San Francisco Giants pitcher Sam Hertges throws to the Kansas City Royals line up in the bottom of the sixth inning at Kaufman Stadium in Kansas City on Tue Jul 21, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

 It was another disappointing game for the San Francisco Giants (42-59) dropping game two to the Kansas City Royals (42-60) by the score of 3-2.  In Tuesday night’s game the Giants did take a 2-1 lead in the fifth inning that was short-lived. 

Jesus Rodguiez and Drew Gilbert both scored in the inning but the Giants would not score again for the rest of the game.  The Royals would score a couple of runs in the sixth inning taking back the lead 3-2 which would be the final.  The Royals finished with eight hits, the Giants five hits.  San Francisco had their opportunities but failed to capitalize on them unable to produce timely hits and leaving runners stranded.

GAME RECAP

The two opening innings  were for the most part three and outs for both teams with a single here or a walk there.  It had so far been a pitchers duel until this game went into the bottom of the third inning.  The Royals took the first lead of the game in the third when Carter Jensen hit a solo home run giving Kansas City a 1-0 lead.

The Giants would tie up the game in the top of the fifth inning.  Jesus Rodriguez doubled and Drew Gilbert singled him home and this game was tied at one apiece.  San Francisco would take the lead when Drew Gilbert scored on an error for a 2-1 tally.  As the inning came to an end the Giants would count on their pitchers to keep the Royals off the board.

Going into the bottom of the sixth inning tha score had remained 2-1 in favor of the Giants.  That was about to change.  San Francisco would go through three pitchers in the inning.  Starting pitcher Mahle walked a runner and hit a batter to start the inning. 

He was relieved by Sam Hentges who did much the same, walking the first batter he faced and hitting the next at bat.  He was relieved by Keaton Winn who got out of the inning.  The damage had been with Salvador Perez and Isaac Collins both scoring giving the Royals a 3-2 lead that persisted to the final San Francisco out.

GAME NOTES

What went so wrong for the Giants in the second game of the series?  It looked very much like game one with the same deficiencies.  The Royals on the other hand made the key plays when they needed them most.   Avila kept the Giants offense under control for most of the game allowing only a couple of runs and preventing any big innings. 

Kansas City built a lead with timely hitting which included the first run of the game a solo home run by Carter Jensen.  RBI hits put a lot of pressure on Giants starter Tyler Mahle.  San Francisco had opportunities but didn’t string together enough hits until late.  They played from behind for much of the night..  

Luinder Avila outpitched Tyler Mahle.  He allowed just the two runs over 6 1/2 innings striking out seven which gave Kansas City a strong start.  The Giants offense managed only five hits and couldn’t score after the fifth inning despite having a few chances late.  The Royals bullpen finished the job.  The Kansas City relievers protected the one-run lead with Alex Lange earning the save.

Wednesday the Giants will be looking to avoid a sweep in game three.  The Giants will send Landen Roupp to the mound with a 7-8 win/loss record and a 3.98 ERA.  The Royals plan on starting Seth Lugo.  He has a 3-6 win/loss record and a 4.39 ERA.  First pitch for this game is scheduled for 11:10 AM.