San Francisco Giants Casey Schmitt is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a home run in the top of the fourth inning at LoanDepot Park in Miami on Sat Jun 20, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants lost game two of their series with the Miami Marlins 6-3. They struggled on the mound and defensively. They had a lot of pretty horrific errors and Giants starter Trevor McDonald only made it through three innings hitting three pitchers in a disappointing appearance. San Francisco was unable to play “team” baseball which more often than not guarantees little success.

Game recap: The Marlins were able to score a run in the first inning taking a 1-0 lead. They loaded the bases in the opening inning but only came away with the one run. The Giants tied up the game in the second inning 1-1 when Drew Gilbert singled driving Jung Hoo Lee home.

This game would follow that pattern for the next few innings. In the bottom of the second inning the Marlins took a 2-1 lead. Again Miami had the bases loaded but was only able to score more than the one run. Then the errors began the first one a fielding error by San Francisco pitcher McDonald.

Despite a couple of rocky innings, the Giants were still in this game tying it up at two when Casey Schmitt hit a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning. San Francisco was having a rough time at the plate although they did finish the game with ten hits.

Going into the bottom of the fourth inning the Marlins started to turn this game and never looked back. Jakob Marsee leadoff batter singled Ruiz home taking a Miami 3-2 lead and they never trailed again in this game.

The Marlins did major damage in the fourth inning. They extended their lead 4-2 when Marsee scored. Miami continued to pile it on when Heriberto Hernandez homered with Otto Lopez on base taking a 6-2 lead.

San Francisco didn’t have any answers through the next three innings. While the Marlins did not score a run for the rest of the game it didn’t really factor into the game. The Giants did attempt a brief rally in the top of the eighth inning.

Lee doubled to start the rally. Later in the inning Schmitt doubled and Lee scored. Gilbert singled but Victor Bericoto flied out for the third out and the Giants were down to their final three outs trailing 6-3. That would turn out to be the final score with the Marlins taking game two of the series.

San Francisco pitcher Tristan Beck closed out the game with a couple of nice innings going three and out in the seventh and the eighth. Starting pitcher Trevor McDonald finished the game going three innings allowing three hits, five runs, three walks with only one strikeout.

His command was not the greatest hitting three batters and finishing with his eighth loss of the year. This was his second consecutive game failing to get through four innings. Even though the Giants had ten hits, the Marlins only had six the steals, the walks and the errors all combined for the 6-3 San Francisco loss. Casey Schmitt had a great game hitting two doubles and hitting a home run. Leaving nine runners stranded was a part of the loss.

On the other hand Miami starting pitcher Max Meyer only allowed two runs in five innings. He did allow seven hits, striking out seven and walking two.

Game notes: After taking a brief lead in Friday’s game the Giants ended up losing their first game with the Marlins 4-3. Saturday San Francisco dropped their second game of the series to the Marlins 6-3. In Friday’s game the Giants could not add any insurance runs in the later innings and the relief pitching was unable to sustain the 3-2 lead they had going into the seventh inning.

San Francisco took on a very hot Marlin team who have now won eight games in a row at Loan Depot Park. Giants starter Tevor McDonald last only three innings allowing three runs and three hits on three walks and one strike out. Miami starter Max Meyer went seven innings and allowed two hits.

Sunday the Giants will have one last chance to win a game in this series and to avoid a sweep. The Giants will send one of their best pitchers in Logan Webb. He has been very good of late with a 4-4 win/loss record and a 3.46 ERA. The Marlins will start Ryan Gusto. He has a 0-2 win/loss record and a 7.24 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 10:40 AM PDT.

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