San Francisco Giants right fielder Jung Hoo Lee (51) reacts after winning a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies on Saturday, July 11, 2026, in San Francisco (AP News photo)

By Maggie Akins

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants got two wins today, one at Oracle Park and another in Philadelphia, for the MLB Draft. 

The Giants defeated the Colorado Rockies 4-2 on Saturday afternoon with another Casey Schmitt classic, his 19th home run of the season. This win for the Giants was the rebuttal they needed after a troubling loss to the Rockies late Friday night, and they kept their composure. 

However, the Giants got the win without Manager Tony Vitello when he got ejected in the third inning after arguing with the home plate umpire on a ruled balk that led to a run scored for the Rockies. 

“It was a debate that was never gonna end,” Vitello said. “Tried to clear it up on the second pitch, and then we went back in time.” 

The game started pretty much how it ended last night. Giants batters struggled early against Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Freeland. Freeland entered the game with a 2-7 record and a 7.46 ERA.

Giants gave Tyler Mahle the nod, entering the game with a 1-8 record and a 5.70 ERA, but he holds a career 2-1 record with an ERA of 3.80 and a 1.10 WHIP over four starts against the Rockies specifically. This win on Saturday grants Mahle his first win since April. Mahle pitched through seven innings with JT Brubaker coming in for relief and earning a save. 

After a few three-and-out innings to start, the Giants got used to Freeland’s pitching. 

Rookie Bryce Eldridge brought life to the Giants fans on Thursday night and did it once again, hitting an inspiring double in the fifth inning. Jesus Rodriguez knew what to do, bringing home Eldridge in a single.

“I like that hit for sure, I think just the stability behind the plate was outstanding,” Vitello said. “You like when a catcher gives you a sense of calm or comfort back there.”

Following a good flow from the fifth, it was Casey Schmitt’s time.

Both Heliot Ramos and Luis Arraez hit back-to-back singles. Everything was set for Schmitt to cause some damage, and he hit it. Schmitt hit his 19th home run of the season right down center field, and the fans erupted.

“Broken record, but simplicity. A lot of time, genius is in the simplicity,” Vitello said. “When he takes a swing, it’s a loose, aggressive swing, which is a delicate combination.”

This made the score 4-1, and it stayed put until the eighth inning, when Kyle Karros hit a solo home run for the Rockies, but the Giants were not worried. 

Post game notes: As for the second win of the day, the Giants drafted RHP Jackson Flora fourth overall out of the University of California at Santa Barbara. Flora is hometown kid growing up in Pleasanton and rooting for the Giants as a kid, but also brings a strong foundation to the Giants bullpen as he can throw up to 100 mph. 

“He went on a mission in college and proved everybody what he’s capable of doing,” Vitello said. 

Up next, the Giants will close out their series against the Rockies on Sunday, first pitch at 1:05 p.m. Starters for Colorado RHP Michael Lorenzen (3-9 ERA 6.46) and for San Francisco RHP Trevor McDonald (3-7, 5.46 ERA) will start on the mound.