vitello said.

“It wasn’t very good overall…got my pitch count up and just got to be better,” McDonald said. 

The Giants’ offense fought for some flow, but kept getting shut down by the Cubs’ pitching. In the third inning, Drew Gilbert walked, and Luis Arraez followed suit by hitting a triple, leading to Gilbert running home and scoring a run. The outing came to a close after Casey Schmitt and Rafael Devers struck out. This was the lone offensive success by the Giants throughout the evening. 

“In particular, tonight, I know he’s (Gilbert) as ambitious as all of them. So frustrated when he doesn’t do what he’s capable of doing,” Vitello said. 

The Cubs maintained a constant flow, having multiple batters hit solo home runs scattered across the box score by Ian Happ and Pedro Ramirez. 

Rookie Bryce Eldridge extended his on-base streak to a career-best of 19 games, and Devers had a 2-4 on his at-bats for the evening, the team’s best.

The Giants look to regain some momentum Sunday afternoon in the series finale against the Cubs who will start RHP Colin Rea (5-4 ERA 5.19) at Oracle Park with RHP Logan Webb (3-4 ERA 3.88) starting on the bump. First pitch at 12:10 p.m.

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