Category: MLB

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic: Devers will continue as a designated hitter as he joins Giants

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Former Boston Red Sox designated hitter Rafael Devers heads back to the dugout after striking out against the Tampa Bay Rays as Rays catcher Danny Jansen looks on in the bottom of the seventh inning at Fenway Park in Boston on Mon Jun 9, 2025 (AP News Photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic:

#1 How shocking is for Boston Red Sox fans for three time All Star Rafael Devers to get traded to the San Francisco Giants after the Red Sox were going to build their franchise around Devers?

#2 In exchange for Devers the Red Sox will get left handed pitcher Kyle Harrison and right hand pitcher Jordan Hicks talk about their departures and on the face of it it looks as if the Giants got the better end of this deal.

#3 One of the key factors of the trade was Devers was converted to a designated hitter and was taken off third base and was replaced there by Alex Bregman. Devers had played third base all his career and wanted to continue there but was moved to DH and was not happy about. Sources say that Devers requested for a trade.

#4 Devers was in Sunday’s line up against the New York Yankees playing his last game with the Red Sox. Devers as learned of the trade well after the game and just before the beginning of the Giants-Los Angeles Dodgers game at Dodger Stadium before Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN started.

#5 Marko, how much does this deal hurt the Red Sox and help the Giants and do the Houston Astros who lost Bregman to the Red Sox get the last laugh?

Join Marko Ukalovic for the San Francisco Giants podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman: How the Devers trade will pay off for San Francisco

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Boston Red Sox Roman Anthony (right) Rafael Devers (11) share congratulations after their win against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on Sun Jun 15, 2025 it was hours later that this would be Devers last game with the Sox and he would be traded to the San Francisco Giants (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman:

#1 How shocking is for Boston Red Sox fans for three time All Star Rafael Devers to get traded to the San Francisco Giants after the Red Sox were going to build their franchise around Devers?

#2 In exchange for Devers the Red Sox will get left handed pitcher Kyle Harrison and right hand pitcher Jordan Hicks talk about their departures and on the face of it it looks as if the Giants got the better end of this deal.

#3 One of the key factors of the trade was Devers was converted to a designated hitter and was taken off third base and was replaced there by Alex Bregman. Devers had played third base all his career and wanted to continue there but was moved to DH and was not happy about. Sources say that Devers requested for a trade.

#4 Devers was in Sunday’s line up against the New York Yankees playing his last game with the Red Sox. Devers as learned of the trade well after the game and just before the beginning of the Giants-Los Angeles Dodgers game at Dodger Stadium before Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN started.

#5 Stephen, how much does this deal hurt the Red Sox and help the Giants and do the Houston Astros who lost Bregman to the Red Sox get the last laugh?

Join Stephen Ruderman for the San Francisco Giants podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s open three game set with Houston tonight

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Sacramento A’s Nick Kurtz (right) is congratulated by Tyler Soderstrom (21) scores after hitting a home run in the top of the ninth inning at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento on Sun Jun 15, 2025 (AP News photo)

A’s podcast with Barbara Mason:

1.After getting swept in their last series by the Angels the A’s turned things around sweeping the Kansas City Royals over the weekend. Both the Angels and the Royals have similar records but the A’s were able to handle them winning Sunday’s game after trailing 2-0 going into the sixth inning.

2.Going into Sunday’s game the A’s were assured a series win win or lose but they fought back in the sixth inning to tie up the game. Each team finished the game with nine hits but it was the long ball that won this game for the Athletics.

3.Jacob Wilson continues to contribute in every game along with Lawrence Butler, and also got some hits from Denzel Clark, Luis Urias and Brent Rooker.

4.Jeffrey Springs and went six innings allowing the two runs but it was the relief pitching that earned the win for the Athletics.

5.The next series for the A’s will be the Houston Astros in Sacramento Monday night. The series gets underway today -a four game series with the division leaders. This will be a tough series for the team with Mitch Spence on the mound for the A’s. The Astros will start Lance McCullers Jr. How can the A’s handle the Astros.

6. The A’s will be holding a ceremonial groundbreaking on Mon Jun 23 at the old Tropicana Site in Las Vegas announcing they will have shovels in the ground. Actually team president Mark Badain said they’ve already started construction for the Vegas ballpark the big question that will asked did the A’s come up wit h the $1.75 billion for their share of the constructions costs?

Barbara Mason does the Sacramento A’s podcasts Mondays 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. 

A’s game wrap: Kurtz Crush Caps Comeback as A’s Edge Royals 3-2 in Thriller

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Sacramento A’s Nick Kurtz slugs a home run for the go ahead run against the Kansas City Royals at Kaufman Stadium in Kansas City on Sun Jun 15, 2025 (AP News photo)

Kurtz Crush Caps Comeback as A’s Edge Royals 3-2 in Thriller

by Mauricio Segura

A rough couple of months got a rare highlight Sunday afternoon, as the Athletics rallied late and held on for a thrilling 3–2 win over the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium to take the 3-game series. Nick Kurtz, the A’s 22-year-old rookie first baseman, played hero with a go-ahead solo homer in the top of the ninth, his sixth of the year, and Mason Miller slammed the door in the bottom half to lock up the series win.

The A’s, owners of the third-worst winning percentage in baseball coming in, showed signs of grit that have often been absent this season. They trailed 2-0 after three innings, thanks to an RBI double by Royals star Bobby Witt Jr. and a line-drive single from Vinnie Pasquantino. But from there, starter Jeffrey Springs and a carousel of relievers kept Kansas City off the scoreboard, retiring 18 of the final 23 batters.

Offensively, the green and gold waited until the sixth inning to strike. Rookie Jacob Wilson, who leads all of baseball’s freshmen in just about every offensive category, singled to set the table. Austin Wynns then drilled a two-run homer to center field, knotting the game at two apiece. It was Wynns’ fifth long ball of the season and just the A’s 89th as a team, still top 10 in the majors despite their struggles.

In the ninth, Kurtz launched Carlos Estévez’s first offering deep to right-center to give the A’s a 3-2 lead. The Royals got the tying run aboard in their half, but Miller fanned two, including Tyler Tolbert to end it, recording his 14th save and flashing the triple-digit heat that’s made him a rare bright spot in a beleaguered bullpen.

The victory gave the Athletics their first road series win since early May, and snapped a 1-4 road trip. Springs, who began the season in the rotation but has recently shifted into a swingman role, allowed two earned runs across five innings. He didn’t factor into the decision, but his ability to avoid a blowup, a common theme for A’s starters this season, kept the game within reach.

The A’s now head back to Sutter Health Park for a four-game set against the division-leading Astros. With back-to-back wins under their belts and youngsters like Wilson and Kurtz heating up, the green and gold may finally be finding a little traction in a season filled with potholes.

Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, Golden Bay Times.

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 Lose Series To Dodgers In a Close One 5-4; SF deals Harrison and Hicks to Boston for Devers

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Sean Hjelle in the bottom of the first inning delivers to the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Sun Jun 15, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (41-31) led 3-2 going into the bottom of the fifth inning eventually losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers (43-29) 5-4.

San Francisco got close but some great work on the mound for the Dodgers decided this game. Dodger closer Tanner Scott dismissed Willy Adames, Heliot Ramos and Jerar Encarnacion striking all three out for the series win.

Game recap: Sunday the Giants started Sean Hjelle and the Dodgers Dustin May was on the mound looking for his fourth win of the season, now with a 3/4 win/loss record and a 4.46 ERA. This will be a fight for first place in the National League West.

The game got underway under sapphire skies with a pleasant mid-70’s temperature. The stadium was packed with families celebrating Father’s Day and hoping for a home win.

The Dodgers had a 2-0 lead going into the top of the fourth inning. They took a first inning lead 1-0 when Andy Pages sacrificed Shohei Ohtani home for the early advantage. Los Angeles would extend their lead in the second inning when Tommy Edman hit a 400 ft home run for a 2-0 tally.

San Francisco would fight back and take the lead in the fourth inning. Their first run was a Christian Koss single driving Mike Yastrzemski home. Jung Hoo Lee tripled in the fourth and both Logan Porter and Christian Koss scored taking a 3-2 lead. Lee has been playing some terrific offensive and defensive baseball and has been a huge part of their recent success .

The Giants loaded the bases in the fifth inning but came away empty but still had a 3-2 lead. It all changed in the bottom of the inning. The Dodgers took back the lead in the fifth inning scoring three runs now ahead by the score of 5-3.

Pages connected for the second time in the game but this hit resulting in a three run homer with Ohtani and Mookie Betts on base. Los Angeles was back in control in this 130 year rivalry with a lot of baseball still left to be played in today’s game.

San Francisco would make this a one-run game in the top of the eighth inning. Daniel Johnson hit a solo home run and the Giants were within striking distance only trailing by a run 4-5. Giant’s pitcher Tyler Rogers had a solid inning dismissing Teoscar Hernandez, Pages and KiKi Hernandez and it was on to the ninth inning.

Tanner Scott would come into the top of the ninth inning to try and save the game for Los Angeles. Willy Adames struck out to start the inning. Ramos followed suit also striking out and San Francisco was down to their last out.

Jerar Encarnacion was the Giants last hope but he struck out for the third out and that was the ballgame. The Dodgers had won the series and taken a two-game lead in the National League West.

It was a disappointment for San Francisco coming so close in this game but they have a lot to look forward to as this season moves on. Their offense has improved over the past few weeks and it will continue on this path going forward.

Game notes: Sunday afternoon the Giants finished up their series with the first place Los Angeles Dodgers . San Francisco won game one Friday 6-2 and the Dodgers answered back in game two Saturday winning the 11-5.

Sunday the two teams played the rubber game to decide the series winner the Dodgers Andy Pages hit a three run home run to help the Dodgers win it.

Behind the scenes the Giants have been hard at work bulking up this lineup and they came up with a huge addition to the team Sunday. The Giants acquired Boston Red Sox All-Star Rafael Devers, probably one of the ten best hitters in the game today.

News of this trade came just hours after Devers helped the Red Sox sweep the New York Yankees. San Francisco traded away pitcher Jordan Hicks and Kyle Harrison among others for Devers services. This was a blockbuster trade for the team.

Devers is only 28 years old with a batting average of .272 and is a three-time All-Star. Now the Giants have an additional weapon, a player with high-level production as they continue to fend off the Dodgers, San Diego Padres and the Arizona Diamondbacks in a hotly contested division.

Devers could possibly jump right into the position of DH or even transition to first base. Now San Francisco can boast more fire power boosting up their recent offensive effort which in all fairness has turned a corner after struggling in May. Instrumental in this trade was ex-Giant Buster Posey now president of baseball operations. This guy knows what he wants and he sure seems to make it happen.

The Giants will now head back to San Francisco for a series with the Cleveland Guardians. The Guardians are a good .500 team as they to on the road west. The Giants will start Robbie Ray who has been terrific coming into this game with a 8-1 win/loss record and a 2.55 ERA. On the mound for the Guardians Slade Cecconi will start with a 1-3 win/loss record and a 4.26 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for Tuesday at 6:45 PM.

MLB The Show podcast Charlie O: Late pitcher Skaggs says he got drugs from teammate Wade Miley says family; Sox pitcher Crochet strikes out Yanks Judge 3 times; plus more news

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Former Cincinnati Reds pitcher Wade Miley (22) has been accused in a deposition of supplying teammate the late pitcher Tyler Skaggs with drugs. Miley in the deposition denied supplying Skaggs with any drugs (AP file photo)

MLB The Show podcast Charlie O:

#1 The late pitcher of the Los Angels Angels and Arizona Diamondbacks Tyler Skaggs who died of a overdose of fentanyl, oxycodone and alcohol according to an autopsy report from July 1, 2019 Skaggs had died in a Texas hotel room as a member of the Angels. Skaggs was a teammate of left hand pitcher Wade Miley with the Cincinnati Reds.

#2 Further According to a court deposition Skaggs family had questioned Skaggs about his drug use and that Skaggs had admitted taking drugs and that he got them from Miley when they played for the Diamondbacks. Miley said he did not provide Skaggs with any drugs according to a court deposition. The deposition is part of a motion filed by the Angels for the Skaggs family to drop a lawsuit filed by the Skaggs family.

#3 In an extra inning win for the Boston Red Sox in Friday night’s 2-1 game against the New York Yankees. The Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet came out and held the Yankees to a shutout in 8.1 innings of work allowing four hits, striking out seven and striking out Aaron Judge three times. Crochet worked the count on hitters, kept them off balance and had good stuff that made the saying “good pitching beats good hitting” stand up.

#4  Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Endy Rodriguez will have his right elbow get a platelet rich plasma injection. Rodriguez’s elbow is in pain and he got a second opinion from Los Angeles Dodgers Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles. Dr. ElAttrache said that after getting the injection Rodriguez will need to get four weeks of complete rest before he can start working out. Said Pirates manager Don Kelly.

#5 Mon Jun 23rd morning bright and early at 8:00AM PDT the Sacramento A’s will be holding a groundbreaking ceremony at the old Tropicana in Las Vegas to get shovels in the ground for the new ballpark. According to A’s president Mark Badain groundbreaking took place in April but this is an official ceremony to make it official. Some members of the press questioned why is this groundbreaking being held at 8AM which is quite a bit early than usual press conferences or ribbon cuttings. Some say with the least amount of press it’s less questions about per say did the A’s come up with the construction costs yet.

Charlie O does the MLB The Show podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Dodgers Even Series Beating Giants In A Blow-Out 11-5

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Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani looks after he hits a home run in the bottom of the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sun Jun 15, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

After winning game one in their three game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers (42-29), the San Francisco Giants (41-30) got pounded Saturday in game two 11-5. The Los Angeles Dodgers evened up the series with a great offensive effort ; much improved over Friday night’s game.

Shohei Ohtani had a couple of home runs and the Dodgers scored five runs in the second inning and three in the sixth. The Giants were quiet offensively until the ninth inning when Casey Schmitt hit a grand slam with the bases loaded.

Schmitt had back-to-back grand slams, the one Friday and then in this game. The Dodgers Kiki Hernandez gave up the grand slam along with four hits and three walks.

Game recap: After a poor offensive effort in Friday’s game, the Dodgers got their first run in the first inning. A solo shot from Shohei Ohtani gave Los Angeles the early 1-0 lead.

The Dodgers had an impressive second inning scoring five runs and taking a 6-0 lead. Andy Pages singled Teoscar Hernandez home extending their lead to 2-0.

Michael Conforto doubled Max Muncy home followed by a Mookie Betts double that scored two runs Pages and Conforto. The final Los Angeles run in the second was a Will Smith sacrifice bringing Ohtani home giving the home team a 6-0 lead.

The Dodgers did not take their foot off the pedal scoring again in the third inning. Hyeseong Kim singled to center bringing Max Muncy home for a 7-0 lead. The roles had certainly been reversed in game two with the Dodgers offense coming to life through the first half of the game.

San Francisco helped their rival along the way with seven walks through five innings. The Giants starting pitcher Landon Roupp only pitched 1 2/3 innings allowing for hits, six runs and five walks before being relieved by Spencer Bivens.

He really struggled with no strikeouts. On the other hand the Dodgers Clayton Kershaw was having an easy time with only 58 pitches through five innings.

Home run #25 for Shohei Ohtani came in the bottom of the sixth inning, his second of the game for a 8-0 Los Angeles lead. The Dodgers would follow that up with a two run home run off the bat of Teoscar Hernandez and a 10-0 tally.

Clayton Kershaw was relieved in the eighth inning by Michael Kopech. Kershaw had a great seven innings allowing three hits, no runs, one walk and five strikeouts. He certainly got the job done Friday night.

The Dodgers had their third home run of the game in the eighth inning off the bat of Miguel Rojas. The game went into the top of the ninth inning and San Francisco was down to their last three outs.

With only three hits so far in the game there was little chance for the Giants but it did get interesting when Kiki Hernandez took the mound to close out the game. He loaded the bases. gave up a grand slam, three walks and was positively awful. He was relieved by Anthony Banda who closed out the game. The final was 11-5.

Game notes: The Giants won the first game of their series with the Dodgers Friday night 6-2 via a Casey Schmitt grand slam in the third inning. Although it was early in the game, the Giants held on adding another run in the eighth inning for the win. Friday San Francisco starting pitcher Logan Webb had a great game pitching seven innings. Los Angeles did not have the best game in game one and got even in the series in game two. San Francisco finished up the game with 10 hits while the Dodgers only had two hits on Friday. For Saturday night the Giants clobbered the Dodgers 10-5.

Saturday, the Giants will be looking to win game three and the series. With this win, the Dodgers took back sole possession of first place in the National League West. First pitch for game three is scheduled for 4:00 PM and can be viewed on ESPN. Kyle Harrison will take the mound for San Francisco with a 1-1 win/loss record and a 4.56 ERA. Dustin May will start for the Dodgers with a 3-4 win/loss record and a 4.46 ERA.

Sacramento A’s Relocation podcast Daniel Dullum: Set your alarm clocks A’s will break ground at 8AM Monday Jun 23rd in Vegas

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This image shows a rendering of the baseball club’s proposed stadium in Las Vegas. AP photo

Sacramento A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 Daniel, the Athletics groundbreaking will be held at the old Tropicana Casino and Hotel on Monday June 23 at 8:00AM. Some question the time of the ribbon cutting being unusually early by press conference standards.

#2 Some said it could be a tactic to keep the amount of press away that will ask about A’s owner John Fisher’s construction costs and if he paid his share of the $1.75 billion yet?

#3 Do you look at this groundbreaking as a closer step to getting the stadium constructed or is this ceremony being done to keep the pressure off of the Las Vegas Stadium Authority when questioned when are there going to be shovels in the ground.

#3 A’s president Mark Badain said that construction for the Vegas ballpark started back in April and the A’s wanted to make Mon Jun 23rd ribbon cutting a celebration for the A’s and local officials.

#4 VIPs expected to attend the groundbreaking Mon Jun 23rd, A’s owner John Fisher, Badain, Las Vegas Stadium Authority president Steven Hill, Nevada State Legislature, members of the Clark County Commission and Governor Joe Lombardo.

#5 The Stadium Authority report says the construction of the park will take 32 months and is expected to be ready opening day 2028.

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

Sacramento A’s game wrap: Green and Gold Silence; Royals Behind Long Ball and Stellar Pitching in 4-0 win

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Sacramento A’s pitcher Jacob Lopez delivers to the Kansas City Royals line up in the bottom first inning at Kaufman Stadium at Kansas City on Sat Jun 14, 2025 (AP News photo)

Green and Gold Silence Royals Behind Long Ball and Stellar Pitching

By Mauricio Segura

In a sharp and steady Saturday matinee showing at Kauffman Stadium, the Sacramento Athletics rode a power surge and airtight pitching to a 4-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals, shutting down Kansas City with clinical precision and just enough flash to keep things interesting.

The green and gold wasted little time getting on the board. After Tyler Soderstrom drew a walk to open the second inning, Max Muncy launched a two-run shot to left field, his fifth of the year, putting the Athletics up 2-0. It was a no-doubt line drive that never considered staying in the park.

Soderstrom later proved his value again in the fourth, working another walk, swiping second base, and scoring on a Luis Urías double to left. That made it 3-0, giving the A’s just enough cushion to settle into cruise control.

Lawrence Butler added an exclamation mark in the seventh with a solo blast to dead center, his tenth of the season. It was the only hit the Athletics managed off Kansas City reliever Daniel Lynch IV, who had just replaced starter Michael Lorenzen. The green and gold didn’t do much else after that, but they didn’t need to.

The Royals, meanwhile, could barely touch A’s pitching. They scattered just five hits and never advanced a runner past third. A disengagement violation in the third gave Kansas City its only brief spark when Maikel Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr. advanced into scoring position with two outs. But Vinnie Pasquantino flew out to right, ending the threat.

Pasquantino, in fact, struck out three times, part of a larger struggle for Kansas City’s offense. Athletics pitchers combined for 11 strikeouts, and no Royal reached base more than once except for Garcia, who doubled and singled.

Athletics starter Jacob Lopez kept the Royals guessing with four crisp innings. Michael Kelly took over in the fifth and was equally effective, getting help from center fielder Denzel Clarke, who chased down deep flies from Jac Caglianone and Freddy Fermin in the seventh to maintain the shutout. Hogan Harris closed the door in the ninth, striking out Pasquantino once more and stranding a Mark Canha single that barely broke the infield.

On a day where offensive action was sporadic, Soderstrom quietly put together a strong performance: two walks, a stolen base, a run scored, and solid defense in left. Denzel Clarke also contributed on both sides of the ball, reaching base and covering serious ground in center.

The Athletics, who entered the series looking to shake off recent inconsistencies, now have their 28th win of the season and will look to build on this momentum to go back home with a sweep tomorrow afternoon.

Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, Golden Bay Times.

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.

Schmitt Grand Slam Spurs Giants Win Over Dodgers 6-2

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Top of the third inning the San Francisco Giants Casey Schmitt belts a grand slam home run as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith looks on. It was Schmitt’s first career grand slam. It was the first game of the three game series on Fri Jun 13, 2025 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (41-29) beat the Los Angeles Dodgers (41-29) in game one of their series 6-2 Friday night. Willy Adames got a solo home run in the first inning for the first lead of the game. In the third inning Casey Schmitt unleashed a 423 foot shot to left center with the bases loaded; the grand slam gave the Giants a 5-1 lead. Andrew Knizner hit his first home run as a Giant, the third home run for the Giants in this game.

The Giants started off the week with a series win over the Colorado Rockies. Friday night, after facing the worst team in baseball, they faced one of the best teams in baseball, the Dodgers fighting with the Giants for first place in the National League West.

The Dodgers had a tough series to start off their week taking on the San Diego Padres. They won game one in extra innings, got crushed in game two 11-1 but won game three winning the series.

This is the first time these two rivals have faced each other this season. The Giants were missing Matt Chapman out with a hand injury and Patrick Bailey with a neck issue both out for a 10-day IL.

The Dodgers have a slew of injuries although their main players will be in action Friday night. San Francisco will have their hands full facing the likes of Shohei Otani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, Teoscar Hernandez and Max Muncy.

All of these guys have impressive batting averages but every one of them is capable of hitting the ball out of the park. This series could prove to be a dogfight between these two teams who have had a longstanding rivalry. It’s always a great competitive series when these two teams matchup. The Giants have tied for first place in the division with Friday night’s win. Los Angeles had a different outcome in mind.

Game recap: Willie Adames got the Giants up on scoreboard 1-0 in the first inning with a solo home run to right center as he continues the amazing path he has been on.

The Dodgers threatened in the second inning with two runners on the corners with one out. Los Angeles was 90 feet away from tying up this game. Andy Pages hit a sacrifice fly allowing Will Smith to score from third base and this game was tied 1-1.

With two outs in the top of the third inning, the Giants had the bases loaded with Casey Schmitt at the plate. Schmitt came through hitting a grand slam driving Jung Hoo Lee, Wilmer Flores, and Heliot Ramos home for a 5-1 San Francisco lead. The Dodgers Yamamoto was struggling on the mound with not only the home runs but he already had walked four.

The Giants took the 5-1 lead into the top of the sixth inning. Logan Webb faced the top of the Dodger lineup in the bottom of the inning and had only given up 1 hit through six innings. Webb was having an impressive game.

San Francisco had back to back hits in the seventh inning. Dominic Smith singled followed by a double from Flores and San Francisco had runners on second and third. Schmitt struck out leaving the runners stranded but the Giants kept their lead intact going into the bottom of the seventh inning. The Dodgers Teoscar Hernandez hit a solo home run in the seventh but that would be it for Los Angeles still trailing 5-2.

It was a memorable game for Andrew Knizner hitting his first home run as a Giant in the top of the eight inning extending the Giants lead to 6-2. Tyler Rogers relieved Logan Webb in the bottom of the eighth inning. Webb had a terrific game allowing two hits, two runs, three walks and four strikeouts.

Ryan Walker came in to close out the game for San Francisco. There were two down in the bottom of the ninth inning with Hernandez at the plate, the Dodgers last hope . He struck out and that was the ball game 6-2. The Giants and the Dodgers now have the exact same record deadlocked for first in the National League West.

First pitch for game two of this series is scheduled for 7:10 PM Saturday night. Los Angeles will be looking to even up this series while the Giants would like nothing better than to take a 2-0 lead in the series. Landan Roupp will take the mound for the Giants with a 4-4 win/loss record and a 3.29 ERA. The Dodgers plan on starting the veteran Clayton Kershaw. He has a 1-0 win/loss record and a 4.35 ERA.