Category: MLB

Giants Lose Another Series Falling to White Sox 5-2; Sox 4 run seventh does in SF

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Chicago White Sox catcher Kyle Teel (left) and pitcher Mike Vasil (right) celebrate another rare White Sox win over the San Francisco Giants at Rate Field in Chicago on Sun Jun 29, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (45-39) lost another series, this one to the Chicago White Sox (27-56) 5-2. This was their second series loss in a row. The Giants continue to underperform at the plate. They finished the game with only five hits, the White Sox with 11.

Justin Verlander has not won a game this season although he did pitch a good game in this one. HIs ERA improved from 4.52 to 4.26 in this game. Relief pitching allowed four runs in this game which sealed the deal for Chicago.

Game recap: The White Sox got to work early in the first inning taking a 1-0 lead. Andrew Benintendi sacrificed to left field and base runner Mike Tauchman scored getting up on the scoreboard for a nice Chicago start.

San Francisco tied up this game in the second inning when Patrick Bailey doubled with a bullet hit to right field and base runner Christian Koss scored. This game was all knotted up 1-1. The White Sox threatened twice in the second inning with a runner on base. Chicago hit two deep balls that were corralled by Mike Yastrzemski in right field and a second caught by Jung Hoo Lee in centerfield robbing the White Sox of at least a couple of doubles as well as a run and the lead in this game.

The tie persisted going into the fifth inning. Work on the mound collapsed for the White Sox when Jordan Leasure relieved relief pitcher Brandon Eisert. Leasure walk Devers after striking out Ramos and went on to walk WIlmer Flores and Willie Adames for three walks in the inning. He loaded the bases and the Adames walk allowed Devers to score breaking the tie for a 2-1 San Francisco lead. The Giants still had the bases loaded. San Francisco would not score agains in the inning leaving runners stranded.

Justin Verlander finshed the game going six innings . He was relieved in the seventh inning by Erik Miller. Verlander had a great showing on the mound in his six innings of pitching.

The White Sox started off the seventh inning still trailing 1-2 but threatened putting two runners on base with Mike Tauchman and Chase Meidroth both hitting singles with only one out.

Andrew Benintendi grounded out advancing the runners to second and third with two outs. Chicago cashed in taking the lead 3-2. Miguel Vargas walked loading the bases. Kyle Teel doubled driving Slater (who ran for Taushman) and Meidroth home for their first lead since the first inning.

The White Sox were not finished in a horrible inning for San Francisco. Miguel Vargas extended the Chicago lead when he scored on a balk 4-2. Lenyn Sosa came to the plate and singled Kyle Teel home and the White Sox had a 5-2 lead going into the eighth inning.

San Francisco had some work to do with only two innings left to do it in. Scattered rain drips had hampered both teams throughout the game but they were able to play on.

The Giants got two runners on base to start the eighth inning. Jung Hoo Lee was hit by a pitch and Christian Koss singled to right. Patrick Bailey struck out for the first out but Wisely walked loading the bases with only one out.

It was time for a pitching change for Chicago as Tyler Gilbert took over on the mound. When it was looking so good for San Francisco Heliot Ramos hit into a double play and the Giants had squandered a great opportunity.

The White Sox threatened again the eighth inning with runners on first and third but the Giants got out of the inning and this game went into the top of the ninth inning. San Francisco was down to their final three outs.

Rafael Devers, Wilmer Flores and Mike Yastrzemski were the last hope for the Giants in this game. Devers struck out but Flores walked and San Francisco had a runner on base with one out. The Giants again hit into a double play and that was the ball game with Chicago winning the game and the series 5-2.

This was another tough series loss for the Giants. This was a series that they should have won but the White Sox finished the game with 11 hits and the Giants only five. They continue to operate very poorly offensively. They have fallen into second place tied with the San Diego Padres who with the Dodger win today trail 7.5 games behind Los Angeles.

Game notes: After a disappointing game Saturday losing to the Chicago White Sox 1-0 the Giants came in hoping to win the series but only dropped it as the Sox won it two games to one. The Giant’s offense were sluggish Saturday with only four hits and once again lacked production at the plate Sunday.

The weather was looking inclement as first pitch got closer. Rain threatened the start of the game and that was coupled with a very humid 89 degrees. San Francisco starter Justin Verlander will have to wait another start for his first win of the season. Verlander pitched six innings, five hits, one earned run, two walks, and three strike outs. For Chicago starter Jonathan Cannon pitched three innings, three hits, one earned run, three walks, four strikeouts.

San Francisco will now travel to Arizona for a four-game series with the Diamondbacks. First pitch for that game Monday is scheduled for 6:40 PM. San Francisco will start Robbie Ray who has a 8-3 win/loss record and a 2.75 ERA. The Diamondbacks Brandon Pfaadt will take the mound with a 8-5 win/loss record and a 5.38 ERA.

MLB The Show podcast Charlie O: Former A’s star Dave Parker dies at 74; Dodgers Ohtani throws fastest pitch of career 101.7 mph; plus more news

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During a tribute to the World Champions 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates Dave Parker (39) who was on that club tips his hat to Pirates fans at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Sat Jul 20, 2019. Parker passed away on Sat Jun 28, 2026 at age 74. (AP file photo)

Headline Sports Podcast Charlie O:

#1 It is with sadness to report that former Oakland A’s outfielder and better known with the Pittsburgh Pirates Dave Parker has passed away at 74 years old. Parker a two time World Series Champion his cause of death was disclosed by the Pirates on Saturday. Parker hit .290, 2712 hits, 339 homers, and 1493 RBIs. Parker was part of that A’s 1988 and 1989 World Series teams.

#2  Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani threw the fastest pitch in his MLB career clocking in at 101.7 mph and pitched two innings allowing one hit, one walk against the Kansas City Royals on Saturday night at Kaufman Stadium. It was the first time that Ohtani pitched more than one inning this season.

#3 Former Texas Ranger Elvis Andrus received a plaque and entered the Rangers Hall of Fame. Andrus was a close to National Hall of Famer and former Ranger Adrian Beltre for eight seasons they played together. Beltre said of Elvis, “He’s one of the best ballplayers to play here with the Rangers. He did so many things to make our ballclub better when we played.”

#4  Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper at Truist Park in Cobb County faced live pitching for the first time since he was place on the IL back on June 6. Harper is going through hitting in the cage after suffering an injury to his right wrist. Harper was on the ten day IL and traveled to Atlanta and take in a morning workout.

#5 The only way the Sacramento A’s are going to beat one of the most powerful teams in MLB the New York Yankees is by good pitching they got that out of a combination of two pitchers. Starter JP Sears had himself a good outing 5.2 innings, allowing two hits, three walks and four strikeouts. A’s reliever Jack Perkins pitched 3.1 innings allowed one hit, one walk and three strikeouts to get the 3-0 shutout.

Join Charlie O for the MLB podcast The Show Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s Relocation podcast Daniel Dullum: A’s owner Fisher says ballpark cost will grow to $2 billion

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Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred is all smiles after the Sacramento A’s groundbreaking ceremony at the former Tropicana Hotel and Casino where the A’s plan to build their new ballpark on Mon June 23, 2025 (AP News photo)

A’s Relocation podcast Daniel Dullum:

#1 Sacramento A’s owner John Fisher says that the cost of the Las Vegas ballpark will grow to $2 billion. Fisher. Fisher and the A’s had a deadline to meet last December to come up with their share of the construction costs at the tune of $1.75 billion but it’s still a question does John Fisher have the money even after the ground breaking on Monday.

#2 Even baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said he hoped that the shovels in the ground “puts to bed the doubt as to where they’re going to be in 2028.” Still at the Monday presser no one came out and said that the A’s have funded their share of the construction costs.

#3 Daniel, do you think that this press conference Monday was designed to quell any doubts that the media or the public may have that the A’s and the Las Vegas Stadium Authority are ready with the financials to move forward with the ballpark project.

#4 A’s executive Sandy Dean was asked if Fisher has the money for the construction costs. Then why would he have to sell the San Jose Earthquakes. Dean said that” the project is independent of the Earthquakes.”

#5 Manfred said regarding any shot of an expansion team possibility for Oakland could be in the future. Manfred was frustrated with how negotiations went with former Oakland Mayor Sheng that the way he feels now there would be no way there would ever be another MLB team in Oakland again. Manfred also he didn’t want to talk about potential expansion sites.

Join Daniel Dullum for the A’s Relocation podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

White Sox Benintendi Solo Home Run Beats Giants 1-0 to even series 1-1

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San Francisco Giant outfielder Mike Yastrzemski (5) just misses catching the Chicago White Sox Andrew Benintendi’s home run in the bottom of the sixth inning at Rate Field in Chicago on Sat Jun 28, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Looking to take a 2-0 series lead the San Francisco Giants (45-38) didn’t get the desired result losing to the Chicago White Sox (27-56) 1-0. The White Sox had six hits in the game the crusher a solo home run in the sixth inning off the bat of Andrew Benintendi.

The Giants only managed four hits. Christian Koss had two hits and Mike Yastrzemski had a single and Brett Wisely also had a single. San Francisco starting pitcher Robbie Ray had six strikeouts allowing four hits, one earned run, and two walks. White Sox starting pitcher Adrian Houser had a great outing giving up the only four San Francisco hits along with one walk and five strikeouts.

Game recap: Through the first five innings neither team was having much offense going on at all in a pitcher’s dual. The only run in this game came in the sixth inning, a solo shot off the bat of Andrew Benintendi for a 1-0 lead and that would be the only run for either team in this game. The final was 1-0 in favor of the White Sox tying up the series at one apiece. The Giants only had four hits in the game, the White Sox had seven hits with the shot in the sixth inning at Rate Field .

This was a horrible loss for the Giants getting nothing going at the plate. Attendance at Rate Field was indicative of the miserable record the White Sox have this year. Barely over 20,000 fans saw Chicago beat one of the best teams in baseball today.

Wins have been few and far between for the White Sox. Sunday the two teams will play the rubber game of the series with San Francisco looking to put this game behind them and win the series. They need more production at the plate or else they are destined to suffer more ugly games like today. Their bats have gone stale, hits are MIA.

Game notes: Saturday afternoon the Giants were shutout by the White Sox the worst team in the American League. While San Francisco should at the very least win the series which is even at 1-1, the Giants have seen some crazy upsets throughout the season.

No team should ever be taken for granted. Saturday the Giants started Ray who has been pitching very well and gave San Francisco a great chance for a win but they didn’t get any run support: the lacked hit production at the plate. Andrew Houser who started for the ChiSox gave up only four hits and struck out five hitters.

Sunday’s game, the Giants are slightly favored which should absolutely not be the case. San Francisco’s Justin Verlander will be on the mound for the Giants still in search of his first win as a Giant. He has a 0-5 win/loss record and a 4.52 ERA. At the time of this post, the White Sox will start RHP Luis Castillo (2-7 ERA 4.66) game. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 11:10 AM PT.

Sears sets the stage in A’s shutout over Yankees 3-0 in the Bronx

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Sacramento A’s Jacob Wilson (5) and Lawrence Butler (4) both greet Nick Kurtz (16) in the top of the sixth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

NEW YORK.—After getting shutout by the New York Yankees on Friday night, the Athletics returned the favor on Saturday, beating the home team 7-0 at Yankee Stadium.

A’s designated hitter Brent Rooker hit his 17th homer of the season in the fourth inning and ended Yankees starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt’s scoreless streak at 28 1/3 innings.

Athletics manager Mark Kotsay, who talked about the lacking offense in the 3-0 loss in the series opener, credited Rooker for getting the scoring streak going in game two.

“It took a big hit, right? I mean, it took it from the guy that’s the leader, the guy that we lean on for offense… is the All-Star and got a hit, with 39, 40 home runs last year,” Kotsay said of Rooker.

“So for him to get that big hit for us, you could, like he talked about, feel the deep breathe and the sigh of, ‘OK, here we go,’ and that started our offense today and I think the at-bats just got better and better.”

In the sixth, Nick Kurtz homered on a fly ball to right field and Lawrence Butler and Jacob Wilson scored, boosting the A’s up 4-0.

A’s starting pitcher JP Sears, who is a former Yankee, allowed two hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Kotsay said it was a “big start” for Sears and will hopefully help him bounce back and get some momentum.

Sears said, “It was fun to be out there, obviously Yankee Stadium has got a lot of good fans and a lot of good vibes and they’re a great team, so anytime you’re able to have a good outing, obviously it’s fun.”

In the eighth, Tyler Soderstrom went out on a sacrifice fly to left field and Rooker scored, making it 5-0 A’s. Then Austin Wynns singled on a sharp line drive to center field and Kurtz and Max Muncy scored, giving the A’s a 7-0 lead.

Clarke took his fourth loss of the season and just the second time this year that he has allowed more than three runs in a start.

The A’s (34-51) are 2-3 in their nine-game road trip and 2-5 in their last seven games. They improved to 5-13 versus the Yankees (47-35) since 2023.

The last game of the series at Yankee Stadium takes place on Sunday with A’s right-handed pitcher Luis Severino (2-8 ERA 4.83), another former Yankee, facing Yankees right-handed pitcher Marcus Stroman (0-1 ERA 11.57). First pitch is at 10:35 a.m. PT.

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Five Yank pitchers combine for 3-0 shutout over A’s; Sacramento suffers second consecutive shutout

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The score says it all as the Sacramento A’s were blanked for the second consecutive game in a row this time to the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx 3-0 on Fri Jun 27, 2025 (A’s X photo)

By Jessica Kwong

NEW YORK.—The Athletics were shutout by the New York Yankees 3-0 on Friday night in the series opener at Yankee Stadium. It was the second game in a row that the A’s had been shutout. They were also shutout 8-0 on Thursday afternoon in Detroit.

Athletics starting pitcher Mitch Spence, a former Yankees minor leaguer, allowed three runs and three hits in five innings, but recorded his third loss of the season.

A’s manager Mark Kotsay was pleased with Spence’s performance, and said it came down to a lacking offense.

“Ultimately at the end of the day, the offense – we got shut down. We had opportunities, I think we had first and second twice and couldn’t capitalize with the bases loaded in the first,” said Kotsay.

“The moral of the story is yeah, if you don’t score you don’t win.”

Yankees starter Jazz Chisholm Jr. had a historic night, homering on the first pitch he saw in his 500th game, and putting the Yankees up 1-0 at the bottom of the second inning.

Outside of Chrisholm’s cutter, Kotsay said Spence “pitched out of the gym” and got two strikeouts when the bases were loaded to get out of the inning and keep the game at three.

At the bottom of the third, Cody Bellinger singled on a ground ball to center fielder JJ Bleday, deflected by shortstop Jacob Wilson, and Anthony Volpe scored to put New York up 2-0.

In the fourth, DJ LeMahieu singled on a ground ball to shortstop Wilson, deflected by Spence, and Paul Goldschmidt scored to boost the Yankees up 3-0.

Spence, who spent five years training in pitching with the Yankees, said it was “pretty surreal” to be back at Yankee Stadium and “probably one of the most nervous I’ve been before a game”. He credited New York for developing good pitchers and giving him “an idea of what I had to do to have long-term success”.

The A’s (33-51) lost for the fifth time in six games and are 1-3 on their nine-game road trip. They were shutout for the sixth time this season. The A’s are 4-13 versus the yankees since 2023.

Friday’s game had an attendance of 46,192 and was the 11th sellout of the season for the Yankees (47-34). Fans stayed past the end of the game to enjoy a spectacular Fireworks Night at the storied stadium.

Game two is on Saturday with Athletics left-handed pitcher JP Sears (5-7, 5.44 ERA) facing Yankees right-handed pitcher Clarke Schmidt (4-3, 2.84). First pitch is at 10:05 a.m. PT.

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Giants Start Road Trip In Right Direction Beating Chicago White Sox 3-1

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San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey connects for a two run RBI triple in the top of the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field in Chicago on Fri Jun 27, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (45-37) got their ten-game road trip going in the right direction Friday night beating the Chicago White Sox (26-56) in game one of their series 3-1. The White Sox did score first in the first inning but the Giants tied it up in the third inning 1-1.

They added a couple more runs in the sixth inning when Patrick Bailey hit a triple taking a 3-1 lead that was the final score. San Francisco only had six hits but it was enough to get the job done.

Game recap: The White Sox got up on the scoreboard in the first inning taking the early 1-0 lead. The White Sox Chase Meidroth scored on a San Francisco error for the run. Willy Adames was charged with an error, his 12th error of the season. The Sox hung onto the lead through the second inning but it was the third inning that this game took a turn and continued on that course going into the ninth inning.

The Giants scored once in the third inning when Wilmer Flores doubled driving Patrick Bailey home tying up the game 1-1.

San Francisco would add on in the sixth inning with two insurance runs. Bailey had another hit, a triple driving Willy Adames and Christian Koss home for a 3-1 lead and the Giants had some breathing room. They would take that lead into the bottom of the ninth inning.

Each team had gone through four pitchers in the game. Landon Roupp pitched 5 1/3 innings allowing seven hits, no earned runs, two walks and four strikeouts. Ryan Walker would relieve him finishing off the sixth inning. Randy Rodriguez pitched the seventh inning and Tyler Rogers the eighth inning.

Both pitchers had great innings. Camilo Doval would take the mound in the ninth inning to try and finish off this game in favor of the Giants. The Giants were three outs away from taking the first game of this series.

The White Sox starting pitcher Aaron Civale went only four innings allowing three hits, ine earned run, four walks and four strikeouts. Tyler Alexander would relieve him in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings.

After some recent struggles, Doval got the ninth inning underway dismissing Edgar Quero on a ground out and followed that up with a Mike Tauchman strike out. He would go on to strike out Chase Meidroth for the third out and that was the ball game. The Giants had a great start in this three game series as they start a ten game road trip.

Game notes: Friday night, the Giants took on the White Sox at Rate Field. The Giants are coming off a disappointing series with the Miami Marlins getting swept. The White Sox also had a rough series to start the week losing a series to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

They did win game three but got stomped pretty good in game one losing 10-0 and also lost game two. San Francisco starter Landen Roupp pitched 5.1 innings, surrendering seven hits, no earned runs, two walks and four strikeouts. For ChiSox starter Aaron Civale four innings pitched, three hits, one earned run, four walks, four strikeouts.

San Francisco will be looking to take a 2-0 lead in this series Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 1:10 PM. Chicago will face Robbie Ray who will take the mound for the Giants. He has been pitching lights out and has a 8-2 win/loss record and a 2.83 ERA. The White Sox will start Adrian Houser who comes into this game with a 2-2 win/loss record and a 2.27 ERA.

San Francisco Giants podcast Michael Villanueva: Giants best chance are against dead last White Sox

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San Francisco Giants starter Landen Roupp gets the call against the Chicago White Sox on Fri Jun 27, 2025 to open a three game series at Rate Field in the Southside of Chicago (AP News file photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Michael Villanueva:

#1 Kyle Stowers and Agustin Ramirez both hit home runs as the Miami Marlins came back from behind to beat the San Francisco Giants on Thursday afternoon at Oracle Park in San Francisco 12-5 to sweep the Giants.

#2 Xavier Edwards hit for a two run double adding to the run total for the Marlins it’s their fourth straight win and they have now won five of six games and have won six straight wins on the road. The Marlins played with confidence and are using the small ball to beat teams on the road.

#3 The Giants Rafael Devers has found his groove despite the loss with three hits including a home run, a double. The home run was Devers 17th of the year and the second homer in nine games since he joined the Giants since last week.

#4 The Giants are in a bad slide, they got swept by the Marlins and have lost eight of their last 11 games.

#5 Giants open up a three game series with the Chicago White Sox Friday. For the Giants RHP Landen Roupp (5-5 ERA 3.67) opposes the White Sox RHP Aaron Civale (1-4 ERA 5.03) first pitch 4:40pm PDT.

Join Michael Villanueva for the Giants podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A wild buzzkill ends with Marlins’ 12-5 win and sweep of Giants at Oracle Park

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San Francisco Giant Brett Wisely takes off after hitting a two run double in the bottom of the fourth inning against the Miami Marlins at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Thu Jun 26, 2025 (AP News photo)

Thursday, June 26, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Miami Marlins 12 (34-45)

San Francisco Giants 5 (44-37)

Win: Josh Simpson (1-0)

Loss: Hayden Birdsong (3-2)

Time: 2:48

Attendance: 33,804

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–Thursday’s game was both a wild one and an absolute buzzkill, as tempers flared, and the Giants came back from down 5-0 to tie the game, but at the end, the Marlins smoked the Giants 12-5 to complete the three-game sweep at Oracle Park.

The Giants’ offense appeared to finally be back on track after their epic 9-5 win over the Red Sox on Sunday. However, the offense went stagnant again in the first two games of this three-game series against the Marlins. The Giants dropped both games against a young team that they should have beaten, and Friday, they faced the potential embarrassment of being swept by that team.

Hayden Birdsong got off to a great start after being added to the Giants’ rotation last month, but he was hit around by the Red Sox in his last start last Friday. Thursday, Birdsong would take the ball and hope to help the Giants avoid an embarrassing sweep. 

Some housecleaning notes. Three Giants were hit Wednesday night, and the last one hit Casey Schmitt on his left hand. Schmitt was in obvious pain and unable to play Thursday. The Giants were understandably sore about it. Birdsong retired the first two men he faced, but decided to hit Otto Lopez.

It was obvious what the intent was. Home Plate Umpire and Crew Chief Alfonso Marquez gathered his crew together, as has been the procedure for issuing warnings since 2020, and Marquez put out warnings. Predictably, Marlins Manager Clayton McCullogh came out to argue, and was promptly tossed.

The Giants wanted to send a message, but it would completely backfire. Agustin Ramirez lined a double down the right field line to put runners at second and third, and Kyle Stowers hit an absolute bomb more than half-way up the bleachers in right-center field.

I don’t know if I have ever seen a home run hit that deep to that part of this ballpark. Once thing was for sure though: the wind was blowing out, and the ball was certainly jumping today. Stowers’ blast would not be the last bomb hit Thursday.

Janson Junk took the ball for the Marlins, and with a name like that, you’d expect him to be a finesse guy who throws literal junk. Unfortunately, they’re really clamping down on that these days, and Junk is actually a fire-baller, whose fastball generally tops out at 96 miles per hour. Buzzkill!!! 

That was just the first buzzkill of the day. The Giants went down scoreless against Junk in the first two innings. Agustin Ramirez then hit a mammoth blast to the back of the bleachers in left in the top of the third to give the Marlins a 5-0 lead.

If you think about it, it seems like whenever the Giants trail 5-0 at home, they tend to come back. Especially if they’re on a losing streak, or on the verge of getting swept. 

The Giants came back from down 5-0 to beat the Reds on April 9 to avert a sweep. They then came back from down 5-0 to beat the Padres on the fourth of this very month when they were on the verge of being just four games over .500. 

With the Giants in danger of being swept by the Marlins and trailing 5-0 going to the bottom of the third, did the Giants have another comeback in them?

Well, Andrew Knizner led off the bottom of the third with a little fist job to right. Mike Yastrzemski struck out looking, but Rafael Devers put the Giants on the board with a home run to right-center, his second as a Giant, and it was 5-2.

Birdsong threw his first and only one two three inning of the day in the top of the fourth, and the Giants were ready to get to work in the bottom of the fourth. Jung Hoo Lee led off the inning with a triple, and Willy Adames got him in with a base-hit to make it 5-3. 

Christian Koss doubled to right to put runners at second and third. Up came Brett Wisely, who hit a double off the wall in right, and just like that, the game was tied.

The Giants were playing good fundamental baseball, but they had to be buzzkills. Koss was standing at second with nobody out, but the Giants were unable to get him in and take the lead.

Birdsong walked Jesus Sanchez and Otto Lopez to start the fifth, and he was done. Spencer Bivens came in and struck out the next two, and it looked like he would get out of the inning with the momentum still on the Giants’ side.

Unfortunately, Eric Wagaman doubled into the gap in left-center, and both runners scored to put the Marlins back ahead. Connor Norby followed that up with a base-hit to left to knock in Wagaman, and the Marlins bounced right back with a three-spot to take an 8-5 lead.

Though there was an entertaining end to the top of the fifth. Dane Meyers struck out swinging, and then he snapped his bat in half over his leg and slammed the handle of his bat and his helmet to the ground. To say the least, the crowd of 33,804 here at Oracle Park did not like it, and they let Mr. Meyers know it. Me? I found it entertaining.

The Giants’ offense of course went stagnant the rest of the way. The only drama was when Wilmer Flores got into it with Marlins’ pitcher Cade Gibson after he struck Wilmer out to end the bottom of the seventh. The benches cleared, and nobody was tossed, but Gibson must have done or said something that set Wilmer off.

A small little skirmish like that can fire up a team. Unfortunately, that team was the Marlins, who tagged Sean Hjelle for four runs in the top of the eighth to turn this game into a laugher. 

The Marlins went on to win 12-5, and the Giants suffered the greatest buzzkill of the day: being swept at home by the Marlins. I am not knocking on the Marlins, but this was a series the Giants had to take at least two out of three in, and getting swept by a team like the Marlins is never good.

Josh Simpson finished off the bottom of the fourth for the Marlins. Simpson only faced two guys, but since the Marlins scored three runs in the top of the fifth to take a lead that they would hold the rest of the game, the kid got his first big league win. Hayden Birdsong took the loss.

The Giants fall to 44-37, and they are now six and a half games back of the Dodgers in the National League West. Believe it or not, today was game number 81 for the Giants, which means they are exactly half-way through their regular season schedule.

However, the first half doesn’t officially end until the All-Star Break. That means the Giants have 97 games in the first half, and will have just 65 games in the second half. That’s how this works, folks!

I really jinxed it when I said on Sunday that the Giants playing the Marlins and White Sox was a treat. Now, the Giants really need to take at least two out of three when they go to the South Side of Chicago to take on the White Sox this weekend.

Friday’s game at Rate Field will also be the opener of a 10-game, three-city road trip. It will be three in Chicago, followed by four in Arizona against the Diamondbacks, and three against the A’s in Sacramento.

Another problem the Giants have is that their bullpen was taxed in this series against the Marlins, and today was just day three of 16-straight days of games. In fact, the Giants only have one day off between now and the All-Star Break. Dave Flemming hinted on Thursday’s radio broadcast on KNBR that the Giants may have to make some roster moves as a result.

Landen Roupp (5-5, 3.67 ERA) will take the ball in the series opener at Rate Field Friday night. Aaron Civale (1-4, 5.03 ERA) will take the ball for the South Siders.

First pitch will be at 6:40 p.m. in Chicago, 4:40 p.m in San Francisco.

Giants News and Notes:

  • There is no official word, but rumor has it that the x-rays on Casey Schmitt’s left hand were negative. A little piece of good news for the Giants on this rough afternoon, as Schmitt has been one of their hottest hitters as of late.

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson: A’s offense sputters Tigers Enns effective shutting down A’s hitting

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Sacramento A’s pitcher JT Ginn (70) deals to the Detroit Tigers line up in the bottom of the sixth inning on Thu Jun 26, 2025 at Comerica Park in Detroit (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 Detroit Tigers starter Dietrich Enns threw five innings of shutout ball against the Sacramento A’s for a 8-0 win. It was Enns return to the big leagues on Thursday at Comerica Park.

#2 Enns now 1-0 allowed a base hit and two base on balls in his first game back since Sep 24, 2021 when he pitched two shutout innings against the Miami Marlins when he was with the Tampa Bay Rays.

#3 A’s pitcher Jeffrey Springs now 5-6 had a tough afternoon surrendering three runs and five hits, two walks in five innings of work. As the Tigers demolished A’s pitching.

#4 The closest the A’s came to scoring was when they had runners at first and second in the top of the third with one down. Enns got Jacob Wilson to fly to right and Brent Rooker hit into a double play.

#5 The A’s are off to the Bronx and the New York Yankees on Friday for the first of three games. Starting pitcher for Sacramento RHP Mitch Spence (2-2 ERA 3.84) for New York RHP Will Warren (4-4 ERA 4.56) first pitch 4:05pm PDT.

Jeremiah Salmonson is a Sacramento A’s beat writer at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.