By Barbara Mason

Tuesday evening the San Francisco Giants (57-82) took on the Pittsburgh Pirates (68-71) in a 3-game series at PNC Park. San Francisco comes into this game on a winning note having won yesterday’s game against the Atlanta Braves. Today they will be looking for their third win in a row. This game got off in the right direction for the Pirates scoring 2 runs in the first inning for the early 2-0 lead. San Francisco punched right back in the top of the second inning scoring 5 runs taking a 5-2 lead. The bottom of the third inning turned into another problem start for San Francisco starting pitcher Logan Webb. The Pirates loaded the bases numerous times and when the inning had come to an end they had taken an 11-5 lead and scored 9 runs. The Giants would get back two runs in the sixth inning cutting the Pirates lead to 11-7. Pittsburgh’s Brandon Lowe hit a home run in the bottom of the seventh inning and San Francisco was running out of time trailing 12-7. This entire game turned in favor of the Giants in the eighth inning when they scored five runs in the inning tying up this game 12-12. When it looked like extra innings, the Pirates Brandon Lowe scored on a throwing error by Giants third baseman Osleivis Basabe and that was the ball game, the Pirates salvaging this game and winning in a walk-off 13-12.

GAME RECAP

The Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb was looking for a strong start after stumbling in his last outing. He had a bit of a rough start in the first inning giving up three singles as well as hitting a batter. The Pirates Nick Gonzales singled Brandon Lowe home for the first run of the game. Oneil Cruz would single Bryan Reynolds home taking a 2-0 lead.

San Francisco answered in the top of the second inning with some tremendous at bats. Osleivis Basabe walked to start off the inning followed by a Drew Cavanaugh infield single. With two runners on base Christian Koss singled Basabe home for their first run of the game. Tommy Hill hit another single and Cavanaugh scored and this game was tied. Rafael Devers cleared the bases with his 31st home run of the season, a three-run shot and San Francisco had taken a 5-2 lead.

It was looking really good for the Giants until they ran into a buzz-saw in the bottom of the third inning. The Pirates went on a scoring frenzy loading the bases a number of time in the inning. It seemed to be a never ending inning for the Giants and when it was all said and done, the bottom of the inning had taken 35 minutes and the Pirates had scored 9 runs taking an 11-5 lead. Pittsburgh had hit 8 singles, two batters had walked and Nick Gonzalez had been hit by a pitch. Giants starting pitcher Logan was relieved in the third inning by Braxton Roxby.

The score remained 11-5 in favor of the Pirates going into the top of the sixth inning. San Francisco got back two runs in the sixth inning loading the bases. Christian Koss hit an infield single to start off the inning followed by a Tommy Hill single. Bryce Eldridge walked and the Giants had the bases loaded. Jonah Cox singled Koss home for the first run and Jung Hoo Lee grounded out allowing Hill to score and San Francisco had cut into the Pirates lead.

The Pirates extended their lead to 12-7 in the bottom of the seventh when Brandon Lowe hit a solo home run making it even more difficult for a San Francisco comeback. San Francisco relief pitcher Cesar Perdomo had given up the home run in the inning but it did not effect his work on the mound. He continued to throw strikes and got the Giants out of the inning striking out Oneil Cruz. It was on to the eighth inning.

San Francico got a rally going in the top of the eighth loading the bases with only one out. They had a great opportunity to do some major damage with Osleivis Basabe at the plate. There was a pitching change for the Pirates after relief pitcher Evan Sisk walked three batters in a row. Luke Weaver would take the mound for Pittsburgh walking the first batter he faced putting another run on the board for San Francisco. In an unbelievable turn, and thanks so some shaky pitching by the Pirates, the Giants tied up this game 12-12. This was the second time in the game that San Francisco had scored five runs in an inning. Basabe walked and Bryce Eldridge scored, Drew Cavanaugh doubled Jonah Cox and Jung Hoo Lee home and Nate Furman singled Basabe and McCray home for the five runs and the tie ball game.

The Giants had one last chance to take the lead going into the ninth inning. They were unable to score and unfortunaely the Pirates were able to put two runners on base in the bottom of the ninth. With two outs Brandon Lowe scored on a throwing error from third baseman Basabe and that was the ball game. The Pirates won in a walk-off 13-12. San Francisco had fought so hard to tie up this game and it all came down to an errant throw that lost the game for the Giants.

GAME NOTES

It was another rough one for San Francisco starting pitcher Logan Webb. They pulled him out of the game after only two innings. He had given up 9 hits, 9 earned runs, 2 walks with only 1 strikeout. It was another tough one for the pitcher. Braxton Roxby relieved Webb for one inning also struggling giving up 4 hits, 2 runs. One bright spot for the San Francisco Giants was the appearance of Cesar Perdomo in the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th innings. He was called up by the Giants today making his major-league debut. He had a great outing going four innings, giving up 3 hits, 1 earned run with 4 strikeouts.

There were a number of contributing factors that lost this game for the Giants. They certainly had enough offense to have won this game. The bullpen couldn’t protect the lead when they had it. The Giants needed their relievers to shut the door late and they did not. San Francisco allowed far too many runs after taking the lead. And obviously the third inning was a huge blow for the Giants. It all came down to the ninth inning defensive mistake with the game tied. Brandon Lowe was able to cross home plate on a throwing error, that being the final difference in the game. The Pittsburgh offense was relentless scoring 13 runs throughout the game. When you score 12 runs on the road you would normally expect to win the game but it came down to the pitching and the defense. They just could not preserve the means to go into extra innings.

Tomorrow the Giants will be looking to tie up this series. Both teams will be stretched after today’s 4 1/2 hour game. Landen Roupp will take the mound for the Giants. He has a 8-13 win/loss record and a 4.25 ERA. The Pirates will start Jared Jones. He comes into this game with a 2-6 win/loss record and a 4.83 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 3:40 PM.