Category: San Francisco Giants

Giants Trade Duggar and Lose: 4-3 loss in Atlanta ends a rough trip for SF

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By Morris Phillips

Steven Duggar was traded, Alex Wood was upset and manager Gabe Kapler was a bit exasperated. That was the Giants’ Thursday, not exactly a feel-good getaway day in hot, suburban Atlanta.

The Giants got little uplift from Wood, who started and fell behind 5-1 in the second inning when he was removed for reliever Zach Littell. A four-pronged rally that started in the fifth merely brought the Giants close in a tough, 7-6 loss.

“These guys have been grinding,” Wood said. “We’ve had a brutal travel schedule and these guys have been playing their butts off and for me to go out there and do that is really deflating.”

The Giants finished 3-4 on their two-city trip, and lost three games to the Braves, each by one run. They open a weekend set at Oracle Park on Friday with the Reds.

Darby Swanson homered in the first and fourth innings, a continuation of his hot streak now a month in the making. Swanson homered on Wednesday as well, part of a .385 hitting stretch over the last 30 games.

“It’s not surprising to see what he’s been doing,” starting pitcher Kyle Wright said of Swanson. “He’s very strong mentally, physically. He does all the things to put himself in a great position to be successful, and he’s reaping the benefits.”

Wright pitched into the sixth inning despite giving up ten hits and four runs. That was good enough to win it on a day the Giants failed in eight opportunities with runners in scoring position, along with hitting into four double plays.

“The tying run came to the plate. It felt like we did everything we could to stay in that game,” Kapler said. “I feel like we had some good at-bats today and kept fighting back all the way through the end of the game. I feel like that’s a moment to be proud of the club for not laying down.”

The 2 through 5 hitters for the Giants combined for eight hits–two hits from each guy–and only one RBI. That’s hard to do, but again only one of the hits was timely, and the double plays wiped out a couple scoring chances too.

Before the game, the Giants traded Steven Duggar to Texas for speedy, 27-year old outfielder Willie Calhoun, who has friendly minor league options and a different, offensive approach. Duggar had been with San Francisco’s organization since 2015, when he was a sixth round draft pick. The deal also clears the needed space for Luis Gonzales, who has been a breakout performer for the Giants in Duggar’s absence. Gonzales experienced back tightness and missed the concluded Braves’ series.

Cincinnati’s Graham Ashcraft and Alex Cobb are the announced starters for Friday night’s series opener at 7:05pm.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Braves edge Giants 7-6; Atlanta’s Swanson goes yard twice

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The Atlanta Braves Dansby Swanson is thrilled after belting the first of two home runs in the first inning against San Francisco Giant pitcher Alex Wood at Truist Field in Atlanta on Thu Jun 23, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 The Atlanta Braves (41-30) Dansby Swanson hit two home runs on Thursday against the San Francisco Giants (38-31) to help pace the Braves past the Giants 7-6 at Truist Field in Atlanta. Swanson is a dangerous hitter he also scored twice and had two hits in Wednesday night’s game.

#2 The Braves have been all about Hotlanta they have now won 18 of their last 21 games and are just four games behind the New York Mets in the NL East.

#3 Swanson who hit homers in the first and fourth innings has now seven multi homer career games and the last time he did it was on Aug 14, 2021.

#4 The Braves didn’t waste anytime getting on the scoreboard scoring five runs in the bottom of the second Travis d’Arnaud contributed with with a two run single in the rally.

#5 The Giants return to open a homestand at Oracle Park on Friday night against the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds will be going with Graham Ashcraft (3-1, 3.51) he’ll be matched up against the Giants Alex Cobb (3-2, 5.62) a 7:15pm PDT first pitch.

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

Bullpen Blues: Relief effort spoils another strong outing by Rodon in 4-3 Giants loss to the Braves

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By Morris Phillips

Nothing typifies the Giants these days like a close game. They play a lot of them–36 of 68 so far this season–and they’re used to being in close games, winning close games.

Just hasn’t quite been their thing yet this season, and definitely not on this road trip. The Giants fell to 17-19 in games decided by two runs or less on Wednesday, allowing a three-run, bottom of the ninth rally by the host Braves in a 4-3 loss.

Jake McGee was given an opportunity to reignite his closer duties, and he belied his recent successes and got hit hard. The 35-year old gave up a leadoff home run to Darby Swanson, two more hits and was relieved by Trevor Rogers who allowed the game-winning base hit to Adam Duvall. Camilio Doval wasn’t available, he pitched in nine of the previous 12 games and was given a night to rest.

“We want to win every game, but at the end of the day, these are going to happen,” said McGee, who hadn’t allowed a run since May 10, a stretch of 10 appearances. “That’s why they’ve been really hot lately and they’ve been swinging the bat well. So you’ve just got to tip your cap sometimes.”

The Giants also tipped their cap on Monday when Camilo Doval failed to get through the ninth in a 2-1 loss. Last season’s 107-win campaign included a 31-17 record in one-run games, and the Giants locked in big moments offensively. This year, the record in two-run games is another reminder that the team’s offense has struggled. The bullpen–in spots–as well. But the subject arises in a series–not yet completed–where a team’s two best starters sprinkle magic dust for seven innings, only to see their work squandered in the game’s final inning.

“I’m not one to say one loss was better or worse than others. It’s just not my style,” said Kapler, who just doesn’t show raw emotion in postgame pressers.

Rodon was on point, capping a three-start stretch in which he allowed one run in 21 innings. He struck out 10, and walked one in his first appearance against the Braves. Matt Olson’s seventh inning, RBI double broke up Rodon’s scoreless stretch.

Darin Ruf and Mike Yastrzemski homered to back Rodon, and Tommy LaStella’s RBI single in the ninth provided insurance, giving the Giants a 3-1 lead.

And the news wasn’t bad off the diamond, as Brandon Crawford found out he suffered no structural damage to his knee, and he’s a candidate to start Thursday’s series finale.

Luis Gonzales would have been a viable, pinch-hit option on Wednesday after being declared out with back tightness, but that wasn’t all that he needed. The Braves followed right-handed starter Charlie Morton with two left-handed relievers, leaving Kapler with better options. Kapler said Gonzales should be okay, his back issues are considered serious.

Alex Wood and Atlanta’s Kyle Wright are the announced starters for the series finale at 12:20pm EST.

Giants take 12-10 slugfest from Braves

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San Francisco Giants catcher Austin Wynns (right) gets congratulations from Tommy La Stella after he hit a three run home run off Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider to take a 4-0 lead in the top second inning at Truist Park in Cobb County on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, in Atlanta. 

By Daniel Dullum

Tuesday, June 21, 2022

The tone for this game was established early, when neither starter for San Francisco or Atlanta made it past the fourth inning. After the fireworks subsided, the Giants wound up with a 10-8 win at Truist Park.

San Francisco starter Anthony DeSciafani was rocked for five runs in three innings, while Braves starter Spencer Strider surrendered six runs in 3 2/3 innings before getting yanked. The Giants eventually came up with three runs in the ninth to hold off Atlanta in the 3-hour, 28-minute contest.

The Giants went ahead to stay at 8-7 in the top of the sixth, when Mike Yastrzemski doubled to right off Collin McHugh, driving in Wilmer Flores and Austin Wynns. The runs were charged to Darren O’Day (), who gave up singles to Flores and Wynns and walked Luis Gonzalez to load the bases. 

Atlanta enjoyed its last lead of the game when Ronald Acuna Jr. hit a 422-foot, two-run home run to left in the bottom of the fourth off Zack LIttell.

Joc Pederson’s 15th home run of the season, a solo shot to right-center in the top of the seventh gave San Francisco a 9-7 cushion. But in the bottom of the seventh, Matt Olson reached on a Thairo Estrada fielding error, allowing Acuna to score. Acuna had singled and advanced to third on a passed ball.

In the top of the ninth, an RBI single by Estrada and a two-run single by Flores put the Giants up 12-8. The Braves weren’t finished quite yet, however, when Olson hit his second home run of the game, a two-run blast to deep right off Giants closer Camilo Doval, pulling the Braves to within 12-10.

Doval retired Travis d’Arnaud on a fly out to left and struck out Marcell Ozuna to end the game.

Tyler Rogers (1-3), the third of seven Giants pitchers, threw two scoreless innings to get the win. John Brebbia, McGee and Dominic Leone each was credited with a hold.

The Giants scored four runs on three hits in the top of the second – Brandon Crawford’s sacrifice fly preceded a three-run home run by Wynns. In the top of the fourth, Wynns had an RBI double, preceding a sacrifice fly by Gonzalez.

Carlos Rodon (6-4, 2.84) starts Wednesday’s game for the Giants. Charlie Morton (4-3, 5.08) is on the mound for Atlanta.

Tense, Tight: Giants-Braves opener has playoff feel, Arcia propels Atlanta to a 2-1 win

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By Morris Phillips

Supposedly there have been a bunch of lopsided results between the Giants and Braves over the last ten seasons, just not one on Monday night.

The opener of the four-game series at Truist Park was a pitcher’s duel with the Braves sneaking past the Giants with Orlando Arcia’s game-winning RBI single in the ninth. Max Fried and Logan Webb were brilliant, allowing just one run each, but neither was around when Arcia’s hard-hit, ground ball to the left side of the infield saw daylight.

The Giants had a pair of opportunities late to knock in a go-ahead run with a runner at third and just one out, but failed both times. Wilmer Flores struck out with the bases loaded in the eighth, and Thairo Estrada struck out facing Kenley Jansen in the ninth with runners at second and third.

With less than 70 games played this season, the Giants and Braves have already eyeballed each other with both trying to at least take advantage of the new postseason format and finish with the best record among non-division winners and gain homefield advantage in the opening round. Currently, both teams are looking up at the first place teams in their division, the Mets in the NL East and the Dodgers in the West.

Camilo Doval walked Matt Olson to leadoff the ninth on four pitches. The only free pass issued by the Giants all evening would be their undoing Marcell Ozuna singled to move Olson up, ahead of Arcia’s base hit with two outs.

Fried went seven innings, striking out eight and walking two. He was saddled with a no-decision when the Giants pushed a run across in the eighth. Fried has yet to lose to the Giants after five starts and one relief appearance.

Webb also pitched seven innings and allowed a run, while striking out seven and walking none. Travis D’Arnaud’s second inning homer was the only blemish for Webb, who has allowed six home runs this season–all on the road.

Joc Pederson received his World Series ring before the game, he was a late season acquisition by the Braves last year that contributed to their run to the title despite getting limited at-bats in the World Series. Pederson, Brandon Belt and Brandon Crawford were all absent from the Giants’ starting lineup, but all three got pinch-hitting assignments.

The Giants will activate Anthony DeSclafani for a start in Tuesday’s game, his first action since being injured in April. Spencer Strider will get the start for the Braves, who have won 16 of 18.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Bucs Suwinski was one man show in 4-3 win over Giants; SF opens 3 game series in Hotlanta tonight

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Pittsburgh Pirates Jack Suwinski gets mobbed by teammates after hitting a walk off home run in the bottom of the ninth at PNC Park on Sun Jun 19, 2022

On the Giants podcast with Marko for Morris:

#1 The Pittsburgh Pirates Jack Suwinski teed off on San Francisco Giants pitching on Sunday with three home runs fourth, sixth and ninth innings.

#2 Suwinski hit home runs off Giants pitchers Alex Cobb in the fourth, Sam Long in the sixth, and hit a slider off Tyler Rogers in the bottom of the ninth for the game winner.

#3 Suwinski a Pirate rookie is the first rookie to hit three home runs since former Pirate and former Giant Andrew McCutchen did it on Aug 1, 2009 as a Pirate.

#4 The Giants fell short after Thairo Estrada started off the top of the ninth inning with a home run off Pirates reliever David Bendar.

#5 The Giants are in Atlanta starting tonight in Cobb County. The Giants will go with Logan Webb (6-2, 3.43) for the Braves Max Fried (7-9, ERA 2.90) a 4:20 pm PDT.

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

Three Suwinski Home Runs Beat Giants 4-3

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Three Suwinski Home Runs Beat Giants 4-3

The Pittsburgh Pirates Jack Suwinski hits his third home run of the day in the bottom of the ninth a walk off to defeat the San Francisco Giants at PNC Park on Sun Jun 19, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Sunday afternoon the San Francisco Giants (37-28) took on the Pittsburg Pirates (26-39) in the final game of their three-game series looking for a sweep. The Giants won a close game Saturday 7-5 turning in ten hits. They were looking for another big offensive day in Sunday’s game but the Pirates got enough pitching and hitting to edge the Giants 4-3 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

The Giants got a nice start in the first inning scoring two runs and taking the early 2-0 lead. Joc Pederson hit a single that drove Luis Gonzalez and Mike Yastrzemski home.

The Pirates got up on the board in the third and fourth innings with solo home runs. Hoy Park hit one to right in the third inning and Jack Suwinski had another in the fourth inning to knot the game 2-2.

Pittsburg would break the tie in the sixth inning when Suwinski hit his second solo home run of the game to give the Pirates the lead 3-2.

San Francisco would tie up the game in the ninth inning off a Thairo Estrada solo home run. Going into the bottom of the inning the score was 3-3. It was a monster day for Pittsburg’s Suwinski hitting his third homer of the day and giving the Pirates the walk off 4-3 and avoiding the sweep.

Monday evening the Giants start a four game series with the Atlanta Braves in Cobb County. Logan Webb (6-2, 3.43 ERA) will be on the mound in game one for San Francisco. The Braves will start Max Fried (7-2, 2.90 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 4:20.

Giants win second game in series over Pirates 7-5

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San Francisco Giants’ Austin Slater, right, celebrates with Wilmer Flores (41) after hitting a solo home run off Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jose Quintana during the fifth inning at PNC Park Pittsburgh on Sat Jun 18, 2022 (AP News photo)

Giants Win Second Game In Series Over Pirates 7-5

By Barbara Mason

Saturday afternoon the San Francisco Giants (37-27) took on the Pittsburg Pirates (25-39) in game two of their series. Friday the Giants got the win 2-0 to open the three game series. The Giants continued winning 7-5 on Saturday at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

Wilmer Flores got the Giants going in the first inning with a home run to left for the early lead 1-0. The Pirates would answer with a Diego Castillo sacrifice that would drive Ke’Bryan Hayes home to tie up the game 1-1.

In the third inning Darin Ruf singled driving in Curt Casali for a short-lived lead 2-1. The Pirates scored four runs off a Diego Castillo home run driving in Hayes and Michael Chavis taking back the lead 4-2.

The Giants scored in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. Austin Slater hit a solo home run in the fifth inning narrowing the Pirate lead to 4-3. Brandon Crawford singled in the sixth inning driving in Thairo Estrada tying up the game 4-4. San Francisco was not finished. Joc Pederson scored when Mike Yastrzemski hit a sacrifice fly giving San Francisco back the lead 5-4.

The Giants would get an insurance run in the seventh inning. Luis Gonzalez doubled driving in Joc Pederson for a 6-4 lead.

A solo home run in the eighth inning from Daniel Vogelbach cut the Giants lead to 6-5. The Pirates had a great opportunity in the inning when they loaded the bases with two outs but were unable to cash in and it was on to the ninth inning.

The Giants would put another insurance run up on the board that would solidify the win and with their second win guaranteed taking this series.

San Francisco will finish this series tomorrow with a 10:35 start. Alex Cobb will start for the Giants and Mitch Keller will take the mound for the Pirates.

Rodón shines in Giants 2-0 shutout win over Pirates

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San Francisco Giants starter Carlos Rodon throws against the Pittsburgh Pirates line up in the bottom of the fourth inning at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Fri Jun 17, 2022 to open the three game series (AP News photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

PITTSBURGH — Carlos Rodón pitched a two-hitter over eight innings in a brilliant performance as the San Francisco Giants shut out the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-0 on Friday evening at PNC Park.

San Francisco has won six out of its last seven games and gained a game in the NL West standings as both the San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers suffered lost on Friday.

Rodón had eight strike outs and just two walks on just 98 pitches in his dominating eight inning mastery over an anemic Pirates lineup that was never had a runner get past second base. He lowered his ERA to 2.84.

For Rodón, he has now won back-to-back starts after being winless in his previous five starts (including three losses) and improved to 6-4 on the season. Keeping the Pirates lineup off balanced for most of the night, Rodón no hit Pittsburgh for the first four and two-thirds innings before giving up a single to Jack Suwinski with two outs in the fifth inning.

“I’ve been building off that inning,” Rodón said. “Week to week I’m still working on stuff, just refining and getting a little more crisp with my fastball-slider. … Just a couple things that (pitching coaches J.P. Martinez and Andrew Bailey) looked into. It’s got me in the right spot.”

The Giants offense wasn’t that much better as they scored both runs off of solo homers. Luis Gonzales opened the game with a leadoff home run, his third of the season, that went over the bleachers in right field off of Pirates starting pitcher Zach Thompson.

Joc Pederson hit a bomb that traveled 413 feet into the right fielder bleachers for his team leading 14th home run of the season off of Thompson in the fourth inning to conclude the scoring on the night.

“As crazy as it sounds,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said, “When he’s striking everybody out but running really deep counts and (getting) a ton of foul balls, it’s gonna be more difficult for him to get through eight innings like he did today.”

Thompson finished the evening going four and one-third innings with two earned runs on four hits, striking out two while walking five Giants hitters and is now 3-5 on the season.

Camilo Doval pitched a perfect ninth to earn his 10th save of the season.

GAME NOTES: San Francisco left five men on the base paths. Pittsburgh left three on.

UP NEXT: San Francisco and Pittsburgh continue its three-games series on Saturday 6/18 at 1:05pm at PNC Park.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Daniel Dullum: Belt’s back in full form; Hits HR on Wed against Royals

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The San Francisco Giants Brandon Belt rounds third base and heads home after hitting a bottom of the fourth inning home run at Oracle Park in San Francisco against the Kansas City Royals on Wed Jun 15, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Giants podcast with Daniel:

#1 One of the key figures in the San Francisco Giants line up is back since Tuesday night Brandon Belt who was a pinch hitter and on Wednesday was a designated hitter. Belt had been on the IL since May 18th.

#2 In the fourth inning on Wednesday Belt worked the an eight pitch count to 3-2 before hitting a rocket in the center field Kansas City Royals bullpen. It looks like Belt hasn’t missed a step.

#3 Fans have a waited over a month for Belt’s return and got their monies worth saluting the team captain as he rounded the bases after hitting the massive home run.

#4 The Giants did lose a tough one 3-2 Wednesday in a close game Giants starting pitcher Sammy Long pitched the first three innings giving up two runs and three hits but didn’t take the loss.

#5 The Giants open a three game series in Pittsburgh Friday night at 4:05 pm PDT. Starting pitchers for the Giants Carlos Rodon (5-4, 3.18) and for the Pirates Zach Thompson (3-4, ERA 4.50).

Join Daniel Dullum each Friday for the SF Giants podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com