By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants won the second game of a double-header with the Atlanta Braves 7-5. The Giants took an early lead hitting three home runs in the second inning and would not score again until the ninth inning scoring two more runs. Those two late runs made all the difference in the game. They are now 2-0 in the series.

Game recap: The Giants picked up exactly where they left off in game one scoring the first run of the game taking a 1-0 lead. Luis Arraez walked and Rafael Devers came to the plate and hit a double driving Arraez home for the game opening run. Giants starting pitcher Carson Whisenhunt gave up a walk and a single in the bottom of the first but got out of the inning.

San Francisco had a four run top of the second. Adames hit a solo home run, his second of the series. Arraez hit their second home run of the game with Eric Haase on base to extend the Giants lead to 4-0.

With two outs, San Francisco hit their third home run of the inning a Bryce Eldridge solo shot for a 5-0 lead going into the third inning. The Giants had really come out with a lot of offensive energy taking control of the game early. In the bottom of the second, the Braves left two runners stranded coming away empty.

JR Ritchie gave up a walk in the top of the third but not much else. The Braves would be looking for some production at the plate in the bottom of the third but Whisenhunt went three and out in the inning.

San Francisco had their first three and out in the top of the fourth inning. The Braves managed an Austin Riley single but not much else as the game went into the fifth inning. Through four innings, Whisenhunt was terrific giving up only three hits, and no runs.

JR Ritchie remained in the game despite giving up the five runs but did go three and out in the top of the fifth inning. Whisenhunt continued humming on a roll as he also went three and out in the inning.

So far the Giants three home runs had been the highlight of this game through five innings. There had not been a whole for Braves fans to cheer about going into the sixth inning. There had not been much offensive action for either team since the second inning.

The Braves got something going in the bottom of the sixth inning. Matt Olson started the rally with a single followed by an Ozzie Albies single. Austin Riley singled to load the bases and Atlanta had three hits in a row.

The San Francisco bullpen got really busy after the three hits. The Riley single drove Olson home and the Braves were finally up on the scoreboard. JT Brubaker would come into the game and relieve Whisenhunt who went five innings allowing six hits, one earned run with two strikeouts. Dominic Smith hit a sacrifice fly for the second out, Albies scored and we hat a 5-2 game. Brubaker was able to get out of the inning.

The Braves had gotten something going in the game and San Francisco would be looking to get a little traffic on base in the top of the seventh. While the Giants did not get that insurance run they did go three and out. Sam Hentges had relieved Brubaker in the inning.

In the bottom of the eighth inning the GIants were six outs away from the win but they were also facing the heart of the Atlanta order. With Olsen on base with no outs there was another pitching change for the Giants. Ryan Walker relieved Sam Hentges who had pitched the seventh inning giving up only the one hit. Austin Riley singled and Atlanta had two runners on base with two outs. The Braves left the two runners stranded when Rowdy Tellez struck out.

San Francisco was now three outs away from winning game two against one of the best teams in MLB. The Giants started the ninth inning with a Casey Schmitt single. Jonah Cox would run for Schmitt and would go on to steal second base.

Drew Gilbert was hit by a pitch and San Francisco had two runners on base. Eric Hasse sacrificed and the two runners advance to second and third. Arraez hit a single that drove in Cox and Gilbert giving the Giants a couple of insurance runs and a 7-2 lead.

The Braves started another rally in the bottom of the ninth putting this game in jeopardy for the Giants. Matt Gage took the mound for the ninth inning. Jair Carmago got on base followed by a Mauricio Dubon home run and the Braves were trailing 7-4.

Drake Baldwin and Olson both singled and Atlanta had runners at the corners. Another pitching change for the Giants as Tristan Beck came in to try and close out this game. Baldwin scored on a wild Beck pitch making it a 7-5 San Francisco lead with Olson on second and only one out.

Albies grounded out and Beck struck Riley out and that was the ball game.This game had gotten a little too close for comfort. San Francisco had hung on and the Giants had won the first two games of this series

Game notes: After a great start on this current road trip, the Giants took on the Braves in the night cap of this double-header Wednesday. Tueday’s game one had been suspended due to inclement weather and was finished earlier Wednesday afternoon with the Giants taking game one of the series 7-2.

This evening lefty Carson Whisenhunt took to the mound for the Giants after being elevated to the roster.Wisenhunt in the night cap pitched five ininngs allowing six hits and two earned runs.Wisenhunt was 3.65 ERA in 69 innings with 77 strikeouts and 30 walks in Triple-A Sacramento.

The Giants did get a chance to see him last season in five starts where he did struggle. This season he has looking improved and has been trying to get his changeup working for him. The Giants certainly need a more dependable starting rotation right now the sweep might influence some decisions in their search for a rotation.

The Braves who boast some of the best pitchers in the league saw starter JR Ritchie struggle pitching five innings allowed five hits and five earned runs. After first game played under sunny skies, the second game forecast was flawless weather-wise.

It was an exciting second inning for San Francisco with Adames, Arraez and Bryce Eldridge hitting home runs. They would not score again in the game until the ninth inning. The two runs they scored were the difference in the win.

The Giants got a sweep of the double-header winning both ends 7-2 in the front game and 7-5 in the night cap Wednesday night for the sweep. It is a wait and see for Thursday’s game with a tropical storm headed in around 2:00 PM Atlanta time. Landon Roupp will take the mound for San Francisco with a 5-7 win/loss record and a 4.24 ERA. The Braves will start Martin Perez. He comes into this game with a 5-3 win/loss record and a 2.90 ERA.