San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames (2) swings on a 91 mph slider and called for a strike against the Los Angeles Angels during the bottom of the 6th inning of a MLB baseball game in San Francisco, Friday, July 24th, 2026. (Photo credits to Michael Villanueva)

By Michael Villanueva

SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco Giants returned home on Friday night to start the second half of the season. They hosted the Los Angeles Angels for a three-game series, and the Giants took game 1 in ten innings 7-6. This was the two teams’ first time seeing each other, and the rest of the weekend will be the only time they see each other this season.

The Giants came back home with some injuries and losses. After winning the first game back from the All-Star break, the Giants would lose the next five in a row, also being swept at Kansas City. Giants outfielder Harrison Bader stopped baseball activity and will see a foot and ankle specialist in Indianapolis this weekend.

Angels starting pitcher for this first game of three is RHP Grayson Rodriguez (3-3, 8.23 ERA). Rodriguez has 27 strikeouts and walked 17 so far this season. The Giants’ starting pitcher for the game was 2026 MLB All-Star, RHP Logan Webb (5-7, 3.87 ERA). Webb has 85 strikeouts and walked 27 this season.

Los Angeles leadoff hitter Zach Neto wasted no time for his team as on his first bat he got himself a triple on a sharp fly ball to right field. This put Giants pitcher Logan Webb in an early awkward position in the first. Then Angels Nolan Schanuel would bring home Neto on a single to give the Angels a 1-0 early lead.

After the Angels batted, it was the Giants turned and they responded. Giants Arraez singled, then got hit by a double play from the Angels. Giants Bryce Eldridge walked, but Rafael Devers came to bat and got the crowd going. Devers homered on a fly ball to left field, his 21st of the season, giving San Francisco the lead, 2-1.

Two innings later, in the third, the Giants were still connecting the bat with the ball. Giants Bryce Eldridge joins the fun as he gets a ground-rule double. Then the Angels intentionally walked Devers, setting up a three run homer for Casey Schmitt to left field. Schmitt’s homer was also his 21st of the season, and he would extend the Giants’ lead to 5-1.

At the top of the fifth, the Angels were getting their hitting momentum going after being shut out the last four innings. Starting it off would be Angels Jo Adell and Denzer Guzman with both getting singles. Then Tyler Heineman tripled on a fly ball to right field, bringing in Adell and Guzman to score, 5-3.

Next batter, Zach Neto would get walked, with now two players on base with no outs as well. Then the Angels’ Mike Trout was out on a sacrifice fly, but brought in Heineman to score, 5-4. Eventually, the Giants would stop the bleeding and get the final out by a force out at second.

It wouldn’t be until the bottom of the seventh that the Giants got back on the board. Giants’ Drew Gilbert gets walked and then subbed for pinch-runner Grant McCray. Then Daniel Susac would get out on a sacrifice fly, but would bring in McCray to score, 6-4. However, the Angels weren’t phased as they responded right into the next inning.

At the top of the eighth, Angels Jorge Soler singles, then Angels Vaughn Grissom homers on a fly ball to left field. This homer would be his sixth of the season and would tie the ballgame, 6-6. After that, both teams’ defense and pitching would sharpen up as they entered the ninth inning of the game.

In the ninth inning, the game is still tied, with both teams still having a chance to win and take game 1 of the season series. Unfortunately, both teams’ defense would step up, and neither team would score. So this “Battle of California” game is heading into extra innings.

Bottom of the tenth inning, it was all Giants. The Giants had runner Jesus Rodriguez on second, so at bat it was Luis Arraez who was able to get himself another single in this game. So now the Giants have two runners on base. Then the Giants’ Bryce Eldridge walked, which led to Rafael Devers hitting a single to left field and bringing in the game-winning run. The Giants would take game 1 against the Angels, 7-6.

These two teams come right back to action in Oracle Park Saturday, July 25th, at 1:05 p.m. for first pitch. The San Francisco Giants will start LHP Robbie Ray (8-6, 3.33 ERA) hoping to take game two as well. The Angels will respond with RHP Ryan Johnson (2-4, 6.10 ERA) as the Angels try to get the win and even the series. The game will be broadcast on NBCS BA.