Category: San Francisco Giants

San Francisco Giants podcast Morris Phillips: Giants open up three game series with A’s Friday

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Jordan Hicks (right) is relieved by manager Bob Melvin (left) in the top of the third inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Wed May 14, 2025 (AP News photo)

On San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips:

#1 The San Francisco Giants dropped a three game series to the Arizona Diamondbacks losing two out of three. Both loses by San Francisco were narrow loses starting with Monday’s 2-1 loss as the Diamondbacks lead off hitter Corbin Carroll hit two home runs which was all the runs the Diamondbacks needed for the win.

#2 The Diamondbacks held onto win on Wednesday afternoon with 13 hits to just hold onto get by the Giants 8-7. The Diamondbacks got home run help from Ketel Marte who hit two homers in the rubber game win.

#3 Giants starter Jordan Hicks gave up Marte’s first home run a solo blast in the first inning then in the top of the fourth Marte homered off Giants reliever Hayden Birdsong. Marte was seeing the ball well during the Wednesday matinee.

#4 The Sacramento A’s come calling on Friday night at Oracle Park in the first of a three game series. This will be the first non Bay Bridge Series between the two clubs since the A’s moved to Sacramento. Still this doesn’t take away from the nostalgia of it all does it?

#5 Morris, taking a look at the starters for this one Friday for the A’s manager Mark Kotsay has not decided on who will start to open the series yet. For the Giants RHP Logan Webb (4-3 ERA 2.60) has been having a lot success out on the mound. How do you see this series.

Join Morris Phillips for the San Francisco Giants podcast each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants game wrap: Giants’ comeback falls just short, as Diamondbacks hold on for 8-7 win to take series

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Arizona Diamondbacks third base coach Shaun Larkin (88) congratulates Ketel Marte (right) after hitting a two run home run in top of the fourth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Arizona Diamondbacks 8 (23-21)

San Francisco Giants 7 (25-19)

Win: Ryan Thompson (1-0)

Loss: Jordan Hicks (1-6)

Save: Shelby Miller (3)

Time: 3:14

Attendance: 30,078

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants came back from down 8-2 to put the tying run 90 feet away at third base in the bottom of the ninth inning, but at the end, the Diamondbacks held on to win this thriller by a final of 8-7 Wednesday.

After a wild win Tuesday night, the Giants looked to take the series over their division rivals Wednesday. However, Giants’ starter Jordan Hicks has had his struggles in the early going this season, and they would continue Wednesday.

Katel Marte shot a home run just fair down the right field line with one out in the top of the first inning to give the Diamondbacks an early 1-0 lead. Arizona then scored two more runs in the top of the second on RBI base-hits by Geraldo Perdomo and Alek Thomas.

The Diamondbacks led 3-0, and they looked to blow it open early, as they still had the bases loaded with nobody out. Hicks caught a break when Corbin Carroll lined a bullet to first-baseman David Villar, who turned an unassisted double play. Marte, who had homered an inning prior, struck out to end the inning, and Hicks got out of it down by just three.

The Giants had their response against Diamondbacks’ starter Eduardo Rodrigurez in the bottom of the second. Just like last night, the suddenly-hot Christian Koss came up with the bases loaded and one out. He didn’t hit a grand slam like last night, but he fisted a base-hit to right, which knocked in Willy Adames to put the Giants on the board. Heliot Ramos then knocked in catcher Sam Huff with a sacrifice fly to right to make it 3-2.

However, the struggles continued for Hicks in the top of the third. Lourdes Gurriel led off the inning with a double, and after Josh Naylor got Gurriel over to third on a bloop single, Hicks was done after just two-plus innings.

Bob Melvin brought up the reliable Hayden Birdsong. Birdsong has been off to a great start this season, and he came into today’s game with a 1.33 ERA. Unfortunately, this would not be Birdsong’s day, as Eugenio Suarez greeted him with a three-run home run to left to open Arizona’s lead back up to 6-2.

After the Giants went down one, two, three against Rodriguez in the bottom of the third, Birdsong was tagged for another home run with one out in the top of the fourth. This one was the second home run of the day for Katel Marte, who hit a two-run shot over the high wall in right-center. The Diamondbacks now had an 8-2 lead.

However, despite their recent offensive struggles, the Giants have never given up, and they have been known to come back and win games. The Giants put runners at first and second with two outs in the bottom of the fourth for Heliot Ramos. Ramos lined a double down the left field line, and both runners scored to make it 8-4, and the Giants had sent their message.

Birdsong got through the fifth, and Spencer Bivens pitched scoreless innings in the sixth and seventh.

Though they went down scoreless in the fifth and sixth, the Giants continued to chip away at Arizona’s lead in the bottom of the seventh against Ryne Nelson. Wilmer Flores singled with one out, and Jung Hoo Lee hit a two-run home run to right-center to make it 8-6.

Erik Miller threw a one, two, three top of the eighth, and Nelson retired the first two men he faced in the bottom of the eighth. Then there was some drama. Koss drew a walk, and Heliot Ramos reached on an infield hit to third. However, Koss rounded second and collided with Diamondbacks’ shortstop Geraldo Perdomo. Koss fell to the ground and appeared to be hurt, and he was promptly tagged out.

However, after Melvin came out to argue, the umpires called Type 2 obstruction on Perdomo. Type 2 obstruction is called when a runner is impeded by a fielder without the ball while a play is not being made on him. With type 2 obstruction, the play continues, and then the umpires determine where the runner would have gone had the obstruction not occurred.

Usually, if a player stops after Type 2 obstruction is called and stays put or assumes he’s entitled to the next base—as is the case with Type 1 obstruction, which is called when a runner is being impeded by a fielder without the ball while a play is being made on him—and he gets tagged out in the process, the out stands.

Diamondbacks Manager Torey Lovullo was furious. His argument very well may have been that Koss was sitting on the ground after the obstruction, and thus should have been out. However, since Koss was hurt and unable to get up and go back to second, he was awarded second base to nullify the obstruction. What also complicated things was that the obstruction was not called until after the play ended.

First Base Umpire and Crew Chief Mark Ripperger explained the crew’s decision to Lovullo, who would be thrown out of the game. On the other hand, Melvin and Giants Third Base Coach Matt Williams did not like that Koss was unable to move up to third.

However, as I mentioned earlier, Koss would have been awarded third on Type 1 obstruction if a play was being made on him while he was impeded. Since this was Type 2 obstruction, because play was not being made on Koss, he had to stay at second.

After all the chaos ended, Wilmer Flores popped out to end the inning.

Giants’ closer Ryan Walker pitched a scoreless inning in the top of the ninth, and the Giants rallied against Shelby Miller in the bottom of the ninth.

Matt Chapman hit a base-hit to left with one out, and then Willy Adames hit a ground-rule double to left-center. After being down 8-2 back in the fourth inning, the Giants had the tying run in scoring position with one out in the bottom of the ninth.

Patrick Bailey, who came in for Huff to catch in the top of the inning, drew a walk to load the bases for Mike Yastrzemski. Yastrzemski struck out swinging, and Melvin sent in LaMonte Wade to pinch-hit for Villar. Wade walked, and Chapman scored to make it 8-7.

Now, the tying run was standing just 90 feet away at third, and the winning run was in scoring position at second. Up came Koss with a chance to be the hero. He took the first two pitches for strikes, and then he took two more pitches to work the count to 2-2. At the end, Koss flew out to center-fielder Alek Thomas in shallow right-center, and the Giants came up just short.

The Diamondbacks ended up taking the series, and it was a tough loss for the Giants. However, the fact that the Giants came back from down 8-2 to put the tying run at third in the ninth shows just how good, resilient and determined the 2025 Giants are. It was a tough loss, but the Giants should hold their heads high as they leave the ballpark and be ready to go against the A’s on Friday.

Eduardo Rodriguez only pitched four innings, so it was Ryan Thomas, who pitched the bottom of the fifth for the Diamondbacks, who got the win. Jordan Hicks took the loss, and Shelby Miller picked up his third save.

The Giants fall to 25-19, and they will get a day off on Thursday. On Friday, the Oakland/Sacramento A’s will come to Oracle Park for a three-game set. Giants’ ace Logan Well (4-3, 2.60 ERA) will take the ball in the series opener Friday night. The A’s have yet to announce their starter.

First pitch will be at 7:15 p.m.

Ray hangs in there for solid outing to stay undefeated, and Koss’ grand salami carries Giants to wild 10-6 win over Arizona

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San Francisco Giants Jung Hoo Lee (51) is congratulated by teammates Heliot Ramos (far left), Mike Yastrzemski (5) in the bottom of the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Tue May 13, 2025 (AP News photo)

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Arizona Diamondbacks 6 (22-21)

San Francisco Giants 10 (25-18)

Win: Robbie Ray (6-0)

Loss: Brandon Pfaat (6-3)

Time: 3:00

Attendance: 30,960

By Stephen Ruderman

Robbie Ray pitched solid innings after giving up a three-spot in the top of the first inning, and Christian Koss’ grand slam—also his first big league home run—in the bottom of the second propelled the Giants to a wild 10-6 win over the Diamondbacks.

The Giants came into Tuesday night losers of four-straight after Corbin Carroll hit a pair of home runs and Merrill Kelly further stymied the Giants’ offense in the series opener Monday night.

Tuesday night, the Giants had the perfect man on the mound to be the stopper. That was none other than Robbie Ray, who was 5-0. Even better, the Giants came in 8-0 in Ray’s starts this season.

It was Tuesday night, which meant the Giants would be playing their third game in their new funky city connect jerseys. The only bad news was that they were 0-2 in them. Either the Giants were going to lose their first game with Ray on the mound, or they were finally going to win their first game in their new musical threads.

Unfortunately, all signs pointed to the former early on. While Robbie Ray’s night started off nicely with a strike out of Katel Marte, base-hits by Corbin Carroll and the veteran outfielder, Randal Grichuk, put runners at the corners for Arizona with one out.

Eugenio Suarez came up and roped a double down the left field line to put the Diamondbacks on the board. Then up came Josh Naylor, who grounded a base-hit up the middle into center field, which knocked in a pair of runs.

The Diamondbacks had an early 3-0 lead, and they were looking for more. Naylor stole second base, and then he advanced to third on a two-out infield hit by Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Ray was on the ropes, but he was able to get Jordan Lawler to ground out to second, and at last, the inning was over. Ray had to throw 26 innings to get through the top of the first, and the three runs didn’t help either. However, despite their recent offensive struggles, the Giants have tended to respond to big innings by the other team.

Diamondbacks’ starter Brandon Pfaat threw a scoreless bottom of the first, but the Giants would have their response in the bottom of the second. Wilmer Flores started the inning with a base-hit, and Willy Adames drew a walk. LaMonte Wade flew out to right, which got Wilmer over to third, and Patrick Bailey loaded the bases.

Some people, including myself, have questioned Christian Koss’ role on the team. He had not been off to the best start, and he was seen by some as a waste of a roster spot. Last night, he knocked in the Giants’ only run with a two-out base-hit to right in the bottom of the fifth. Tuesday night, he was put in a big spot, as he stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded.

Koss took a sweeper down the pipe. Then he gulfed a sinker down and in, and he lined it to the first row of the bleachers out in left to suddenly put the Giants ahead. It was the big swing of the bat that the Giants had been lacking over the last few days. It also re-fired up the 30,960 at Oracle Park, who would make their presence known throughout the night.

The Giants had their big hit, and they had the lead. Meanwhile, Ray had settled down. After his laborious top of the first, he threw a scoreless top of the second, and a one, two, three top of the third.

The Giants threatened in the bottom of the third and fourth, but were unable to come through. The Giants threatened again in the bottom of the fifth, and this time, they were able to pad their lead. It happened with one out when Willy Adames gulfed a two-run home run in left to make it 6-3. Yeah, I know. It was the third home run in this series hit to the first row of the bleachers.

The Giants were not done. They proceeded to manufacture another run later in the inning. Wade and Koss each got base-hits, and Wade scored on a wild pitch.

Ray finished his night with a scoreless top of the sixth. Even after the three run top of the first, the rest of the night was not a cakewalk for Ray, but he hung in there to give his team six solid innings, which officially counts as a quality start. He also struck out nine. It wasn’t the greatest night for Ray, but it certainly was not a bad night.

Kyle Harrison, back up with the team in the bullpen, gave up a leadoff home run to Corbin Carroll in the top of the seventh. It was Carroll’s third home run of the series, and no, it went beyond the first row. It went into a tunnel beyond the wall in left-center, but it would have gone into the second, third or fourth row.

Harrison retired the next three to get through the top of the seventh. Camilo Doval found himself in trouble in the top of the eighth when the Diamondbacks loaded the bases with one out. Katel Marte hit a chopper back to the mound that Doval turned into a one, two, three double play. You don’t see those every day.

The Giants would add three more runs in the bottom of the eighth off left-hander Joe Mantiply. They all came on a three-run home run by Jung Hoo Lee, who was already somewhat the center of attention prior to the game on South Korean Heritage Night. Lee’s home run hit the green tin atop the 24-foot-high Willie Mays wall in right, so it technically didn’t even reach the first row.

Anyway, Lee’s home run made it 10-4. Naylor hit a two-run home run off Spencer Bivens in the top of the ninth to make it 10-6, but it would really be no problem. Gabriel Moreno grounded out to second to end it, and the Giants won it 10-6.

Robbie Ray gets the win and improves to 5-0. The Giants are now 9-0 in Ray’s starts this season. Brandon Pfaat got the loss.

The Giants get their 25th win to improve to 25-19. And before I forget, the Giants finally have their first win in the new city connects.

The Giants can take the series with a win in the matinee Wednesday at 12:45pm PDT. Jordan Hicks (1-4, 5.82 ERA) will go for the Giants. Countering Hicks for Arizona will be the veteran left-hander, Eduardo Rodriguez (1-3, 6.86 ERA).

First pitch will be at 12:45 p.m.

Carroll slaps two home runs, and Merrill Kelly further stymies Giants in 2-1 D-Backs win

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Arizona Diamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll, right, is congratulated by Ketel Marte (4) after hitting a home run against the San Francisco Giants during the third inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Monday, May 12, 2025.Jeff Chiu/AP

Monday, May 12, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Arizona Diamondbacks 2 (22-20)

San Francisco Giants 1 (24-18)

Win: Merrill Kelly (4-2)

Loss: Justin Verlander (0-6)

Save: Shelby Miller (2)

Time: 2:17

Attendance: 27,387

By Stephen Ruderman

The San Francisco Giants’ woes from Minnesota followed them home; Merrill Kelly further stymied the Giants’ offense, and Corbin Carroll hit a pair of home runs to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 2-1 in the series opener, as the Giants have now lost four games in a row for the first time this season.

After taking two of three from a hot Cubs’ team in Chicago, the Giants were halted in their tracks, and swept by the even-hotter Minnesota Twins over the weekend. It was the first time the Giants were swept this season. However, the Giants’ offense was also stymied over the weekend, as they wasted key opportunities.

The Giants had to put it behind them as they returned home to take on their division rivals, the Arizona Diamondbacks, for the first time this season. Arizona came in after splitting an epic four-game series with the Dodgers down in Phoenix.

It took Justin Verlander nine starts to get his first world series win. Through eight starts as a Giant here in 2025, he had yet to get a win. As he took the ball on this semi-foggy night for his ninth start of the year, you just had to think that he was due.

Verlander escaped some trouble in the top of the first inning, and the Giants came up against Diamondbacks’ starter Merrill Kelly in the bottom of the first. Other than a brutal start on April 3 at Yankee Stadium, in which he gave up nine runs, Kelly has been off to a solid start, and he would dominate tonight.

Kelly began his night with a scoreless bottom of the first. He then threw a one, two, three inning in the bottom of the second.

Corbin Carroll basically slapped an opposite-field home run to the first row of the bleachers in left to lead off the top of the third. Kelly then followed that up with another one, two, three inning in the bottom of the third.

Verlander had to pitch through another jam in the top of the fourth, and the Giants had their first rally of the night against Kelly in the bottom of the fourth. The red-hot Heliot Ramos reached on an infield hit with one out, and Jung Hoo Lee flipped a base-hit to right to move Ramos down to third.

The Giants were in a perfect spot to respond and tie the game. However, they had wasted a lot of opportunities over the weekend in Minneapolis, and that would carry over into Monday night. Wilmer Flores proceeded to ground into an inning-ending double play, and the Giants were unable to get on the board.

That wasted opportunity came back to burn the Giants, as Carol hit his second home run of the night in the top of the fifth to make it 2-0. Willy Adames led off the bottom of the fifth with a double, as the Giants looked to respond. However, Kelly retired the next two, and the Giants were about to waste another rally.

Fortunately, Christian Koss came up with two outs, and lined a base-hit to right. Adames scored to put the Giants on the board, but Koss was tagged out on a rundown between first and second base.

Verlander pitched through some more trouble in the top of the sixth. After giving up a leadoff base-hit to Geraldo Perdomo in the top of the seventh, his night was over.

Verlander had a rough time Monday night, as he didn’t throw any one, two, three innings, and he gave up nine hits. However, he hung in there, and he was able to prevent the Giants’ bullpen from being taxed Monday night. Unfortunately, Verlander once again just could not get any run support, and as a result, he still remains winless through nine starts.

To give credit to the Giants, they kept coming, just as they always have this season. After Kelly threw a scoreless inning in the bottom of the sixth, Wilmer Flores led off the bottom of the seventh with a base-hit to left, and Patrick Bailey singled him over to second with one out.

However, Kelly struck out Luis Matos, and he got Koss to pop out to second to end the inning. It was another wasted opportunity for the Giants.

Tyler Rogers pitched a one, two, three inning in the top of the eighth, and Mike Yastrzemski drew a walk off Jalen Beeks to start off the bottom of the eighth. Matt Chapman struck out swinging, and then Ramos engaged Beeks in a lengthy duel.

The count went full to 3-2, and then Ramos fouled off four-straight pitches. The longer an at-bat goes, the more it swings in favor of the hitter. Ramos was getting a real feel for the pitches Beeks was throwing, and it seemed to frustrate the latter.

The 11th pitch of the at-bat was a changeup on the inside and at the knees that Ramos put perfect wood on and rocketed to left-center. However, it was right in the vicinity of left-fielder Lourdes Gurriel. Gurriel had to make a weird and clunky leap, but he was somehow able to catch it.

That was a real blow to the Giants. Randy Rodriguez threw a one, two, three inning in the top of the ninth, but Shelby Miller came in and shut the Giants down with a one, two, three inning in the ninth to end it.

Merrill Kelly was rewarded with his valiant eight-strikeout performance with the win. Justin Verlander was tagged with the loss, and he falls to 0-3. Shelby Miller picked up his second save, as the Diamondbacks have been going with the closer by committee strategy this season.

The Giants have now lost four in a row for the first time this season, as they fall to 24-18.

The good news is that the Giants have the undefeated Robbie Ray (5-0, 2.84 ERA) going Tuesday night. The even better news is that the Giants are 8-0 in Rays’ starts this season. Though, I guess the bad news is that the Giants are 0-2 in their new city connect jerseys, which they of course wear every Tuesday night at Oracle Park. Something will have to give.

Final Thoughts:

So, the Giants have lost four in a row for the first time this season. The offense is also struggling, as they have wasted a lot of opportunities the last few days.

The Giants are in a legitimate slump for the first time this season, and they are going to be tested. I get that after being mostly-abysmal in key RBI situations over the last three years, people are going to get upset and freak out when they consistently waste opportunities.

However, a big difference between this year and the last three years is that other than the last few days, the Giants’ offense has been money in key RBI situations this season. They also never give up, even now during their slump. They kept fighting Monday night. They made Merrill Kelly have to work in the bottom of the seventh, and of course Heliot Ramos got 11 pitches out of Jalen Beeks in an epic at-bat in the bottom of the eighth.

This is the third year I’ve been covering the Giants, and another thing that stands out between this year’s team and those of the last three years is that the 2025 Giants are a team on a mission. Over the course of the 162-grind, teams are going to slump. It happens. It’s never fun, and they are going to be tested, but I fully expect them to stay the course and fight through it.

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic: Diamondbacks-Giants both playing .500 ball open series tonight at Oracle Park

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San Francisco Giants baserunner Heliot Ramos (right) gets down for the slide and Minnesota Twins shortstop Brooks Lee (left) waits for the throw for the out in the top of the sixth inning at Target Field in Minneapolis on Sun May 11, 2025 (AP News photo)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic:

#1 Minnesota Twins DeShawn Keirsey Jr base hit single scored the Twins game winning run in the bottom of the tenth inning to help beat the San Francisco Giants at Target Field in Minneapolis on Sunday 7-6.

#2 The Giants caught a hot Twins team, they got swept and the Twins ended up winning their eighth straight game.

#3 The Giants added a run against Minnesota pitcher Jhoan Duran in the top of the tenth to make it 6-5. It was the last of the tenth that ghost runner Ty France advanced to third base on Brooks Lee’s single that scored Ryan Jeffers’ ground out. The Twins got an intentional walk and a groundout and then DaShawn Keirsey hit a line drive down the left field line off reliever Ryan Walker for the 7-6 win.

#4 Marko, talk about how frustrating things can get as Giants manager Bob Melvin was thrown out for arguing a check swing call. Melvin knowing the Giants have lost the first two games of the series up to that point was not too satisfied with some of the calls that the hitters were getting.

#5 Giants open up a new series against the Arizona Diamondbacks this time at Oracle Park in San Francisco where they Giants have had some success. Starting pitcher for the Diamondbacks RHP Merrill Kelly (3-2 ERA 4.09) for the Giants RHP Justin Verlander (0-2 ERA 4.50) first pitch 6:45pm PDT

Join Marko Ukalovic for Giants podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants Get Swept By Minnesota in Tenth Inning 7-6

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San Francisco Giants Heliot Ramos praises the good Lord for his home run in the top of the fourth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field in Minneapolis on Sun May 11, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (24-17) got swept by the Minnesota Twins (21-20) losing game three in ten innings 7-6. San Francisco had their bats working today and led for the first five innings of this game. The Giants had 9 hits in the game but the Twins were on task with 13 hits. Trailing going into the bottom of the tenth inning, the Twins had to come from behind for the walk-off.

Game recap: The Giants got game three off with a bang taking a 1-0 lead much the same as Saturday but Sunday there was something different; the San Francisco bats were connecting. They started the first inning going in the right direction.

Heliot Ramos hit a sacrifice and Mike Yastrzemski scored from third for the early lead. The Giants would add to their lead in the fourth inning when again Ramos connected, this time a two run home run taking a 3-0 lead.

Just when it was looking great for the Giants, the Twins checked in with a two run home run off the bat of Brooks Lee in the fourth inning driving in Trevor Larnach with San Francisco still leading 3-2.

The Giants got an insurance run in the fifth inning when the other Lee, Jung Hoo, hit a sacrifice fly and Yastrzemski scored from third base after advancing on a balk. Through five innings the Giants were really hitting.

Lee who had been quiet the past few games already had two hits and Matt Chapman was also having a good game. Ramos was having a killer game offensively hitting the home run in the fourth inning while also making some amazing diving catches robbing the Twins of hits.

After five innings the Giants struck again in the fifth inning when Lee sacrificed and Yastrzemski scored for a 4-2 tally. The Twins answered in the bottom of the fifth when another sacrifice drove a base runner over home plate. Byron Buxton hit the sacrifice and Kody Clemens scored. Going into the sixth inning the score was 4-3 in favor of the Giants.

The Giants starting pitcher Landon Roupp was relieved in the sixth inning by Erik Miller. Roupp had pitched five innings allowing six hits, three runs, no walks and three strikeouts. Roupp had three really good innings to start the game and gave up the three runs in the fourth and fifth innings.

Miller struggled from the start of the sixth inning. With no outs, the Twins had loaded the bases getting hits from Brooks Lee and Will Castro with Ryan Jeffers walking. Royce Lewis came to the plate and singled, Lee scored and this game was tied 4-4 still with no outs.

The Twins already had nine hits in this game. This was it for Miller and he was relieved by Camilo Doval. Doval’s first pitch resulted in San Francisco’s first out of the inning at home plate saving the go-ahead run.

The Giants got their second out at second base but Castro scored from third base taking their first lead of the game 5-4. With the bases still loaded San Francisco’s Doval got out of the inning, striking out Buxton and coming away with minimal damage.

The Giants had some coming back to do going into the seventh inning. San Francisco was facing a very solid pitcher in the Twins Louis Varland. Varland had a great inning retiring the Giants in order in this very close game. The Twins would face a new relief pitcher for the Giants Hayden Birdsong who has a nice mix of balls. Birdsong gave up a double to start the inning but got a strikeout for the third out getting out of the inning.

Willy Adames got his first hit of the series , a single, to start the eighth inning. Matt Chapman had his second hit of the game and the Giants had runners at first and second with Ramos at the plate.

Ramos came through big time hitting the ball hard and Adames scored tying up the game 5-5. With only one out, San Francisco had runners at the corners. The Giants could not take advantage of the scoring possibility and it was on to the ninth inning after the Twins were unable to take the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning.

The Giants had led for most of the game and were now fighting for this game. San Francisco went quietly in the ninth inning. Tyler Rogers would take the mound looking to keep the Twins off the scoreboard. Rogers struck out the top of the Twins batting order, Buxton, Larnach and France as this game went into extra innings.

One of the best closers in the game today Jhoan Duran took the mound for the Twins facing Chapman, Ramos and David Villar. Chapman singled with Lee advancing to third. Villar who has not had a lot of at bats came through grounding out but allowing Lee to score giving San Francisco a 6-5 lead. Wilmer Flores struck out for the third out. The Twins had one last inning to at least tie up this game.

Ryan Walker came into the game to try and close out the game for the Giants. San Francisco got the first out of the inning at first base but France scored from third to tie up the game 6-6. Lightning struck when Dashawn Keirsey Jr. singled and Brooks Lee scored for the walk off 7-6.

Game notes: After losing the first two games of their series with the Twins, the Giants came into this game with one purpose in mind and that is to avoid the sweep. The Giants have not been swinging the bats very well. They had three hits in the first game and four in the second game and needed more to win the third game.

The Giants while they scored six runs and a two run 6-5 lead going to the bottom of the tenth inning couldn’t get closer Ryan Walker to close the door on the Twins. Walker allowed one earned run and two hits as the Twins scored twice in a walk off to sweep the Giants on Sunday.

This was a tough loss for San Francisco in game three compounded with getting swept in this series. The Giants will now head back to San Francisco and try to regroup and prepare to take on the Arizona Diamondbacks in a three-game series that will get underway Monday evening. Justin Verlander (0-2 ERA 4.50) will take the mound for San Francisco and the Diamondbacks will start Merrill Kelly (3-2 ERA 4.09). First pitch for the game is scheduled for 6:45 PM.

Lack of Hitting Hurts Giants in Second Loss to Twins 2-1

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San Francisco Giants starter Logan Webb pitching in the bottom of the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field in Minneapolis on Sat May 10, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants lost game two of their series with the Minnesota Twins 2-1 Sunday. Again there was not a lot of hitting going on, in fact only one hit more than Saturday’s game with four hits. Heliot Ramos did hit a solo home run but some stellar pitching from the Twins did not give up much else. Both starting pitchers had solid efforts, Logan Webb finishing seven innings.

Game recap: The Giants got on the scoreboard in the second inning taking a 1-0 lead. Heliot Ramos hit a home run to left centerfield, a solo shot.

The Twins not only tied up the game but took the lead in the bottom of the third inning. They answered with a long ball of their own off the bat of Trevor Larnach with Christian Vazquez on base taking a 2-1 lead.

Neither team would score through the next three innings with the Twins hanging onto the slim 2-1 lead. The Twins starting pitcher Joe Ryan finished six innings allowing only 2 hits and one run. He had seven strikeouts and 2 line-outs. Griffin Jax would relieve him in the seventh inning plowing through Jung Hoo Lee, Matt Chapman and Wilmer Flores, the upper echelon of the Giants starting lineup.

The Giants starter Logan Webb also had a nice outing pitching seven innings allowing four hits and two runs. He finished with eight strikeouts, ten ground outs and two flyouts. He got into a bit of trouble in the seventh giving up a single to Castro who was thrown out trying to reach second. Harrison Bader hit a double with two outs in the inning but Webb struck out the next at bat Christian Vasquez and getting out of the inning.

The Twins Cole Sands relieved Griffin Jax in the eighth immediately giving up a double to Heliot Ramos and the Giants had a bit of a rally that was soon to be extinguished. LaMonte Wade Jr. lined out and Ramos advanced to third and with one out the Giants had a great opportunity to tie up the game. Disaster hit when Ramos was picked off at third after taking a sizable lead. Patrick Bailey popped out for the third out and San Francisco was three outs away from losing game two.

San Francisco relief pitcher Randy Rodriquez relieved Webb in the bottom of the eighth dismissing the top of the Minnesota batting order Byron Buxton, Trevor Larnach and Ty France in that order. The Giants were down to their last three outs.

San Francisco got the ninth inning going with a Christian Koss bunt . The top of the Giant’s batting order Mike Yastrzemski hit into a double play and Willy Adames struck out for the third out and that was the ball game 2-1 in favor of Minnesota back to .500 with this win. The Twins Jhoan Duran closed the game beautifully for the Twins.

Game notes: After a less than memorable offensive effort in Saturday’s game one, the Giants were looking for a whole lot more wood on the ball in game two of their series with the Minnesota Twins. They managed only 3 hits in game one and that will not win very many ball games.

San Francisco starter Logan Webb pitched seven innings allowing five hits and two runs, one walk and nine strikeouts but didn’t get the run support. The Twins starter Joe Ryan threw for six innings giving up two hits, one run, and struck out seven batters.

The Giants will be back at it Sunday in game three trying to avoid a sweep. Landen Roupp will take the mound for San Francisco with a 2-3 win/loss record with 4.93 ERA. The Giants have to start generating a lot more offense falling pretty flat so far in this series. The Twins will start Pablo Lopez (3-2 ERA 2.18) looking for a sweep with first pitch scheduled for 11:10 AM PDT .

Giants Lose First Game of Series To Twins 3-1

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Jordan Hicks pitches against the Minnesota Twins in the bottom of the first inning at Target Field in Minneapolis on Fri May 9, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (24-15) lost the first game of their series with the Minnesota Twins (19-20) 3-1. It was a disappointing game for the Giants having only three hits in the entire game. Matt Chapman hit a solo home run but that would be the only run of the game for San Francisco. The Giant’s bats were just not connecting at all in Friday’s game in a lackluster effort from San Francisco.

Game recap: The Twins scored the first run of the game in the first inning taking a 1-0 lead. Trevor Larnach singled lead-off hitter Byron Buxton home and the Twins would continue to add to their lead in the fourth inning. Carlos Correa singled Ty France home but was thrown out at second base stretching. After four innings the Twins had a 2-0 lead.

Minnesota tacked on one more run onto to their tally scoring another run in the fifth inning. Buxton singled ( his second hit of the game) and Harrison Bader was able to reach home plate on a Heliot Ramos fielding error taking a 3-0 lead.

Minnesota’s Chris Paddack was having a solid game while the Giant’s Jordan Hicks had already allowed seven hits. Going into the top of the seventh inning San Francisco had some work to do. Hicks was relieved in the bottom of the seventh inning after having pitched six innings. He was relieved by Kyle Harrison.

The Giant’s were able to get up on the scoreboard in the seventh inning when Matt Chapman hit a solo home run to left center. San Francisco had pulled to within two runs, 3-1. This season San Francisco had been having some success coming from behind but they were running out of time having only two more innings to do so in this game.

The Twins threatened in the bottom of the seventh inning. Harrison Bader stole second base and with two outs and the top of the Minnesota batting order was on deck and coming to the plate. Byron Buxton was intentionally walked and another score rested on Trevor Larnach. San Francisco relief pitcher Kyle Harrison struck him out and it was on to the eighth inning.

The Giants desperately needed some hits with only two more innings left to make any sort of impact. With only three hits in the game, the San Francisco offense was really struggling. Besides the Chapman home run, only Heliot Ramos and Christian Koss had hits both of them singles. Minnesota starting pitcher Chris Paddack had a great 7.1 innings with Louis Varland finishing off the eighth inning. Paddack went three and out in the first five innings of the game.

San Francisco relief pitcher Harrison had a great couple of innings dismissing the Twins in the bottom of the eighth inning and the Giants were three outs away from losing the first game of this series.

The Twins Danny Coulombe would try and close the game for Minnesota. He has not allowed a run this season. Mike Yastrzemski and Willy Adames both struck out and Jung Hoo Lee flied out and that was the ball game with Minnesota winning the first game of the series 3-1. Twins pitcher Chris Paddack had finally won his first game of the season.

Game notes: After winning their last series beating the Cubs the Giants traveled to Minnesota to take on the Twins. The Giants couldn’t get enough offense to take this first game of the series and lost by a two run margin. The Twins had a great series to start the week sweeping the Baltimore Orioles, coming into this game with a lot of confidence. That confidence carried over as the Twins starter Paddock had a three hitter going into the eighth inning on Friday night.

Saturday’s game will feature San Francisco’s Logan Webb on the mound. He has a 4-2 win/loss record and a 2.61 ERA. The Twins will be looking to win another game in this series starting Joe Ryan. He has a 2-2 win/loss record and a 2.93. Two very good pitchers should make this game a good one. San Francisco will be looking to get their offense going and tie up this series. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 4:15 PM.

San Francisco Giants podcast Morris Phillips: Giants close out road trip in Minnesota Friday

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San Francisco Giants Wilmer Flores celebrates with teammates after scoring on a Christian Koss single in the top of the fourth inning at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Wed May 7, 2025 (AP News photo)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast Morris Phillips:

#1 San Francisco Giants pitcher Robbie Ray had another brilliant outing going six innings, allowing three hits and one run, two walks and five strike outs in the Giants win over the Chicago Cubs 3-1.

#2 Ray picked up his second win in a row on Wednesday he’s rolling. Relief pitcher Camilo Doval and Tyler Rogers retired three hitters amongst them to open the door for closer Ryan Walker who finished off the Cubs for the win.

#3 Talking about Walker he picked up his seventh save so it looks like thing are coming together?

#4 The Giants had that wild game last Tuesday night scoring nine runs in the top of the 11th inning to defeat the Cubs 14-5. The bats are making noise.

#5 San Francisco heads to Minnesota to open a three game series on Friday. at Target Field in Minneapolis. The Giants are just 1.5 game back of the first place Los Angeles Dodgers. Starting pitcher for the Giants Friday Jordan Hicks (1-3 ERA 6.03). The Twins are fourth in the AL Central at 17-20. How do you see this series?

Join Morris Phillips for the San Francisco Giants podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Robbie Ray Pitches His Way to Fifth Win As Giants Beat Cubs 3-1

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San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin (right) congratulates starting pitcher Robbie Ray (left) as he returns to the dugout after the first inning after retiring the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Wed May 7, 2025

By Barbara Mason

After playing a crazy game Tuesday night winning in 11 innings and scoring nine runs in the 11th the Giants picked up where they left off winning game three 3-1 beating the Chicago Cubs.

The Giants did win the series losing game one but taking the next two games. San Francisco starting pitcher Robbie Ray continued the stellar play we have seen from him all season.

He has not lost a game this season and now has a 5-0 win/loss record. Wilmer Flores had an exceptional game with three hits one RBI and one run in four at bats.

Game recap: The Giants picked up where they left off Tuesday night taking an early 1-0 lead in the first inning. It was really good to see Wilmer Flores single driving Mike Yastrzemski home and putting the Cubs on notice from the beginning of the game.

The Giants extended their lead scoring a couple more runs in the fourth inning taking a 3-0 lead. Matt Chapman led off the inning with a walk followed by another single off the bat of Flores. LaMonte Wade Jr. doubled Chapman home from second base and a 2-0 lead. Christian Koss singled Flores home but Wade Jr. was thrown out at home plate in an effort to score a third run in the inning.

The Cubs were able to get up on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth inning. Pete Crow-Armstrong doubled Nico Hoerner home for the one run and that would be the only run the Cubs were able to generate for the remainder of the game. The final was 3-1 in favor of the Giants winning the series for San Francisco. The Giants finished the game with nine hits and the Cubs had only four.

Giant’s starting pitcher Ray was spotless in fact the team has not lost a game with him on the mound. He finished six innings allowing three hits, one run, two walks with five strikeouts. Camilo Doval, Tyler Rogers and Ryan Walker relieved and closed out this game. Walker allowed one hit but that was all Chicago could get off some great San Francisco relief pitching. Ray now has a 5-0 win/loss record and a 2.84 ERA. He has been a major bright spot for San Francisco this season.

Game notes: After a crazy four-hour extra innings game Tuesday the Giants finished up their series with the Cubs with a series win taking two out of three games. After losing game one in the series on Monday 9-2, the Giants turned it all around in game two on Tuesday scoring the most runs in a single inning in Wrigley Field history with nine.

The 11th inning was the straw that broke the camel’s back as San Francisco crossed home plate nine times to win the game 14-5.

The question was answered; how will the Giants come into game three after the offensive display we saw yesterday they didn’t score nine runs in one inning but ended up getting a two run 3-1 win. As the Giants get a satisfying two out of three game series win at Wrigley.

The Giants have now won their eighth series this season as they leave the windy city and head for a series with the Minnesota Twins. The probably pitcher for the Giants will be RHP Jordan Hicks (1-3 ERA 6.03) and the RHP Twins Bailey Ober (4-1 ERA 3.72) will get the nod. The temperatures are expected to soar into the mid-eighties so toasty but void of the wind the Giants had to contend with in Chicago a 5:10pm PDT first pitch.