That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Who really was at fault for Giants 2025 fall?

The Giants fired Bob Melvin after the 2025 season. / Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 What were the key factors that led to Bob Melvin’s dismissal as manager of the San Francisco Giants?

#2 How did the Giants’ performance in the 2025 season influence the front office’s decision to part ways with Melvin?

#3 Were there reported tensions between Bob Melvin and the Giants’ front office or players that may have contributed to his firing?

#4 What qualities or experience is the organization looking for in Melvin’s replacement?

#5 How does Bob Melvin’s tenure with the Giants compare to his previous managerial stints, particularly in terms of team development and clubhouse culture?

#6 Where does the buck really stop in the Giants front office? The Giants have not been in the World Series since 2014 that’s going on 12 years now. Does it stop with team president Buster Posey, general manager Zack Minasian or Giants CEO Larry Baer who is the one really responsible for the Giants not making it to the fall classic the last 12 years?

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

Giants fire Bob Melvin after two seasons

Former San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin signs a hat for a fan on Sat Sep 27, 2025 at Oracle Park in San Francisco. Melvin was fired by the Giants on Mon Sep 29, 2025 one day after the regular season was completed. (AP News photo)

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants announced Monday morning that they have dismissed Manager Bob Melvin after just two seasons.

Giants President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey informed Melvin Monday morning.

“After meeting with ownership, I met with Bob today to inform him of my decision,” said Posey in a statement put out by the Giants this morning. “On behalf of the organization, I want to express my appreciation to Bob for his dedication, professionalism and class. I wish him all the best.”

Melvin was brought in following Gabe Kapler’s dismissal following the 2023 season. After several off-season acquisitions, expectations were high for the Giants last season. 

However, a season-ending injury to Jung Hoo Lee, and complications surrounding then-President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi complicated things. The Giants were never able to put much together last season, and they finished their third-straight mediocre season at 80-82.

Posey was brought in to replace Zaidi at the end of last season, which gave Melvin more freedom to manage during games. The Giants also signed Willy Adames to bolster their offense, and following an 18-10 spring, expectations were high for the team.

The Giants started the season on fire, winning eight of their first nine games. They got their record to 24-14 after a win against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 7. There was a true belief and determination by the team to make this a special season.

Unfortunately, the Giants lost their mojo and played .500 ball for the next month and a half. Following a sweep by the Miami Marlins at Oracle Park in late June, cracks began to appear in the armor of the team.

Despite the Giants’ struggles, Posey exercised Melvin’s option for next season on July 1. The Giants regained their momentum to win seven of their next nine.

However, after a brutal loss to the Dodgers to end the first half on July 13, the Giants collapsed, losing 12 of their next 14 to fall the way to under .500. That led Posey to sell at the trade deadline, as reliever Tyler Rogers, closer Camilo Doval and outfielder Mike Yastrzemski were all dealt for prospects.

Things continued to get worse for the Giants in August, and they fell to seven games under .500 at 61-68 after a walk-off home run by William Contreras in Milwaukee on Aug. 22. The summer was lowlighted by a 1-15 stretch at home.

After a loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Aug. 15, which was the Giants’ 14th loss in their previous 15 home games, Melvin raised eyebrows saying, “We take the field every day, and gotta do it the next day, unfortunately.” It was a comment that rubbed Giants’ fans in a negative way, and showed signs of a manager losing his edge.

After Contreras’ walk-off home run on Aug. 22, the Giants suddenly got hot again. They won 11 of their next 12, and 14 out of 18 in total to get to just a half-game back of the New York Mets for the third wild card spot in the National League on Sept. 12.

At the end, it was the same story. The following night, the Giants blew a 4-1 lead to the Dodgers with Logan Webb on the mound in a brutal 13-7 loss. Three nights later, the Giants scored four runs in the top of the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, but blew the lead in a brutal 6-5 loss.

The Giants ended up eight out of ten, and were eliminated on Sept. 23. The Giants did win their final four to finish right at .500 at 81-81 for the second time in the last four years, but the damage was already done. At the end, the Giants finished just two games behind the Cincinnati Reds for the third wild card spot in the National League.

What started off as a magical season eventually turned into the Giants’ fourth-straight mediocre season. It was also the third time in the last four years in which the Giants were at double digits in games over .500, but failed to finish over .500.

“After careful evaluation, we determined that making a change in leadership was in the best interest of the team,” Posey said in the statement. “The last couple of months have been both disappointing and frustrating for all of us, and we did not perform up to our standards. We now turn our focus to identifying a new leader to guide us forward.”

Melvin’s tenure is the shortest of any Giants’ manager in 40 years. Melvin became the first Giants’ skipper to last less than four seasons—or shall we say less than three games shy of four seasons—since Jim Davenport was brought in in 1985, only to last 144 games in a brutal 100-loss season, the worst in the Giants’ 68 seasons in San Francisco.

The Giants went 131-133 in Melvins’ two seasons at the helm.

Posey and the Giants will now look for a new skipper to help break the spell of mediocrity that has engulfed the Giants over the last four seasons.

Webb shines as Giants sweep Rockies in 4-0 win, finish season .500

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb throws against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in San Francisco (AP photo: Thien-An Truong)

By Vince Cestone

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants ended the 2025 season strong behind Logan Webb’s 5 1/3 shutout innings, as they beat the Colorado Rockies 4-0 at Oracle Park on Sunday afternoon.

Webb, in his final start of the season, struck out 8 in his five-plus innings, while walking none. The Giants’ ace righty struck out the side in the first inning.

Webb finished 2025 leading the National League in innings (207) and strikeouts (224). He’s the first to do so since 1944.

The sold-out Oracle Park crowd showed their appreciation for Webb’s dominant season with a standing ovation.

The Giants offense started the game strong, as shortstop Willy Adames smacked his 30th homer of the year on the first pitch of the game. Adames became the first Giant since 2004 to hit at least 30 home runs in a season. Barry Bonds hit 45 home runs in 2004.

The Giants scored again in the fourth inning on a solo home run by Rafael Devers. Devers finished the season with 35 home runs, combined between Boston and San Francisco.

The Giants’ bullpen held the Rockies scoreless after Webb departed in the sixth.

The Giants tacked on two more runs in the eighth inning on a 2-RBI single by Jung Hoo Lee. Lee ended the day 3-for-4 with 2 RBI.

The Giants ended the year going 11-2 against the Rockies, but it wasn’t enough wins for the Giants to get into the postseason. It turns out that 84 wins would’ve been enough for the Giants to get into the 2025 MLB Playoffs.

San Francisco ended 2025 at 81-81.

The Giants will now go into the offseason trying to figure out why they finished the year at or around .500 yet again. After the game, Adames and third baseman Matt Chapman addressed the sold-out crowd promising that next year will be better.

But Giants fans have heard the same thing after season finales since 2022. Will 2026 be different?

Stay with Sports Radio Service all offseason for the latest San Francisco Giants hot stove news.

Possible work stoppage for Giants opening day 2026 by ballpark workers podcast: Aramark technology expansion could slash jobs at Oracle Park

Concession stands service employees at Oracle Park could be replaced by auto robots according to Local 2 Unite Here employees (photo by On Labor)

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–Aramark, the official food and concessions supplier for the San Francisco Giants, is reportedly set to add more kiosks and other self-serve technology at concession stands throughout Oracle Park next season, according to sources at UNITED HERE Local 2, the union that represents employees of Aramark at Oracle Park.

At the start of this season, Aramark introduced Mashgin AI self-checkout kiosks for fans to access at Oracle Park. They were established at a new Doggie Diner Express stand on the promenade level behind section 112, as well as at nine Bayside Brews beverage markets located throughout the ballpark.

It now appears that this technology will expand to other locations in the ballpark next season. If it goes through, it could put the jobs of many of Aramark’s employees in jeopardy.

Aramark replaced Bon Appetit as the official food supplier for the Giants in 2024. However, UNITED HERE Local 2 and its employees have been a consistent presence serving Giants’ fans at Oracle Park for many years. Many of the workers were serving food at the ballpark, even for Bon Appetit’s predecessor, Center Plate.

Self-technology has been a contentious issue for the union and its workers going back to the fall of 2021. In September 2021, then-Bon Appetit workers authorized a strike over the working conditions at Oracle Park, following the return of fans to the park during the Covid Pandemic. A strike was averted, and another collective bargaining agreement was reached in March 2024.

We had a chance to interview Rhonda Mitchell Unite Here Union Local 2 who talked about the auto robots who are planned to replace food service workers at Oracle Park. Mitchell says that if this comes to fruition there could be a work stoppage that could threaten the Giants home opener in 2026.

In an interview with Local 2 Unite Here Oracle Park Shop Steward Rhonda S Mitchell she discussed the possibility of using auto robots to replace food service workers at Oracle Park:

#1 How much of the food services is being earmarked for auto replacement of the food service people.

#2 Aramark says they refuse to agree on future limits on automation. If that’s going to be iron clad what recourse does the union have.

#3 Under Bon Appetit same union Local 2 that last time the union had to call for a work stoppage.
An alleged offer of a 25-cent raise to San Francisco Giants’ concession workers is outdated information from September 2021. The offer was rejected by unionized workers, who authorized a strike against the food service contractor, Bon Appétit Management, and the Giants over wage and safety issues. The dispute was ultimately settled with a more substantial agreement. The food service workers actually blocked an aisle at Oracle Park to demonstrate the Bon Appetite 25 cent raise.

#4 How much influence or how much say does the Giants have in the idea of having robot auto food servers or what they expect from labor at the park?

#5 If Aramark were to get their way and install the auto robots talk about how much this impact workers and their families and benefits. I’m sure when the Oakland A’s moved from Oakland a lot of those workers were impacted by losing those jobs?

Stephen Ruderman was a San Francisco Giants beat writer for the 2025 season at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Verlander Shines in Likely Giants Farewell as San Francisco Edges Rockies 4-3

Justin Verlander #35 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at Oracle Park on September 27, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SAN FRANCISCO — In what was most likely Justin Verlander’s last start in orange and black, the Giants defeated the Colorado Rockies 4-3 in game two of their three-game series to close out the season.

Justin Verlander pitched very well in what was likely his final start for the Giants. Verlander tossed six innings of two-run ball, giving up five hits and a walk while striking out seven. He walked off the mound after the sixth inning to a nice ovation from Giants fans who understood it could be the last time they see him.

Bob Melvin spoke after the game on Verlander’s final start.

“It’s nice to get him a win. You look up at his 3.85 ERA… knows where it’s going, pitched consistently every time out. We don’t give him a ton of run support but just enough today.”

The bullpen

The Giants turned to Joel Peguero for the seventh inning, and he tossed a scoreless frame, allowing only a lone walk.

In the eighth inning, Tristan Beck pitched a perfect frame to keep the Rockies off the board and from mounting any sort of comeback.

However, in the ninth inning Ryan Walker came on to close things out and ran into trouble. Walker managed just one out as he gave up a walk, two hits, and a run before Melvin had seen enough and went to Spencer Bivens to finish things off. Bivens came in, retired both batters he faced, and secured the 4-3 victory for the Giants.

The bats

The Giants didn’t get much offense going, but it was just enough to secure the win. They collected only four hits against the Rockies and scored a total of four runs while walking twice.

Three of the Giants’ runs came in the second inning thanks to a three-run home run from Casey Schmidt. Schmidt’s blast was hit to straightaway center field and left the bat at 104.5 mph before coming to rest 422 feet away on top of the center field netting.

The Giants scored one more run in the eighth inning on a Rafael Devers RBI double that went past the diving Rockies center fielder to give San Francisco a 4-2 lead.

Up next

The Giants will play their final game of the season on Sunday at 12:05 p.m. PST at Oracle Park in San Francisco. A sellout is expected for the season finale as Logan Webb (14-11, 3.30 ERA) is slated to go for the Giants. The Rockies are scheduled to send McCade Brown (0-4, 7.54 ERA) to the hill. If the Giants can complete the sweep, they will secure a .500 season at 81-81. They currently have 80 wins heading into Sunday’s game.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum honors Giants Willy Adames

On the San Francisco Giants scoreboard Giants second baseman Willy Adames (right) receives the Jose Uribe Hispanic Heritage Baseball Hall of Fame Museum Award from author and vice president of the Museum Amaury Pi Gonzalez at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Wed Sep 24, 2025 (photo by NBC Radio)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum honors Giants Willy Adames

Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum honors Giants Willy Adames

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

On Wednesday, September 24, prior to game #159 of the regular season, Willy Adames, shortstop of the San Francisco Giants, received the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame plaque honoring him with the José Uribe Award.

Amaury Pi-González, Vice President and Co-Founder of the museum, presented Adames with the plaque. Michael Friedman and Michael Gama, also representing the museum, were in attendance. This award is presented by the museum to the most outstanding Hispanic player on the San Francisco Giants each year.

In 2024, Wilmer Flores was the recipient. Two days later on Friday September 26, the Giants honored Adames with the Willie McCovey Award, Felicidades Willy this is your year!

This is the inscription on the José Uribe plaque. The Jose Uribe Sportsmanship Award has been awarded to a San Francisco Giants player who best exemplifies the character and Sportsmanship of the late Jose Uribe, a former San Francisco Giants Shortstop from the Dominican Republic who was a member of the 1989 National League Champion San Francisco Giants, who went on to play the Oakland Athletics during the Loma Prieta Earthquake-stricken World Series.

The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame wants to thank Bertha Fajardo of the San Francisco Giants for her cooperation in coordinating this event. Over 30% of all players in Major League Baseball are Hispanic, according to most statistics. https://hhbmhof.com/

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

Trevor McDonald shines in first career win and Willy Adames lives up to Willie Mac Award winner with homer in 6-3 win over Rockies 

San Francisco Giants’ Matt Chapman gestures after hitting a single against the Colorado Rockies during the fifth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

By Lincoln Juarez 

SAN FRANCISCO – Another Oracle Park sellout crowd watched the Giants take down the Rockies 6-3 behind the big swings of Willy Adames and Heliot Ramos. Trevor McDonald recorded the first ten strike out game of his career in his 7.0 inning performance, earning him his first big league win. 

The Giants opened up their final series of 2025 on the last Orange Friday of the year against the Colorado Rockies Friday night. It was Willie Mac Award night at the ballpark where the 45th anniversary of the award was celebrated by recognizing Giants shortstop, Willy Adames.

Adames was voted the most inspirational player on the Giants by his teammates, coaches, and fans. He earned the award in his first season as a Giant while batting .225 with 28 home runs and 84 RBIs and playing an integral role in the Junior Giants program for young boys and girls. 

Right hander Trevor McDonald was set to make his second big-league start after allowing just one run through six great innings of work on September 21 against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. 

McDonald settled in, shutting the Rockies out through the first four while striking out seven in the process. 

On the offensive side, the Giants got to work early on Rockies starter, German Marquez. Less than an hour after winning that award, Willy Adames sent a deep fly ball to left field that wrapped around the foul pole for a two-run homer. The Giants led 2-0 after the first. 

In the second, the offense rallied for three more runs. Jung Hoo Lee tripled with one out and Grant McCray walked with two down. With two men on and two out, Heliot Ramos launched his 21st home run of the season into the left field bleachers. Ramos took a hanging slider 439 feet, 110mph off the bat for a 5-0 Giants lead. 

Trevor McDonald didn’t get into trouble until the fifth inning when he allowed three runs, cutting the lead down to two. Brenton Doyle and Braxton Fulford both singled, setting up two on and two out for Ezequiel Tovar. Tovar smashed a first pitch curveball over the center field wall to put the Rockies on the board. His 9th homer of the season made it a two run game and ended up being Trevor McDonald’s only bad pitch of the night. 

McDonald finished Friday night with 7.0IP, 5H, 3ER, 0BB, and 10K. An absolutely stellar performance set the Giants up to take game one of the series and earn McDonald his first career win. 

The Giants added an insurance run in the home fifth but they wouldn’t end up needing it. Ryan Walker, who has struggled lately took the mound in the ninth with a 6-3 lead and a chance for the save. He struck out the first two batters he faced and got Brenton Doyle to ground out to the man of the night, Willy Adames to end the ballgame. 

An exciting start to the weekend ended with Tony Bennett spreading the love through the yard as the Giants took game one of the series 6-3. 

Game two will take place Saturday afternoon with the Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (5-16, 5.00) vs. the Giants RHP Justin Verlander (3-11, 3.88). 

First pitch at Oracle Park, 1:05pm. 

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum honors Giants Willy Adames

San Francisco Giant second baseman Willy Adames (2) receives the Willie McCovey Award on Fri Sep 26, 2025. On Wed Sep 24, 2025 Adames received the Jose Uribe Hispanic Heritage Baseball Hall of Fame Museum Award at Oracle Park in San Francisco (San Francisco Giants X photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum honors Giants Willy Adames

Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum honors Giants Willy Adames

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

On Wednesday, September 24, prior to game #159 of the regular season, Willy Adames, shortstop of the San Francisco Giants, received the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame plaque honoring him with the José Uribe Award.

Amaury Pi-González, Vice President and Co-Founder of the museum, presented Adames with the plaque. Michael Friedman and Michael Gama, also representing the museum, were in attendance. This award is presented by the museum to the most outstanding Hispanic player on the San Francisco Giants each year.

In 2024, Wilmer Flores was the recipient. Two days later on Friday September 26, the Giants honored Adames with the Willie McCovey Award, Felicidades Willy this is your year!

This is the inscription on the José Uribe plaque. The Jose Uribe Sportsmanship Award has been awarded to a San Francisco Giants player who best exemplifies the character and Sportsmanship of the late Jose Uribe, a former San Francisco Giants Shortstop from the Dominican Republic who was a member of the 1989 National League Champion San Francisco Giants, who went on to play the Oakland Athletics during the Loma Prieta Earthquake-stricken World Series.

The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame wants to thank Bertha Fajardo of the San Francisco Giants for her cooperation in coordinating this event. Over 30% of all players in Major League Baseball are Hispanic, according to most statistics. https://hhbmhof.com/

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

Sacramento A’s podcast Lincoln Juarez: A’s open up 3 game set in final home series at Sutter Health

The Houston Astros Carlos Correa swings for a double in the top of the seventh inning against the Sacramento A’s at Sutter Health Park on Thu Sep 25, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast with Lincoln Juarez:

#1 How did Framber Valdez’s pitching performance on Thursday compare to his recent outings — in terms of innings, strikeouts, and earned runs?

#2 Which offensive contributions (home runs, RBIs, multi-hit games) from Astros or A’s hitters had the biggest impact on the final 11–5 score?

#3 The Astros’ 11-5 win prevented a series sweep by the Athletics, and what was the series outcome?

#4 How did the result affect Houston’s position in the AL Wild Card race (especially vis‑à‑vis Detroit or Cleveland)?

#5 Talk about tonight’s starting pitchers for the Kansas City Royals LHP Noah Cameron (9-7 ERA 2.90) the A’s starter for tonight is RHP Mason Barnett (1-1 ERA 7.56) at Sutter Health Park.

Lincoln Juarez did the A’s podcasts during the 2025 season 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. 

Giants avoid the sweep against St. Louis 4-3 behind game winning hit by Andrew Knizner in the eighth

San Francisco Giants Casey Schmitt dives into second base with a double as St Louis Cardinals second baseman Brandon Donavon puts on the tag too late at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Wed Sep 24. 2025 (AP News photo)

By Lincoln Juarez 

SAN FRANCISCO – The Giants took the final game of three against the Cardinals to avoid being swept. Andrew Knizner came up with two clutch RBIs and the game-winning hit in the eighth inning. Rafael Devers launched his 34th home run of the season into McCovey Cove for the 108th Splash Hit by a Giant in Oracle Park’s history. 

In the first of four meaningless games at Oracle Park to end the season, the Giants hosted the Cardinals in the final game of their three game series. The orange and black suffered two devastating losses to begin the week officially eliminating them from playoff contention. The Giants were searching for any way to give the Oracle Park crowd something positive to cheer about. 

SF’s JT Brubaker made his first start as a Giant in his fifth appearance with the team. In nine career games against St. Louis, prior to Wednesday night, he was 0-6 with a 6.20 ERA. 

The only trouble he faced from the Cardinal lineup came in the third inning where two runs came across on three hits against the right hander. After tying an MLB record with four doubles in a game Tuesday night, Brendan Donovan doubled again, this time driving in Victor Scott II. He then came around to score on an Ivan Herrera single which ended up being the last time a Cardinal flew across the plate. 

The Giants got to Cardinals’ starter Sonny Gray for a run in the second, third, and fourth innings building up a 3-2 lead. 

Casey Schmitt doubled in the home second for his first of three hits on the night. Jung Hoo Lee followed and traded places with Schmitt to give the Giants a 1-0 at the time. 

After giving up the lead in the top half of the inning and trailing 2-1, Rafael Devers led off the home third with his first career Splash Hit and 34th home run of the year to tie the game. 

In the bottom of the fourth Christian Koss led off with a deep fly ball to right that was dropped by right fielder Jordan Walker, allowing Koss to reach second base on the error. A productive groundout by Drew Gilbert moved Koss over to third and he eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Andrew Knizner.

The Giants took that 3-2 lead all the way to the eighth behind three strong shutout innings by Carson Seymour, when the Cardinals finally broke through to tie the game. Nolan Arenado scored Ivan Herrera on a sac fly that received a large, collective groan from the fans packed inside Oracle Park. 

Jose Butto replaced Matt Gage and got the Giants out of the inning in a 3-3 tie. 

Seven, eight, and nine were due up in the home eighth looking for some magic. Christian Koss led off with a single and moved over to second on a ground ball by Drew Gilbert forcing the only play to be at first base. Andrew Knizner, who got the start with a .219 batting average so far this season, stepped up with the go-ahead run in scoring position. 

He drove a screaming line drive 108mph off the bat to center field past a diving Victor Scott II and all the way to the center field wall. Pumping his fists as he powered into third base, Knizner had given the Giants an eighth inning lead on an RBI-triple. 

Nothing more came in the eighth, but the excitement continued in the top of the ninth with second baseman Christian Koss rolling a do-it-yourself double play, dancing across the second base bag as he slung a throw to Bryce Eldridge at first to complete the play.

St. Louis sent pinch hitter Jose Fermin to the plate as their final hope. On the first pitch he bunted a ball down the third base line where Casey Schmitt gloved it and threw to first on the run for the final out. 

The Giants avoided being swept by the Cardinals for the first time since June 20-23, 2024 and for the first time in San Francisco since June 17-19, 1991 at Candlestick Park. 

San Francisco will try to bring the momentum from Wednesday night into the final weekend of the season, following an off day Thursday. Game 160 will take place Friday evening at Oracle Park with the Colorado Rockies who have not announced a starter and for the Giants RHP Trevor McDonald (0-0 ERA 3.38)

First pitch 7:15pm.