Category: San Francisco Giants

Arenado goes yard twice in Rockies’ 6-2 win

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By Jeremy Kahn

Trevor Story joins Paul Goldschmidt and, teammate. Nolan Arenado as a nemesis of the San Francisco Giants pitching staff.

Story hit a home run for the fifth straight game against the Giants, tying the longest streak by a Colorado Rockies player, leading the Rockies to a 6-2 victory over the Giants at Coors Field.

Arenado, another longtime nemesis of the Giants pitching staff, hit two home runs as the Rockies took revenge and the series just a month after being swept by the Giants also at home.

Kyle Freeland won his first game since defeating the Philadelphia Phillies on April 18, as he was 0-6 with five no-decisions and spent five weeks with the Rockies Triple-A team. Freeland rejoined the club on July 13th.

Freeland went five innings, allowing two runs, walking just one and striking out five, improving to 3-9 on the season.

The Giants offense came from one batter, as Donovan Solano hit two home runs on the afternoon.

Solano led off the game and the second pitch of the game from Freeland landed in the left-field bleachers.

In his second at-bat, Solano hit a 445-foot home run making it the first multi-home run game for Solano since he did it as a member of the Florida Marlins against the Atlanta Braves on September 25, 2012.

It was not a good day for Brandon Belt or Buster Posey, as the two went a combined 0-for-8 on the afternoon.

Tyler Beede lasted just 3.2 innings for the Giants in his first-ever start at Coors Field, giving up five runs on eight hits.

Beede has struggled ever since shutting out the San Diego Padres on July 19th, when he threw eight innings of three-hit ball. Over his last three games, Beede has a 7.98 earned run average.

Trouble began for Beede with leadoff batter Charlie Blackmon, who hit a double down the left field line followed by Story’s two-run homer that gave the Rockies the lead for good.

After Daniel Murphy grounded out for the first out of the inning, Arenado hit his first home run of the game.

Solano cut the Rockies lead in half in the top of the third inning, as he hit his second home run in as many at-bats.

The Rockies extended the lead to 5-2 in the bottom of the third inning, as Blackmon led off with a double, Story walked, then Murphy singled to right to score Blackmon and send Story to third base.

Arenado then grounded into a double play that scored Story from third base. He then closed out the scoring on the game, as he hit his second home run of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning.

NOTES: Evan Longoria was activated from the 10-day injured list, and to make room for Longoria, the Giants sent Zach Green to Sacramento. Longoria was out with plantar fasciitis in his left foot.

This was the last game in Colorado for Bruce Bochy, went 96-118 in 25 years at Coors Field between the San Diego Padres and the Giants.

UP NEXT: Jeff Samardzija takes the mound on Monday night against the Washington Nationals, while the Nationals will send Erick Feede to the mound.

Posey comes up in the clutch to win the game for the Giants 6-5

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By Jeremy Kahn

Buster Posey is a three-time World Champion, a former Rookie of the Year and a Most Valuable Player award winner, and he can still come up with the big hit when it is needed most.

Posey hit a two-run pinch-hit double that scored Austin Slater and Kevin Pillar, as the San Francisco Giants came back to defeat the Colorado Rockies 6-5 at Coors Field.

The Posey double that could not be stopped by right fielder Charlie Blackmon, came  off of losing pitcher Carlos Estevez.

Joe Panik came off the bench to bat for Zach Green, and walked against Estevez. Following the walk to Panik, Estevez gave up a single to Slater that sent Panik to second, where Pillar was sent into run for him.

Posey came off the bench to pinch-hit for Sam Coonrod, and gave the Giants the lead, when he doubled up the alley.

After the Posey double, Brandon Belt walked and that was the end of the line for Estevez, who was replaced by Sam Howard, who promptly hit Mike Yastrzemski to load the bases with one out. Howard then regrouped to strike out Pablo Sandoval swinging, and then got out of the jam, when he got Stephen Vogt to fly out to left to end the inning.

Things got off to a fast start for the Giants, as they scored four runs in the top of the first inning off of Rockies starter Jon Gray.

Yastrzemski got the first inning rally started, as he walked against Gray and then scored on a Pablo Sandoval double.

Brandon Crawford then singled in Sandoval, and on the throw home, Crawford moved up to second. Scooter Gennett then hit his first home run as a Giant, a two-run shot that was measured at 413 feet.

Ryan McMahon got the Rockies on the board in the bottom of the second inning, as he grounded out to second base which scored Daniel Murphy from third base. Murphy led off the inning with a double that landed in between Yastrzemski and Steven Duggar.

Trevor Story got the Rockies within one run in the bottom of the third inning, as he hit a two-run home run off of Madison Bumgarner.

The Giants started another rally in the top of the fourth inning, as Bumgarner singled to left and went to third on a Belt double; however, the rally ended when Yastrzemski grounded out to end the inning.

Blackmon tied up the game, as he led off the bottom of the fifth inning with a solo home run to center field.

Three batters later, Murphy gave the Rockies the lead, as he doubled to right field and Nolan Arenado scored on a Gennett throwing error. Arenado singled to center just before the Murphy double.

Duggar then made the play of the game, as he leaped over the fence to rob Ian Desmond of a potential two-run home run.

“Pretty incredible that he got up there,” said Bumgarner.

The fifth inning was it for Bumgarner, who threw 91 pitches in those five innings. Bumgarner gave up five runs on eight hits, walking one and striking out two.

After Bumgarner left the game, the new Giants bullpen bounced back from a rough outing on Friday night to get the Giants the victory.

The quartet of Trevor Gott, Sam Coonrod, Tony Watson and Will Smith pitched the final four innings, allowing four hits, walking just one and striking out six.

Coonrod threw a perfect seventh inning, as he picked up his second win of the season.

Despite giving up two hits in the bottom of the ninth inning, Smith picked up his 27th save of the season, as he struck out the side to end the game.

NOTES: Ty Blach, who was designated for assignment earlier this week, was claimed off of waivers by the Baltimore Orioles.

Dan Winkler, who was acquired in the Mark Melancon from the Atlanta Braves and was immediately designated for assignment, cleared waivers and was outrighted to triple-A Sacramento.

UP NEXT: Tyler Beede will close out the series and the road trip, as he looks for his fourth win of the season, while the Rockies will send Kyle Freeland to the hill.

Tough 5-4 loss in Giants’ series opener vs. Rockies

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Photo credit: mercurynews.com

By Jeremy Kahn

Something rare happened in the opener for the San Francisco Giants against the Colorado Rockies, as the usual Giants solid bullpen fell apart.

Ian Desmond picked up a pinch-hit double off of Reyes Moronta in the bottom of the seventh inning, helping the Rockies to a come-from-behind 5-4 victory over the Giants at Coors Field.

Sam Selman, who made his major-league debut on Thursday afternoon against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, gave a big two-run home run to Ryan McMahon in the bottom of the sixth inning that tied up the game.

Mike Yastrzemski hit his 10th home run of the season off the façade of the third deck that was measured at 472 feet.

Moronta was wild in the seventh, as he went to three ball counts on the first three batters he faced, as Charlie Blackmon singled, Trevor Story walked and then Desmond hit a double off of Moronta that gave the Rockies the lead for good.

Andrew Suarez, who was recalled from Sacramento was shot in the arm for the Giants, especially on a play from Giants newcomer Scooter Gennett. Daniel Murphy hit a weak ground ball that Gennett fielded and threw to Buster Posey, who tagged Story, who was originally called safe; however, Bruce Bochy challenged the call and it was overturned via replay.

Shawn Anderson pitched five innings, allowing three runs on eight hits, walking two and did not strikeout a batter.

NOTES: Dereck Rodriguez was optioned to Sacramento following Thursdays 10-2 against the Phillies. Steven Duggar was recalled from Sacramento, and Tyler Austin was designated for assignment.

This was just the Giants second loss to a team from the National League West in 12 games since June 30.

UP NEXT: Madison Bumgarner will take the ball on Saturday evening for the Giants, while the Rockies will send Jon Gray to the mound.

Rodriguez knocked around as Giants fall to Phillies 10-2

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Photo credit: nbcsports.com

By Jeremy Harness

Dereck Rodriguez was making a spot start on Thursday, and his performance showed why he is not in the starting rotation like he was last season.

The Philadelphia Phillies ripped Rodriguez (4-6, 5.32 ERA) for seven runs – four earned – on eight hits, and the young right-hander lasted only three innings before being pulled. He also walked two and did not strike out a single batter.

Aided by a throwing error by shortstop Brandon Crawford, the Phillies put three runs on the board in the second inning, followed by two more in the third.

Philadelphia kept the heat on in the fourth with a pair of homers that spelled the end of Rodriguez’s day. Cesar Hernandez launched a solo homer before J.T. Realmuto launched one just over the reach of center fielder Kevin Pillar for a three-run shot that gave the Phillies a commanding 9-0 lead.

Phillies starter Jake Arrieta surrendered only a pair of runs – one of them earned – while walking one and striking out five, but he only went four innings and, therefore, did not qualify for the win. Lefty Jose Alvarez came in and gave up only a hit in the fifth and was credited with the win (2-2, 3.00 ERA) instead.

In that inning, the Giants did make a small run, as Brandon Belt and Mike Yastrzemski both had RBI singles to cut the lead to seven. However, the bats then fell quiet again and did not make a serious threat for the remainder of the game.

The Giants did put together 10 hits on Thursday, with four – Belt, Yastrzemski, Donovan Solano, and Stephen Vogt – getting two hits each.

The Giants will now head to Colorado for a three-game series with the Rockies, and it has been a place where the Giants have has more success lately and will need to take advantage of this if they are going to continue to compete for a wild card spot in the National League.

Regroup Fast: Giants get pushed around by the Phillies, lose 10-2

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By Morris Phillips

Taking control of big games, winning series, and battling at least four other National League wild card hopefuls for the next nine weeks requires hard work, and heroic efforts churned out on a daily basis.

Knowing all that, the Giants took Thursday off, falling behind the Phillies 9-0 in the fourth inning in route to a 10-2 loss. J.P. Realmuto, Cesar Hernandez and Roman Quinn hit home runs for Philadelphia while Giants starter Dereck Rodriguez didn’t survive the third inning.

“We made some mistakes on the mound,” manager Bruce Bochy admitted.

The Phillies were in no mood to qualify their accomplishments. They’ve played losing baseball over their last 53 ballgames (24-29) and desperately needed to win a series, and stay in front of the Giants in the wild card hunt. They got that done Thursday afternoon.

“We’ve had guys that have had stretches that were really good, but we haven’t really clicked all together at the same time yet,” said Realmuto. “We feel like we have the guys in this clubhouse to get it done. We just have to come together and play well together and get things rolling.”

Philadelphia won a series against a team with a winning record for the first time since taking two of three at San Diego on June 3.

The Phillies joined the Nationals atop the wild card standings with the win, but they’re not alone. Whoever loses the Cubs-Cardinals game Thursday night will form a three-way tie for two playoff spots at 57-51. The Brewers are a game back, and the Giants (54-53) are 2 1/2 back.

The Giants surged after an encouraging outcome to the trade deadline that saw them keep Will Smith and Madison Bumgarner. They responded by whipping the Phillies 5-1 on Wednesday. That closed a miraculous July for the Giants with a 19-6 record.

But in the series finale, they appeared listless in the occasion of Alex Dickerson going on the disabled list with an oblique issue. Also, Brandon Crawford departed early when he injured his shoulder diving for a ball.

Giants beat Phillies 5-1, say goodbye to hurlers

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Photo credit: @SFGiants

By Jeremy Harness

The Giants won on the field on Wednesday, a 5-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies, one of the teams they are chasing for the second wild-card spot in the National League. In the meantime, they were quite busy off the field.

The Giants made a series of deals at Wednesday’s trade deadline that meant the departure of a few pitchers, one of which commanded a fairly-hefty price tag, particularly for the return they were getting.

Reliever Mark Melancon, who was brought in to be the Giants’ closer when they signed him in 2017, waived his no-trade clause and was dealt to the Atlanta Braves for pair of righties, minor leaguer Tristan beck and veteran Dan Winkler.

What’s even better for the Giants is that the Braves are taking on the entire $14 million Melancon is set to make this season as well as the $14 million he is due next year, which is the final year of a contract that was, at the time, considered to be the highest annual value for a relief pitcher in history.

The Giants also said goodbye to another right-handed reliever, as Sam Dyson was traded to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for three minor-league prospects – two righties and an outfielder – minutes before the deadline expired.

In a related note, the Twins also added former Giants closer Sergio Romo, getting him from the Miami Marlins on Saturday.

The Giants appear to have gotten some value in trading struggling starter Drew Pomeranz and righty reliever Ray Black to Milwaukee, as they got infielder Mauricio Dubon, a middle infielder who is considered to be one of the Brewers’ top prospects.

They did bolster their middle infield by acquiring second baseman Scooter Gennett, who was a National League All-Star last season but has missed almost all of 2019 with a groin injury. With the move, the future of second baseman Joe Panik, who has struggled with a .231 batting average, appears to be uncertain.

The two most talked-about trade prospects, lefty Madison Bumgarner and lefty closer Will Smith, are staying in San Francisco for the remainder of the season. Smith is currently on a one-year deal that is paying him $4.225 million while Bumgarner is in the final year of his contract, and he is due $12 million.

Smyly shuts down Giants’ offense in 4-2 win

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Photo credit: @JClarkNBCS

By Jeremy Kahn

Rhys Hoskins put the icing on the cake for the Philadelphia Phillies in the series and season opener against the San Francisco Giants.

Hoskins hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning off of Tyler Beede, helping the Phillies defeat the Giants 4-2 at Citizens Bank Park.

Not only did Hoskins come up the biggest hit of the night, but new Phillies pitcher Drew Smyly was outstanding in his second start for the Phillies.

Smyly gave up one run in six innings in that first start and was just as amazing tonight against the Giants.

The left-hander went seven innings, allowing zero runs, while scattering four hits and struck out five.

The Giants finally got on the board in the top of the eighth inning, as Stephen Vogt and Brandon Belt each pinch-hit home runs off of Phillies reliever Nick Pivetta; however, that was all the offense that the Giants could muster in the series opener.

Phillies closer Hector Neris did not allow a run in the top of the ninth inning, as he picked up his 19th save of the season.

Beede gave up two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, as the Phillies took a 2-0 lead and then was done for the night after Hoskins hit his 23rd home run of the season that also scored Bryce Harper, who walked in the inning.

Maikel Franco got the Phillies on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning, as he drove in J.T. Realmuto and then Adam Haseley singled in Cesar Hernandez to give the Phillies a 2-0 lead.

Beede went five innings, allowing four runs, walking two and striking out four, as he fell to 2-4 on the season.

NOTES: This was the Giants seventh straight loss at Citizens Bank Park, who came into the game winners of 12 out of 15 and 19 out of 24 prior to the loss.

UP NEXT: Jeff Samardzija will take the mound on Wednesday evening for the Giants, while the Phillies will send Vince Velasquez to the hill.

At Home in Hotels: 2019 Giants hang their hats on road performances

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By Morris Phillips

Winning road games is hard work, airports, ignoring witty fans yelling from half empty concourse sections, and maintaining focus in late inning situations while outdueling baserunners, sluggers, aggressive coaches and managers.

It’s all that. 81 games a year. And apparently, the 2019 Giants are pretty good at it.

It didn’t happen right away. The Giants opened the season on the road, and got fleeced in Petco Park and Dodger Stadium, then underperformed on their second trip starting in Washington and Pittsburgh. But on getaway Sunday at PNC Park, Buster Posey broke his homerless streak of over 70 games, Dereck Rodriguez limited the Pirates to two runs, and three relievers closed the door with no margin for error. The defense was flawless.

That was April 21. The Giants took that next day off and went on to win both games in Toronto for a three-game win streak. Since that still early April date in Pittsburgh, the Giants are 26-15 away from home.

They’ve won games, series, and they’ve piled up the runs as of late. And they appear to be getting better at it.

With the season on the line, they’ll need to keep up the room service routine in Philadelphia starting Tuesday when Tyler Beede faces the Phillies’ Drew Smyly at 4:05pm. The Phillies (55-50) lead the Giants (54-52) by 1 1/2 games in a crowded field of NL Wild Card hopefuls.

Not surprisingly, most of the metrics favor the Giants. Over their last 16 road contests, the Giants have piled up offensive numbers well above their season as whole. While winning 13 of 16, the Giants have 50 doubles (six on Sunday versus the Padres), 22 homers, and 122 runs.

Those numbers aren’t good, they’re gaudy. Better than seven runs a game, and when dramatics have been needed, the Giants have summoned them. They’re 7-0 in extra innings games since the All-Star break, three of those wins on the road.

That’s in 16 games. The Giants have scored just 178 runs in their 53 home games.

Meanwhile the Phillies are leaning on a pair of starters with obvious warts on their 2019 records. Smyly is making his second start for the Phillies after he was acquired from Texas, where he went 1-5 with an 8.42 ERA over nine starts and four relief appearances.

Vince Velasquez, who starts Wednesday, started the season in the Phillies rotation, then pitched out the bullpen for much of May and June.  He’s back in the rotation now, going 1-2 in his most recent six starts. But what sticks out are his incendiary numbers at Citizens Bank Park where he’s made seven appearances (four starts) and allowed 19 hits and seven home runs.

On Thursday, the Phillies list their starter as Jake Arrieta. The 33-year old has spent 2019 trying to stay relevant, allowing 57 hits and 29 walks in his 60 innings pitched at Citizens Bank Park. His inability to get deep into games has the Phillies considering a long reliever to piggyback his starts, maybe Zach Elfin, who for now is the listed starter on Friday.

Ironically, the Phillies acquired Jason Vargas from the Mets on Monday, but he won’t pitch until Saturday at the earliest, well after the Giants leave town, and after the trade deadline.

MONDAY’S RESULTS: The Giants didn’t hit the diamond on Monday, getting a travel day while crossing the country from San Diego to Philadelphia. But what transpired was of great importance in their absence. After all, trying to qualify for the playoffs with 88 or so wins while surpassing four of the five teams in front of them in the standings entering Monday is a delicate task with lots of moving parts.

MARLINS 11, DIAMONDBACKS 6 — Arizona fell for the third time in the last four days to the NL’s worst team. The D’Backs are below .500 for the first time since July 5, making them an obvious choice to sell at the upcoming trade deadline. For the Giants, the losses, as well as Arizona’s rugged upcoming schedule against the Yankees, Dodgers, Nationals and Phillies make it more likely they will remain behind the Giants in the standings for the foreseeable future.

Beyond winning games, the Giants’ biggest goals surround staying in front of as many wild card hopefuls in the standings as they can. Not having to worry about Arizona is big.

NATIONALS 6, BRAVES 3 — Anthony Rendon broke open a 2-2 game with a sixth inning grand slam, and the Nats closed ground on Atlanta in the NL East. Washington moved eight games above .500 for the second time in 2019, and they have the clearest track to hosting the NL Wild Card game with a half-game lead on the Cubs and Cardinals, and 1 1/2 games on the Phillies and Brewers.

The Giants would prefer the pack of five in front of them stay as densely packed in terms of wins and losses as possible. The Nats have gone 38-18 after a really poor 19-31 start to their season. They’re the team the Giants are least likely to catch, if so, that makes it imperative they catch the Cubs, Phillies, Brewers and Cardinals, despite having games remaining against only two of those four. That could be tricky.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips: Yaz goes 4-5 with two doubles; Bum gets win in narrow 7-6 final; plus more

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sfgate.com photo: San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner pitches to the San Diego Padres in the first innings in Petco Park on Sunday

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris:

#1 You just never know whose going to contribute to the San Francisco Giants winning causes Mike Yastrzemski went 4-5 with two singles and two doubles in the Giants 7-6 win.

#2 Morris talks about the rookie Yastrzemski whose having a great year for San Francisco .275, 33 runs, 31 RBIs, 9 home runs.

#3 Giants starter Madison Bumgarner had everything working for him except for giving up a three run home run in the bottom of the third inning to Hunter Renfroe that put the San Diego Padres on top 4-2.

#4 Bumgarner pitched seven innings, four hits, striking out six and walking two batters.

#5 The Giants have the day off on Monday and open up a three game series on Tuesday in Philadelphia at Citizens Bank starting for the Giants Tyler Beede (4-5 ERA 4.85) for the Phillies Drew Smyly (1-5 7.69)

Morris does the Giants podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Yastrzemski goes 4-for-5 in Giants win 7-6; Final game at Petco for Bochy

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sfgate.com photo: San Francisco Giants outfielder Mike Yastrzemski scores on a Solano Donavon single the top of the fourth at Petco Park in San Diego on Sunday

By Jeremy Kahn

In what was Bruce Bochy’s final game at Petco Park, the San Francisco Giants gave their manager a nice going away present.

Mike Yastrzemski picked up his second four-hit game of the season, while Madison Bumgarner went seven innings and the Giants hung on to defeat the San Diego Padres 7-6 at Petco Park.

Yastrzemski singled twice and doubled twice, as the Giants improved to 13-4 since the All-Star break.

Bumgarner scattered four hits in seven innings, and his only mistake was a three-run home run to Hunter Renfroe in the bottom of the third inning that gave the Padres a 4-2 lead.

He also struck out six and walked two in his final start before the July 31 trade deadline.

On the afternoon, the Giants picked up 16 hits against Padres pitching, as they won their seventh game in the past eight against the Padres, five of those seven wins came at Petco Park. The Giants swept the Padres in a three-game series from July 1-3.

Renfroe, who hit the three-run home run that gave the Padres a two-run lead in the bottom of the third inning, drove in four runs; however, it was not enough, as the Padres are now 4-11 since the All-Star break and have fallen into fourth place in the National League West.

It was the second four hit of Yastrzemskis career and his second in the last 13 days, as he picked up four hits against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on July 25.

Buster Posey picked up three hits on the afternoon, which included an RBI double in the top of the ninth inning.

The Giants tied up the game in the top of the fourth inning, as Poway native Alex Dickerson singled to right field to score Donovan Solano, who cut the Padres lead down to 4-3 two batters before Dickerson tied it up. Solanos single scored Yastrzemski, who doubled to left-center field with one out in the inning.

Will Smith gave up a two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to Wil Myers in the bottom of the ninth inning, but Luis Urias to end the game and pick up his 26th save of the season.

NOTES: With this being Bochy’s last game at Petco Park, the manager stayed at the team hotel on Saturday night instead of his Poway home.

“A lot of people were going to ask me, what’s it going to be like coming to the ballpark, going down memory lane, whatever,” Bochy said. “That’s the first time I’ve walked from the Marriott, so it was not like I went down memory lane on that one.”

Nick Vincent was reinstated from his rehab assignment, also reinstated from the 60-day disabled list and then designated for assignment.

UP NEXT: After an off-day on Monday, the Giants begin a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park and Tyler Beede will take the mound in the opener.