San Francisco Giants’ Willy Adames (2) is congratulated at the dugout by teammate Drew Gilbert after hitting a home run off Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Patrick Sandoval during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Boston.Mary Schwalm/AP Photo/Mary Schwalm

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (52-77) were looking to tie up Saturday’s game two against the Boston Red Sox (70-59). They had a 2-0 lead going into the bottom of the ninth inning and were three outs away sealing the deal.

They took the lead 1-0 early in the game with a Willy Adames solo home run in the first inning. Andrew Knizner hit a second home run in the third inning and San Francisco had a 2-0 lead that persisted into the ninth inning.

They had their opportunities to score some insurance runs but fell short. In the eighth inning they had two runners on base but couldn’t bring either home. They had a huge opportunity in the ninth inning loading the bases with two outs and again came away empty.

They left the door wide open for the Red Sox and Boston was not about to squander their last chance in this game. Eli White singled Caleb Durbin home, Nick Sogard doubled Andruw Monasterio home and this game was tied 2-2.

The Giants would have to fight their way into extra innings. It was up to the bullpen to protect the 2-0 lead and they failed. The final blow was a fielder’s choice off the bat of Wilyer Abreu. White scored on that hit; the Giants challenged the call and it was upheld and that was the ball game 3-2 in a Boston walk-off.

GAME RECAP

San Francisco got a great start in Saturday night’s game two against the Red Sox. They scored early when Willy Adames hit a solo home run taking a 1-0 lead. Giants starting pitcher Blade Tidwell had three straight strikeouts in the first inning.

Tidwell gave up a single in the second inning but had little trouble getting through the inning.

San Francisco added to their score in the third inning with another solo home run the second long ball from Andrew Knizner now leading 2-0.

The Giants took that 2-0 lead into the top of the eighth when they had Osleivis Basabe and Jung Hoo Lee on base but left them both stranded. A missed opportunity for an insurance run or two.

In the top of the ninth inning another missed opportunity this one even more glaring; bases loaded with two outs. Bryce Eldridge lined out and this game hinged on the San Francisco bullpen, Dylan Smith and Sam Hentges.

It was a terrible bottom of the ninth inning for the two pitchers. Between them they walked two runners and hit a third; they loaded the bases with no outs allowing three runs and the walk-off 3-2 in favor of Boston. San Francisco had led though 8 1/2 innings but they just could not finish.

GAME NOTES

This was a particularly painfull loss for the Giant since they had led almost the entire game. They couldn’t get any insurance runs despite having some great opportunities. They went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. They left 11 runners on base. Of course the final blow was the ninth inning bases loaded situation.

No complaints at all regarding the innings on the mound for Blade Tidwell. He was excellent pitching 5 2/3 scoreless innings allowing only three hits and striking out a career high seven.

He gave San Francisco a perfect start. Unfortunately the bullpen could not protect the 2-0 lead. Dylan Smith did help keep Boston off the scoreboard but Sam Hentges came into the ninth and the Red Sox put a lot of pressure on him. A walk and a hit put the tying run in motion. Boston’s hitting in the ninth inning was the difference in this game.

The final play was the toughest one to stomach. Bryce Eldridge made an amazing diving stop at first and threw home but he pulled catcher Andrew Knizner off the plate and Eli White was able to cross home plate and was called safe. The Giant did challenge the call but the call was not overturned and that was the ball game.

Sunday the GIants will try to salvage the series and avoid getting swept. Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson will start for San Francisco. He will get another start after a great outing last Wednesday.

In that game he pitched two shutout innings allowing only one hit, no walks or strikeouts. The Giants did go on to win that game. The Giants will see him again in action Sunday. Jake Bennett will take the mound for the Red Sox. He has a 7-6 win/loss record and a 3.46 ERA. First pitch for that game is scheduled for 12:15 PM.