Category: San Francisco Giants

D-Backs Merrill Kelly goes the distance to blank Giants 7-0

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Arizona Diamondback starter Merrill Kelly was on all night and shutout the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field in Phoenix on Mon Jul 25, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Michael Duca and Morris Phillips

Arizona Diamondbacks (45-53) pitcher Merrill Kelly who finished what he started on Monday night at Chase Field in Phoenix to open a three game series against the San Francisco Giants (48-48) pitched an eight inning complete game surrendering just three hits and no runs and striking out seven.

Diamondbacks catcher Carson Kelly hit two doubles to contribute to the 7-0 victory with the win the Diamondbacks have now won three out of their last four games since the All Star break. The Giants lost six of their last ten games.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo was pleased with just how the game went in general “Just a really good, clean game,” Lovullo said. “I just want to emphasize that when we do things right, it looks very good. I want us to keep working hard every single day so we have more days like this.”

Lovullo was impressed with Kelly’s stuff and left him in to complete the game, “But it was all about Merrill today.” The Giants just haven’t been able to put things together lately on offensive and that gave Kelly an advantage setting down the first 15 batters in row that he faced.

Then in the top of the sixth the Giants Luis Gonzalez hit a ball that stayed inside the first base line and was out of the reach of D-Backs first baseman Christian Walker for a double. Kelly talked about his performance saying that he had good command of his fastball and had a good change up going and he was getting his curveballs to go where he wanted them and gave credit to his catcher Carson.

The Giants will go back to the drawing board to face the Diamondbacks again Tuesday night at Chase Field with Giants starter Carlos Rodon (8-5, 2.95) for the Diamondbacks Tyler Gilbert (0-3, 5.34) a 6:40 pm PDT first pitch at Chase Field.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Giants can’t stop Dodgers hitting in 7-4 loss; SF is swept in 4 in LA

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The Los Angeles Dodgers Gavin Lux slides in safely ahead of the throw as the San Francisco Giants catcher Joey Bart waits for the ball in the bottom of the third inning at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles (AP News photo)

On the Giants podcast with Marko:

#1 Golden State Warrior Klay Thompson brother’s Trayce Thompson of the Los Angeles Dodgers (64-30) got two RBIs to help the Dodgers pass up the San Francisco Giants (48-47) in the seventh inning for a 7-3 win at Dodgers Stadium for a four game sweep.

#2 Trayce who hit a two RBI single that thrilled his brother Klay who was watching from the stands. It’s not everyday that Klay gets to have a thrill like that.

#3 Dodgers clean up hitter Jack Lamb contributed with a tie breaking RBI in the bottom of the third with a double to help the Dodgers win their 24th game out of their last 29.

#4 For Cobb he got tattooed for eight hits, four earned runs, two walks, and six strikeouts Cobb said “Probably as frustrating as it gets” with the loss the Giants are now just a game above .500.

#5 The Giants will try and get back in the win column as they face the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix. The Giants will start Jakob Junis (4-1, 3.06) and the Diamondbacks will start Tyler Gilbert (0-3, 5.34) a 6:40 pm PDT first pitch.

Marko Ukalovic is filling in for Morris Phillips who does the Giants podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Dodgers Sweep Giants In Four Game Series 7-4

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Los Angeles Dodgers Max Muncy swings for a bottom of the third inning double off San Francisco Giant pitcher Alex Cobb, the catcher is Joey Bart and plate umpire is Malachi Moore at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles on Sun Jul 24, 2022 (AP News photo)

Dodgers Sweep Giants In Four Game Series 7-4

By Barbara Mason

Sunday afternoon the San Francisco Giants (48-47) were trying to avoid a sweep by the Los Angeles Dodgers (64-30) in game four of their series down at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers have dominated this series and lead San Francisco by 15.5 games in the NL West. Right now the Dodgers have a strangle hold on the NL West and show no signs of letting up any time soon.

The Giants had to contend with Clayton Kershaw who very nearly threw a perfect game against the Angels a little over a week ago. Alex Cobb was on the mound for the Giants. The Dodgers with a 7-4 victory took a four game series from San Francisco and have won six of their last nine head-to-head games this season.

Sunday game wrap: Mookie Betts got the game going for the Dodgers. He singled and scored off a Freddie Freeman single to take the early 1-0 lead. The Giants would load the bases in the second inning but come away empty.

The third inning was a good one for the Giants scoring a couple of runs and taking a 2-1 lead. Thairo Estrada singled and Darin Ruf and Yermin Mercedes both scored.

The Giants lead was short-lived. The Dodgers Jake Lamb would score off a Gavin Lux single to tie up the game. Max Muncy doubled driving Lux in and a Trayce Thompson single drove in Muncy and the Dodgers had taken a 4-2 lead after three innings.

San Francisco would tie up the game 4-4 in the fifth inning. Darin Ruf hit a home run and Wilmer Flores scored. It was a brand new ball game.

The seventh inning was all Dodgers. They would take a 7-4 lead. Lamb doubled, Lux singled and Thompson doubled for that lead. Los Angeles would hang on, the final 7-4.

San Francisco had 7 hits in this game but could not overcome the Los Angeles offense. The Dodgers had 12 hits in this game.

Monday night the Giants will travel to Arizona to take on the Diamondbacks. They will try to get back on track after a disappointing series in Los Angeles. Jakob Junis will be on the mound for San Francisco. He has a 4-1 record with a 3.06 ERA. Arizona will send Tyler Gilbert with a 0-3 win loss record and ERA 5.34. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 PM PT.

Dodgers Dominate In Series – Winning Third Game In a Row Over Giants 4-2; LA’s Betts connects for 200th career homer

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Los Angeles Dodgers Mookie Betts shares his excitement after belting a solo home run his 200th career round tripper in the bottom of the third inning against the San Francisco Giants at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles (AP News photo)

Dodgers Dominate In Series – Winning Third Game In a Row Over Giants 4-2

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (48-46) have endured a disappointing series against the rival Los Angeles Dodgers (63-30) dropping their third game of the four game set on Saturday 4-2 at Dodgers Stadium. Thursday night the Dodgers prevailed 9-6 followed by a 5-1 win Friday night. Saturday afternoon the Giants were looking to turn things around in game three of their four game series.

It sure did not go as planned for San Francisco. The Dodgers were first up on the scoreboard with back to back solo homers from Mookie Betts and Trea Turner for a 2-0 lead in the third inning. In the sixth inning Gavin Lux tripled driving in Cody Bellinger giving the Dodgers a 3-0 lead.

Julio Urias got through six innings allowing five hits with five strikeouts. He was relieved by Caleb Ferguson. The Giants Alex Wood went four innings with six strikeouts but it was the two homers in the third inning that really hurt San Francisco.

The Dodgers kept their foot on the pedal and in the seventh inning extended their lead 4-0 when Freddie Freeman hit a solo home run. So far it was total domination by the Dodgers. The Giants just could not handle the Los Angeles bullpen.

In the ninth inning the Giants came to life with their first run of the game. Thairo Estrada scored off a Luis Gonzalez single. San Francisco was not finished. A Joey Bart single drove Yermin Mercedes home and with Gonzalez and Bart on base the Giants had the go ahead run at the plate. Closer David Price took care of Austin Slater who struck out looking and that was the ball game.

Notes: In a court filing against Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Trevor Bauer who was accused of beating and sexually abusing a San Diego woman. Bauer has denied the allegations saying they are, “false, fabricated, or bogus.”

Bauer has also denied the charges and is suing the woman for defamation saying she lied regarding their sexual relationship with the intent of ruining his baseball career. After Bauer filed the defamation suit in April Major League Baseball suspended Bauer for two years. Photos of the woman shows her with two black eyes and a bruised face. Bauer said that the tryst was consensual the woman’s lawyer Bryan Freedman said “absolutely no one can consent to this logically or legally.”

The woman responded to Bauer’s claims that she lied saying that she did not make a “false, misleading or defamatory police report” the response was made through the US District Court of Santa Ana. Bauer said that she altered or filtered photos of a restraining order request in June 2021 which the woman denies doing.

Tomorrow the Giants will finish this series hoping for at least one win in this four game series. Los Angeles will be gunning for a sweep. Alex Cobb will take the mound for the Giants with a 3-4 record and an ERA of 4.09. The Dodgers will send veteran Clayton Kershaw (7-2, 2.13) to close out this series. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 PM PT.

Bellinger’s grand slam propels Dodgers to a 5-1 win over the Giants

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The Los Angeles Dodgers Cody Bellinger watches the flight of his bottom of eighth inning grand slam home run at Dodgers Stadium against the San Francisco Giants on Fri Jul 22, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The San Francisco Giants hoped to get a win over the LA Dodgers Friday night in the second game of the four-game series. The Giants sent their ace, Logan Webb, to the hill. The Dodgers countered with lefty Tyler Anderson.

Anderson is 10-1 and has an ERA of 2.91. The 32-year-old left made the National League All-Star team due to his outstanding work in the year’s first half. Both pitchers performed well. Each went six innings and allowed just one run. Cody Bellinger hit a grand slam in the bottom of the eighth to send LA to a 5-1 win over the Giants.

The Dodgers drew first blood in the bottom of the first inning. Leadoff hitter Mookie Betts singled to get things going for LA. Webb retired the next two hitters. It was at this point that Webb could not find the strike zone. He walked Will Smith, Max Muncy, and Gavin Lux. Betts scored the Dodgers’ first run. 

Tyler Anderson was on top of his game for the first three innings of the game. He allowed the Giants just one hit. The Giants tied the game in the top of the fourth when they scored an unearned run. With one out, Evan Longoria singled to get things going for SF.

Thairo Estrada reached on an infield single. Dodgers’ third baseman Max Muncy’s throw to first got by first baseman Freddie Freeman. Longoria advanced to third on the error. Yermin Mercedes singled to drive in Longoria with the tying run. 

The score remained tied until the eighth inning. The Giants got a man into scoring position in the top of the eighth but failed to score. Giants’ manager Gabe Kapler brought in Lefty Sam Long to pitch. Long gave up a single to Freddie Freeman.

Freeman went to second on a wild pitch. Long retired Will Smith for the first out. Lamont Wade, who pinch-hit for Darren Ruf in the eighth, made a fielding error on Muncy’s sharp ground ball. Freeman went to third on the play.

Long struck out Lux for the second out. If Long could retire Jake Lamb, things might have turned out differently for the Giants. Long hit Lamb on his wrist to load the bases. Long had to face Cody Bellinger. Bellinger, a former National League MVP, hit a grand slam to put the Dodgers in the drivers’ seat. LA led 5-1 after eight.

The Dodgers brought in Craik Kimbrel to close out the game. Estrada singled. Kimbrel retired Mercedes for the first out. Luis Gonzalez, pinch-hitting for Joey Bart, doubled. Kimbrel then retired the next two hitters to secure the win for the Dodgers. 

Game Notes: With the loss, the Giants are 48-45. The Dodgers are 61-30.

The line score for the Giants was one run, seven hits, and two errors. The Dodgers’ line was five runs, eight hits, and one error.

The teams meet again on Saturday. Alex Wood (6-7, 4.20) will pitch for the Giants, and lefty Julio Urias (8-6, 2.89) goes for the Dodgers. The game will start at 4:15 pm.

Giants Sign Rosenthal, Then See Bullpen Implode in LA: Dodgers capture second-half opener, 9-6

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By Morris Phillips

The Giants’ eighth inning lead over the Dodgers on Thursday night seemed like an incredible accomplishment. It was, but it didn’t last long.

After trailing 5-0, the Giants rallied to lead 6-5 in the eighth, with Darin Ruf’s grand slam as the centerpiece of their awakening. But the Dodgers felt a nudge as well: they answered with Trayce Thompson’s RBI triple, then Mookie Betts’ dramatic, three-run shot to take the lead.

Dominic Leone opened the inning by striking out Jake Lamb, but Gavin Lux battled through a two-strike situation with a double. Max Muncy’s ground out advanced Lux to third, which gave Thompson, brother of the Warriors’ Klay, a big spot and he delivered with the game-tying triple.

In what was clearly not a strategic move, Jarlin Garcia came on to face Cody Bellinger, hitting just .208 and still not removed from his struggles of the last two seasons. But in a left-on-left matchup, Garcia unintentionally delivered four, consecutive balls, and that brought Betts up with two on in a big spot.

Betts delivered with the home run into the left field bleachers on the third pitch of the at-bat, and not only was the Giants’ gutty comeback wiped out, the game was essentially lost.

The irony of it all? The Giants’ bullpen is in a state of upheaval, witnessed by Jake McGee’s release, Mauricio Llovera’s emergence and subsequent injury, and now the signing of veteran closer Trevor Rosenthal. The 32-year old right hander represents a world of potential, but he’s thrown just 40 innings over the last five seasons as injuries have consumed his career. In fact, last season as the member of the A’s, Rosenthal didn’t pitch at all as thoracic outlet syndrome cancelled his stint with the A’s, who were on the hook for the closer’s one-year, $11 million deal.

The Giants have been encouraged by Rosenthal’s workouts over the last month and moved to sign him to a $4.5 million deal for the rest of the season, which won’t commence until Rosenthal ramps up his workouts and heals his hamstring. Despite all the questions, the Giants and manager Gabe Kapler stand bullish.

“Obviously, it’s been some time and hasn’t been on the mound in a while,” Kapler said. “But the talent hasn’t gone anywhere. It’s an electric arm. Physical, strong body. Lot of potential to really make an impact for us in the second half.” 

It’s clear the Giants had to do something, they’re 13 and a half games behind the Dodgers after Thursday’s loss, and they possess the eighth-best record in the NL, but are only a game-and-a-half from moving into the fifth spot. From a strategic standpoint, the Giants stood pat on Thursday witht their platoon-heavy lineup featuring Lamonte Wade Jr. in the leadoff spot again despite his sub-.200 batting average. Carlos Rodon, who was held off the All-Star roster with this start against the Dodgers as the reason, was rocked, allowing five runs on six hits in his five innings.

Freddie Freeman hit a solo shot off Rodon in the first. Justin Turner knocked in a pair with a double in the third, and Hanser Alberto followed that with an RBI double of his own. After just three innings, the Giants trailed 5-0.

The Giants appeared to get a break with Mitch White drawing the start for the Dodgers. The spot starter was preferred over Julio Urias, and Tony Gonsolin and Clayton Kershaw pitched in the All-Star Game on Tuesday. But White was fantastic, allowing one hit in five innings.

An opening was forged in the seventh when Evan Longoria homered, and Ruf hit his slam. Ruf pinch hit for Wade in the sixth, and his second at-bat became the occasion of his first-ever big league grand slam. Phil Bickford allowed Longoria’s blow and Alex Vesia was the pitcher who empowered Ruf. Those two relievers, who were tabbed when manager Dave Roberts had better options, were all the vulnerability the hosts were willing to show on Thursday.

Evan Phillips, the former Oriole, followed with his 1.70 ERA in 37 appearances, giving the veteran the best season to date of his six-year career. But he too struggled, walking Thairo Estrada with the bases loaded to give the Giants’ their short-lived lead. Phillips also walked Wilmer Flores who led off the inning, and Luis Gonzalez intentionally to load the bases and take his chances with Estrada.

One of the Giants’ ongoing issues is their inability to dial up strikeouts from their bullpen. Rodon, even with his obvious failures on Thursday, struck out seven. But after he departed four Giants’ relievers registered just two strikeouts, which enhanced the hosts ability to rally and prevail.

The two teams meet again on Friday with Logan Webb facing Tyler Anderson, the former Colorado Rockie who’s been energized with his move to Los Angeles. Anderson has a 10-1 record and a 2.96 ERA.

San Francisco Giants podast with Marko Ukaloic: Giants need to shore up defense and bullpen needs to shut it down in second half

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Brandon Belt San Francisco Giants first baseman is expected to help lead the way for the second half of the season (mercurynews.com file photo)

On the Giaints podcast with Marko:

#1 Going into the second half of the season how important is accomplished players like Brandon Belt and Brandon Crawford.

#2 Also taking a look at the second half with infielders Marco Luciano and Thairo Estrada they’ve been a big help and manager Gabe Kapler can insert them in the line up at anytime.

#3 Evan Longoria has entertained the possibility of retiring at the end of this season playing away from his family who live in Arizona could this be his last season?

#4 Carlos Rodon who starts tonight for the Giants at Dodgers Stadium after resting in LA during the All Star Game had a great first half and is looking forward to the second half.

#5 Marko for the second half the Giants have some talent in their bullpen but can they keep it together in the middle and late innings with pitchers like Dom Leone, John Brebbia, Jarlin Garcia, Tyler Rogers, Camilo Doval and Trevor Rosenthal.

Marko filled in for Daniel Dullum for the Giants podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Pederson says it would take whole team to get Juan Soto; Pablo Panda says he regrets Sox deal in 2014

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San Francisco Giants All Star representative Joc Pederson (23) is stunned after striking out against Oakland A’s representative pitcher Paul Blackburn at the 2022 All Star Game at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles on Tue Jul 19, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 During the All Star break Joc Pederson was commenting that it would take the whole team including key players Mike Yastrzemski, Logan Webb, and Joey Bart to get a player like Juan Soto. Is Soto’s value on a different universe?

#2 It’s pretty rare that players comment on trades, trade rumors or players who would be in a deal. Michael you’ve heard outfielder Joc Pederson during interviews in the first half of the season he’s pretty outspoken.

#3 Michael former Giant Pablo Sandoval said he should have remained a Giant instead of leaving the team in 2014 to join the Boston Red Sox for a five year $90 million contract. Pablo said he should have stayed and that he learned his lession.

#4 San Francisco Giants team president of operations Farhan Zaidi is going to look at getting some younger players through free agency who are more athletic can what players do you see him achieving that through getting draft pick or prospects by trade deadline moves?

#5 The Giants open a four game in Los Angeles against the Dodgers tonight. The Giants will start Carlos Rodon (8-5, 2.66) for the Dodgers Mitch White (1-2, 4.20) a 7:09 pm PDT first pitch. Rodon didn’t pitch in the All Star Game to get some extra rest how wise of a move was that and it also gets him the opportunity to open the series tonight?

Join Michael Duca for the Giants podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Back-To-Back Spectacular: Buxton, Stanton light up the sky and power AL to ninth straight All-Star win

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By Morris Phillips

LOS ANGELES–The National League started fast, and finished smoothly, but that fourth inning was all the destruction needed to end their aspirations.

Giancarlo Stanton and Byron Buxton hit mammoth, back-to-back shots that gave the American League the lead, and they made it stand up, shutting out the host NL team for the game’s final eight innings in a 3-2 win. The first All-Star game at picturesque Dodger Stadium in 42 seasons was over-the-top and full of explosions, but in the end, the American League pitchers shut the door.

Stanton had never experienced a hit in his previous All-Star Game appearances, going 0 for 6. Given that, the response was loud and clear, a two-run shot scoring Cleveland’s Jose Ramirez that traveled 457-feet, longer than any home run hit at Dodger Stadium thus far this season.

“That’s probably one of the hardest balls I’ve seen hit from the on-deck circle,” Buxton said. “I don’t even know if you can put it in words how hard he hit the baseball. So for me to see him in person, be on the same team, finally be up close, it was like, ‘Wow.’ You know, like, I literally sat down.”

Buxton sat down, but immediately got up and did the same thing Stanton did. Again facing the Dodgers’ Tony Gonsolin, Buxton sent a line drive down the left field line that measured 425-feet.

Eight AL relievers followed, none more impressive than Cleveland’s Emmanuel Clase who struck out the final three hitters of the ballgame on 10 pitches. Houston’s Framber Valdez pitched a scoreless third inning and earned the win. And Stanton was named the game’s MVP, a nice addition to his award’s shelf that also includes a Home Run Derby win.

The AL pitching staff retired 20 NL hitters in succession at one point, only the fourth time that many consecutive batters have been retired in All-Star competition.

The local stars both got All-Star moments with the Giants’ Joc Pederson getting two at-bats, striking out twice, in his return to Dodger Stadium. The A’s Paul Blackburn pitched a scoreless, fourth inning earning a hold.

Shohei Ohtani, the game’s singular two-way star earned his moment with a leadoff single as the game’s first batter. But Ohtani then got caught sleeping by the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw, who picked off Ohtani creeping away from first base.

Alex Manoah, a rising pitching star for Toronto, struck out the side in the second inning while keeping a running commentary on the mound as he was mic’d up for Fox Sports.

Mookie Betts had a first inning RBI for the NL, and Paul Goldschmidt homered in the first after Manny Machado hit into a double play, which could have short circuited a bigger inning for the hosts.

Albert Pujols and Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera each got pinch-hit at-bats without success, although Pujols sent a drive to the warning track that was caught. Pujols and Cabrera were commissioner’s picks as outgoing All-Stars.

Next year’s All-Star Game will be held in Seattle, which means more late afternoon shadows and likely another low-scoring game. Mariners’ Julio Rodriguez will be under hometown pressure to repeat his outstanding performance in the Home Run Derby.

Soto Doesn’t Turn Down Home Run Crown: Nationals’ slugger wins Derby over impressive Rodriguez

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Winner of the 2022 Home Run Derby before the All Star Game at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles the Washington Nationals Juan Soto is shown taking a hack during the contest on Mon Jul 18, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Morris Phillips

LOS ANGELES–These days with baseball sluggers more capable, and itching to show their wares, you’ve got to do a little more to win the T-Mobile Home Run Derby.

Just ask Julio Rodriguez. The Mariners’ 21-year old, breakout star hit 81 homers, knocked off the two-time defending champion Pete Alonso, and still came up short–by one home run–as Washington’s Juan Soto captured the title at Dodger Stadium on Monday night.

The 23-year old Soto vowed he would win it, but he would have been surprised to know that he would have to get past fellow Dominicans Rodriguez and Albert Pujols to do it. Both Rodriguez and Pujols were surprise advancers as sluggers Kyle Schwarber and Corey Seager both took early exits.

Rodriguez started the competition with 32 homers against Seager, as he took advantage of not only his power but the positioning of the sun and shadows to start the event. He then came back and eliminated Alonso with 31 homers, as the defending champ could never seem to string together big flies and gather momentum. Alonso was eliminated with just 23 homers despite earning the full minute of bonus slugging.

Meanwhile, Soto gained momentum as the event progressed, first knocking off the Guardians’ Jose Ramirez, then taking down Pujols, who was the surprise, first round winner over Schwarber. By the third round, and Soto’s third as the finishing competitor already knowing what his opponent had done. Against Rodriguez, Soto patiently pursued the younger sluggers’ 18 blasts, and then made up the final four home runs needed in his bonus minute.

“It feels amazing. It feels tiring. I just tried to concentrate to square off the balls because I know I have the power,” Soto said.

Speculation is that Soto will be traded after turning down the Nationals’ offer of $440 million dollars over 13 seasons. That move, which will likely involve a bid or inquiry from the Giants, could happen in the coming weeks.

“Right now I’m not even thinking about it. I’m a champion, and I will be a champion for the Nationals,” he said.