Category: San Francisco Giants

San Francisco Suffers Another Loss; Swept By Tigers 4-3; Road trip continues for SF Friday in Miami

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Detroit Tigers third base coach Joey Cora (left) has got a good idea that Detroit Tigers Jake Rogers (right) has got the throw and tag beat ahead of San Francisco Giants third baseman in bottom of the fifth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Wed May 28, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason
Despite a more productive offense, the San Francisco Giants (31-25) got swept by the Detroit Tigers (37-20) losing game three 4-3 on Wednesday.

Giants Heliot Ramos had the only home run of the game which scored two runs. Taking a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the fifth inning, the Giants were looking pretty good. It all came crashing down when the Tigers put four runs up on the scoreboard in the fifth taking the 4-3 lead that would be the final.

Game recap: San Francisco got those bats working in the second inning with a couple of hits. Matt Chapman doubled to open the inning and LaMonte Wade Jr. doubled driving in Chapman for the early 1-0 lead. The score remained 1-0 going into the fifth inning.

More hits for the Giants came in the fifth when Ramos homered with Mike Yastrzemski on board to extend their lead to 3-0 in a much improved offensive effort mid-way through the game. Through five innings the Giants already had five hits and with the 3-0 lead looked to be in control of this game.

The Tigers turned this entire game upside down in the bottom of the fifth inning as eight Detroit batters came to the plate. A couple of runs scored when Colt Keith doubled Jake Rogers and Kerry Carpenter home in a Detroit rally that was just getting started with no outs.

The Tigers would tack on another two runs to take the lead 4-3 when Justyn -Henry Malloy singled Gleyber Torres and Colt Keith home. The San Francisco 3-0 lead had been extinguished in a single inning.

This game went into the ninth inning with the Tigers continuing to lead 4-3. It became a pitchers duel as neither had scored through three innings. It came down to the top of the ninth and the Giants had one last chance to salvage the game.

It was quick and painful for San Francisco in the inning. Ramos struck out, Wilmer Flores flied out and Jung Hoo Lee ground out and that was the ballgame with the Tigers sweeping the Giants winning the game 4-3.

The Giants had more production at the plate with ten hits in the game outhitting the Tigers 11- 7. The problem for San Francisco was the number of runners in scoring position that failed to score. They had nine players in scoring position coming away with only one run.

Lack of opportunity was not the problem for the Giants today because they had a multitude of chances to score. While the Tigers were outplayed in the game they were able to hang onto the lead for the one-run win.

The hero of the game for the Tigers was closer Tommy Kahnle who pitched the final two innings. He finished the game with no hits, no runs, no walks and two strikeouts.

Roupp lasted four innings for San Francisco and was relieved by Randy Rodriguez for a couple of innings. Ramos and Chapman each had three hits and LaMonte Wade Jr. has really stepped it up lately with a couple of hits.

It was another really tough game for the Giants. Three Tiger runners reached first base after being hit and so there was a lot going on for San Francisco that attributed to this loss.

Game notes: Wednesday afternoon the Giants finished up their series with the Tigers swept after losing games one and two by 3-1 scores and losing by a run on Wednesday 4-3. San Francisco continued to struggle at the plate in both Monday and Tuesday games and needed more production offensively in Wednesday’s game.

Giants starting pitcher Roupp went four innings pitched allowed five hits and an earned run. The Tigers scored three more unearned runs. All four of the Detroit runs came in the bottom of the fifth inning and that was all they needed to win the game. Tiger starter Jobe Jackson went 4.2 innings, allowing seven hits and three earned runs for the win.

The Giants will take a travel day off Thursday before taking on the Miami Marlins on Friday for a three game series. Probable pitcher for San Francisco will be Kyle Harrison with a 0-1, 3.86 ERA. The Marlins will start Cal Quantrill who comes into the game with a 3-4 win/loss record and a 6.09 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 4:10 PM.

Lack of Hitting Continues to Plague Giants Losing to Detroit 3-1 in Game Two

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San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin gets into it with umpire Tom Randazzo after getting kicked out of the game in the top of the fifth inning against the Detroit Tigers on Tue May 27, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Game Two between the San Francisco Giants (31-24) and the Detroit Tigers (36-20) looked very much like game one. The Giants only scored in one inning, the ninth inning , after the Tigers had taken a 3-0 lead after the three opening innings.

It was another tough loss for pitcher Logan Webb. He did strikeout ten batters but the Giants continued to struggle at the plate, they’re bats on standby for some time now as they continue to search for answers in a 3-1 loss at Comerica Park in Detroit on Tuesday night.

A windy day in Detroit were the conditions that the Giants had to deal with on Tuesday of their series with the Tigers. San Francisco lost Monday by the score of 3-1.

In game after game, the Giants have not had a great deal of offense despite continuing to win games here and there. It is starting to catch up with them as the lost again on Tuesday and they have to figure this out as their win/loss record continues to plummet.

The Giants starter Logan Webb just couldn’t hold those Tigers pitching six innings allowing seven hits, and all of the Tigers three runs was all they needed. Starting pitcher for the Tigers Jack Flaherty got the win pitching six innings allowing just two hits, no earned runs, one walk and struck eight.

This game did not go as planned for the Giants. The Tigers scored in the first three innings to take a 3-0 lead. Riley Greene doubled in the first inning to get started for Detroit and Gleyber Torres scored on that hit for the early 1-0 lead.

It did not stop there. Wenceel Perez came to the plate and homered in his first at-bat in his season debut, a solo home run, extending the Detroit lead to 2-0. In the third inning Riley Greene had his second hit of the game, a single, driving in Colt Keith for a 3-0 lead. Detroit would not score for the rest of the game.

The Giants trailed early but there were still six innings of baseball left for a comeback. While the Giants had a lot of game left their problematic woes at the plate persisted and they did not score a single run through the first eight innings.

They finally got up on the scoreboard in the ninth inning but it was far too little too late. Wilmer Flores, who has been consistently good at the plate doubled Heliot Ramos home for the only run San Francisco would score in the game. The final was 3-1 in favor of Detroit as the Tigers took a 2-0 lead in the series looking for a sweep Wednesday.

Tiger pitcher Jack Flaherty threw six scoreless innings. He finished allowing two hits, a walk and eight strikeouts. His ERA improved to 3.94 as the Tigers won their third game in a row. He retired the last 11 batters he faced before being relieved by Chase Lee.

It was another tough game for San Francisco starting pitcher Logan Webb. He allowed seven hits, three runs, one walk and ten strikeouts through six innings. He was relieved by Tristan Beck who finished the game in the losing effort. Manager Bob Melvin was ejected in the fifth inning for arguing balls and strikes. All-around it was a rough outing for the Giants.

Wednesday, game three will be played with the Giants fighting to avoid a sweep. The Giants will start Landon Roupp who comes in with a 3-3 win/loss record and a 3.63 ERA. Jackson Jobe will take the mound for the Tigers with a 4-1 win/loss record and a 4.06 ERA. This will be a very tough assignment for San Francisco if they continue to struggle offensively. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 10:10 AM.

San Francisco Offense Remains Stagnant Losing to Tigers 3-1

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Matt Chapman provided the only offense for the San Francisco Giants scoring the team’s only run in the top of the sixth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Mon May 26, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (31-23) started off their three game series with the Detroit Tigers (35-20) on Memorial Day but this day was anything but memorable for the Giants losing 3-1. Again the team struggled at the plate coming away with only five hits in the game. The only players with hits were the threesome of Wilmer Flores, Jung Hoo Lee and Matt Chapman. It was a lackluster offensive game for San Francisco.

Game recap: It was a quiet start for both teams through the first three innings. The first team up on the scoreboard was Detroit in the bottom of the fourth inning taking a 1-0 lead. Dillon Dingler singled Colt Keith home. Detroit struck again in the bottom of the fifth inning, this time for two runs extending their lead to 3-0. Riley Greene singled both Kerry Carpenter and Gleyber Torres home and the Tigers were off and running.

San Francisco continued to struggle at the plate finally getting up on the scoreboard in the sixth inning, a single run. Flores singled to center and Chapman scored and the Giants were back in the game but still trailing 3-1.

Flores along with Lee and Chapman were having a good game despite very few hits across the board. Taking the early lead was monumental for the Tigers forcing the Giants to play catchup for the rest of the game. The Tigers have been especially good at home and this game was proving no different.

The Giants pitching was keeping the Giants in the game but the poor hitting was hurting them. Neither team would score for the remainder of the game; the final was 3-1 in favor of the Tigers. San Francisco had horrible offense finishing with only five hits and loading the bases several times in the early innings didn’t help either.

Only three Giants had hits and they are going to have to snap out of it. Flores brought in the only run the Giants had in the game. Flores had 2 hits, Lee had two and Chapman one. San Francisco is connecting at the plate but it has been a collection of fly outs, line outs and ground outs not to mention the mounting errors.

Game notes: The Giants kicked off the unofficial start of summer on the road taking on the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. It was a sunny 67 degrees at first pitch. a perfect day for enjoying a holiday baseball game. The Giants were coming off a successful series with the Nationals winning yesterdays game, a close one, 3-2.

The Tigers lost their last series with the Guardians but did win their last game with Cleveland 5-0. The American League Central leaders will be looking to get back on track in this series. They have a very deep lineup which plays very well offensively. The Giants have been struggling with a very quiet offense. They have been winning despite quiet bats but starting to connect would enhance everything for the Giants.

Tuesday in game two the Tigers will be even tougher than in game one. They are back on track winning their second game in a row in a stadium where they have been hard to beat. Logan Webb who has not been very good on the road will try to get a win for the Giants Tuesday and tie up the series.

He struggled in his last outing and will be looking to clean things up. He has a 5-4 win/loss record and a 2.67 ERA. The Tigers will start Jack Flaherty who also struggled in his last outing. He has a 2-6 win/loss record and an ERA of 4.39. First pitch for Tuesday’s game is scheduled for 3:40 PM.

in the only run the Giants scored in the game.

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic: Giants win sixth of last ten; Head to Detroit to open 3 game series Monday

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San Francisco Giants Willy Adames (left) and Mike Yastrzemski (right) are lighter than air after their win over the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park in Washington DC on Sun May 25, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic:

#1 San Francisco Giants starter Robbie Ray pitched six effective innings to pick up his seventh win against no loses for the season in a 3-2 win over the Washington Nationals on Sunday.

#2 The Giants Sam Huff provided some offense with a home run and it was enough to get by the Washington Nationals. The Giants taking two out of three in Washington.

#3 The Nats CJ Abrams let the bottom of the ninth off with a double off closer Ryan Walker and James Wood picked up an RBI with a one out double scoring Abrams. Walker ended up retiring the next two hitters and picked up his tenth save of the season.

#4 Marko at the rate that Ray is pitching he could be a Cy Young candidate. Ray is the second Giant in the last 30 years to start a season at 7-0 the last to do it was Kevin Gausman in 2021.

#5 Next up for the Giants it’s off to the Motor City and the Detroit Tigers on Monday. The Giants will be starting RHP Hayden Birdsong 2-0 ERA 1.91 for the Tigers Keider Montrero (1-1 ERA 5.28) first pitch 10:10 AM PDT at Comerica Park in Detroit.

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

Giants Win Series Over the Nationals 3-2; SF’s Ray stays perfect at 7-0

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Robbie Ray pitches to the Washington Nationals line up in the bottom of the third inning at Nationals Park in Washington DC on Sun May 25, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Despite having a fairly quiet offensive game, the San Francisco Giants beat the Washington Nationals 3-2. San Francisco pitcher Robbie Ray went six innings and continued his brilliant play picking up his seventh win against no loses. A lot of credit to the San Francisco bullpen which is the best in baseball right now and has been a huge part of their success.

Game recap: San Francisco got their bats working early taking a 1-0 lead into the second inning. Willy Adames grounded out to the pitcher allowing Wilmer Flores to score for the first run of the game and the San Francisco 1-0 lead.

The Giants carried the offensive momentum into the third inning scoring two more runs and taking a 3-0 lead. Sam Huff hit a home run to left center for the first third inning run. San Francisco extended that lead off a Heliot Ramos ground out sending Michael Yastrzemski home for the 3-0 tally.

The Nationals scored their first run of the game on a Ray wild pitch in the third inning. Nasim Nunez got the Nationals up on the scoreboard with the Giants still leading 3-1.

San Francisco did not score for the rest of the game coming away with only five hits as they continue to struggle offensively. They stubbornly hung onto the 3-1 lead going into the ninth inning. The Nationals threatened in the bottom of the ninth inning.

The Giant’s Ryan Walker was the closer in the game giving up two hits and one run. The Nationals James Woods doubled in the ninth inning and CJ Abrams scored their second run threatening to at least tie up this game. After Walker gave up two doubles, he shut Washington down getting out of the inning closing out the game with a 3-2 San Francisco win and also a series win.

Despite the win in this game, the Giants continue to look for more success offensively. The home runs have quieted down and the bats have been sluggish. While a win is a win, San Francisco needs to start closing out games with a lot more hits.

As expected Ray was brilliant on the mound with his contagious energy and solid pitching.

Game notes: Sunday afternoon the Giants wrapped up their series with the Nationals. After being shut out in Saturday’s game 3-0 the Giants were looking for a whole lot more offense but just got enough to win it on Sunday.

In game two on Saturday San Francisco only had three hits while the National’s had eight. Giant starter Robbie Ray whose been excellent all season pitched six innings, gave up three hits, one earned run and struck seven with an ERA of 2.56 was the winner now 7-0. Nationals starter Michael Soroka pitched six innings allowing five hits, three earned runs, one walk, and two strike outs for the loss.

The Giants will now take the energy from this series win into Detroit on Monday where they will face the Tigers in a three game series in what will be three challenging matchups. The Tigers are second in all of baseball with a great pitching staff. San Francisco will have to get the bats going. They will start Hayden Birdsong (2-0 ERA 1.91) while the Tigers will send Keider Montero coming into this game with a 1-1 win/loss record and a 5.28 ERA. First pitch for this Memorial Day matchup is scheduled for an early start 10:10 AM.

San Francisco Musters Little Offense Losing Game Two to the Nationals in a 3-0 Shutout

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James Wood puts good wood on the baseball for a two run home run for the Washington Nationals against the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the first inning at Nationals Park in Washington DC on Sat May 24, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (30-22) lost game two in their series with the Washington Nationals (24-28) 3-0. The Giants generated very little offense with only three hits. The National’s pitcher Jake Irvin blew through batter after batter going eight innings.

San Francisco’s lack of hitting has been obvious for the last seven or so games. The Giants will be looking to win this series in Sunday’s rubber game. They still have a chance for a series win but they have to get their bats going and play with a lot more intensity.

Game recap: After the lack of scoring in Friday’s game, the Nationals got up on the scoreboard in the first inning taking an early 2-0 lead when James Wood hit a home run with Amed Rosario on base for the early lead.

The Giants were looking for their first run of the game and through eight innings they had come up empty. The Nationals added another run in the seventh inning when Robert Hassell III grounded out to the pitcher and Luis Garcia Jr. scored giving the Nationals a 3-0 lead. Through eight innings the Giants only had three hits while the Nationals had eight.

It had been a silent day for San Francisco at the plate going into the ninth inning. They were three outs away from losing game two. The Nationals pitcher Jake Irving had an amazing time on the mound lasting eight innings allowing the three hits, with two walks and seven strikeouts. He was handling the Giant’s batters with ease. He was relieved by Jorge Lopez who came in to close out this game for Washington.

San Francisco had their final chance going into the ninth inning. Jung Hoo Lee was first up at the plate but grounded out to the pitcher. Wilmer Flores struck out with Matt Chapman the Giant’s last hope at the plate. Chapman hit a deep ball to right field but Daylen Lyle made an amazing play stretching for the final out and that was the ball game 3-0 in favor of the Nationals to even up the series.

The Nationals pitcher had a great game with Jake Irvin going for eight innings. He just blasted through the Giant’s lineup in record time, the game lasting only 1:52. He used his sinker very well pitching to the Giant’s weakness. He only gave up the three hits with seven strikeouts and now has a 4-1 win/loss record. In this game he had 96 total pitches and 64 of them were strikes.

Giants pitcher Kyle Harrison lasted four innings allowing five hits and two earned runs. He did not walk any batters and had four strikeout. He was relieved by Tristan Beck who allowed two hits and the third run with two strikeouts and went for three innings.

This was the fifth time the Giants have been shutout this season. San Francisco got completely shut down and didn’t even have a hit after the fifth inning and didn’t have a runner in scoring position after the fourth. They had very few scoring opportunities. With the series all tied up, the rubber game will be played Sunday with first pitch scheduled for 10:35AM PDT.

Game notes: The Giants took on the Nationals Saturday afternoon in the second of their two game series at Nationals Park. San Francisco won game one day 4-0 after six scoreless innings by both teams. The Giants got on the board in the seventh scoring two runs extending their lead in the eighth inning with two more runs for the eventual final of 4-0.

The Giants starter Kyle Harrison struggled pitching four innings allowing five hits and two earned runs. The Nats starter Jake Irvin had a strong outing going eight innings, allowing three hits and no runs.

Robbie Ray will take the mound for San Francisco who has been pitching very well with a 6-0 win/loss record and a 2.67 ERA so the Nationals will be challenged by him. Washington will start Michael Soroka who has a 1-2 win/loss record with a 5.95 ERA.

Landen Roupp Leads Giants to a Win Against Nationals in Game One 4-0

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By Barbara Mason

San Francisco Giants starter Landen Roupp pitched six innings of five hit ball against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park in Washington DC on Fri May 23, 2025 (AP News photo)

The San Francisco Giants (30-21) beat the Washington Nationals (23-28) in game one of their series 4-0 at Nationals Park in Washington DC. The keys to this game were the Giants Willy Adames single driving in Jung Hoo Lee for the first run of the game in the seventh inning 1-0.

The Nationals walked in a run in the same inning extending the San Francisco lead to 2-0. Wilmer Flores’ had his 43rd RBI driving in a second run from Lee and a 3-0 lead in the eighth inning. A wild pitch allowed a fourth San Francisco run and the great start that Mackenzie Gore had given Washington faded quickly when he left the game in the seventh inning.

Game recap: Going into the bottom of the fourth inning the game remained scoreless. Neither team was having a lot of offense as this pitchers duel went into the fifth inning. Through four innings, each team had two hits. The Giant’s starter Landon Roupp was having a great showing on the mound.

He knocked out the first three at bats for Washington in the opening inning, allowed a double in the second and a single in the third. He did walk Luis Garcia Jr. in the fourth inning but that would be it for Washington. Gore was also having a very solid game only allowing two hits through the four innings.

As this game wore on the stalemate continued going into the top of the seventh inning. The pitchers duel continued into the inning. Lee walked in the top of the inning and the Giants had another runner on base with no outs.

Gore left the game in the inning and was relieved by Jackson Rutledge. Gore had been hit in the leg in the second inning which could have been the reason for the eventual relief. Both the trainer and manager came out to the mound making the decision although Gore argued that he was ok.

Rutledge walked Matt Chapman and San Francisco had runners at first and second still with no outs. The Nationals had their second double play of the game with Lee advancing to third.

Adames singled Lee home and the Giants were first up on the scoreboard with the first run of the game 1-0. San Francisco still had two runners on base, Adames and Casey Schmitt looking to extend their lead.

Rutledge walked Mike Yastrzemski and the Giants had the bases loaded with a great chance for more. Rutledge walked in a run and the Giants had drawn five walks in the inning now leading 2-0. That would be it for Rutledge as Zach Brzykcy came in to relieve him the bases still loaded. Brzykcy got out of the inning putting an end to any more San Francisco runs.

The Nationals put two runners on base in the bottom of the seventh and that would be it for Roupp. Randy Rodriguez one of the Giants best relievers took the mound. The Giants got out of the inning with a double play taking the 2-0 lead into the top of the eighth inning and the combination of Roupp and Rodriguez had been perfect.

The Giants got a great jump in the eighth inning off hits from Lee and Chapman, now with runners at the corners and one out. Flores singled driving in his 43rd of the season and San Francisco had a 3-0 lead. A wild pitch scored a fourth Giant’s run and not much was going right for the Nationals trailing 4-0.

Erik Miller took the mound for the Giants in the bottom of the eighth inning. He allowed one walk but that would be it for the Nationals who were three outs away from losing the first game of the series.

Camilo Duval closed out this game for San Francisco in the ninth inning. Nathaniel Lowe popped, Keibert Ruiz flied out and Luis Garcia Jr. lined out and that was the ball game 4-0 in favor of San Francisco.

Game notes: After dropping their last series to the Kansas City Royals winning game two but losing the first and third game, the Giants left the Bay Area traveling back east for a series with the Washington Nationals Friday night.

For the Giants starter Roupp pitched six innings allowing five hits and didn’t allow a run with two walks and two strike outs. For the Nat’s starter MacKenzie Gore pitched six innings allowing two hits and one earned run.

San Francisco was able to get back on track holding down second place in the National League West right now trailing the Los Angeles Dodgers by two games.

This was exactly the way that the San Francisco Giants wanted to get this road trip underway. They will be looking for a second win Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 1:05 PM. Lefty Kyle Harrison will take the mound for San Francisco with a 0-0, 3.38 ERA. The Nationals will start Jake Irvin who had a 3-1 win/loss record and a 3.88 ERA.

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman: Giants get the home runs but not the win

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San Francisco Giants Matt Chapman touches home after hitting a solo home run in the bottom of the third inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Wed May 21, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman:

#1 Wednesday the Kansas City Royals Salvador Perez got three hits and belted a two run home run. Bobby Witt Jr and Maikel Garcia contributed with two hits and two RBIs.

#2 The Royals came back from their loss on Tuesday night to take the three game series over the San Francisco Giants 8-4 on Wednesday.

#3 Even though the Royals scored three or fewer runs in their last seven games and scored four or less runs in their last 42 of 50 games this is a team that can compete.

#4 You can’t say the Giants did it without home run help. They got home runs from Matt Chapman, Patrick Bailey and Heliot Ramos. Ramos also hit a two run home run in the top of the ninth inning off Royals pitcher Lucas Erceg that closed the deficit in half 8-4.

#5 The Giants open a three game series in Washington on Friday night at Nationals Park. The Giants will start RHP Landen Roupp (2-3 ERA 4.11) the Nationals will start LHP MacKenzie Gore (2-4 ERA 3.67) first pitch 3:45pm PDT.

Stephen Ruderman filled in for Morris Phillips who does the San Francisco Giants podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

SF Giants game wrap:Webb torched for six runs in worst start of season, and Royals’ bullpen shuts down Giants in 8-4 win to take series

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Kansas City Royals Salvador Perez circles the bases after connecting for a two run home run in the top of the fourth inning against the San Francisco Giants on Wed May 21, 2025 at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Kansas City Royals 8 (28-23)

San Francisco Giants 4 (29-21)

Win: Jonathan Bowlan (1-0)

Loss: Logan Webb (5-4)

Time: 2:39

Attendance: 29,064

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–The Royals torched Logan Webb for six runs, and their powerful bullpen shut down the Giants’ struggling offense in an 8-4 to take the series Wednesday.

The Royals took the series opener behind seven shutout innings by Kris Bubic on Monday night. Then Tuesday night, Hayden Birdsong was strong over five innings in his first start of the season, and that carried the Giants to a 3-2 win to even the series.

Wednesday, the Giants looked to take the series with their ace, Logan Webb, on the mound. On the surface, Webb was the perfect guy to have going Wednesday, but in baseball, even the best pitchers have their bad days. Unfortunately, that is exactly what happened today to Logan Webb Wednesday.

The Royals started off the game with three-straight singles off Webb to plate a run. Webb then followed that up by striking out the side. It was three base-hits followed by three strikeouts. How very Logan Webb of him.

Kansas City went with the old bullpen game, a move they could make with one of the best bullpens in the game.

Daniel Lynch IV took the ball as the opener in the bottom of the first. Matt Chapman walked with one out, and Wilmer Flores singled him over to third base with two outs. Willy Adames came up as the Giants looked for their response, but Adames flew out to end the inning.

Webb’s troubles continued in the top of the second, as the Royals once again scored a run on three straight singles. However, they would tack on an extra run this time on a sacrifice fly by Bobby Witt Jr. to make it 3-0.

Lynch walked Patrick Bailey and LaMonte Wade with two outs in the bottom of the second, and Royals Manager Matt Quatraro brought in Jonathan Bowlan to face the potential tying run in Heliot Ramos. However, Ramos grounded out to third, and the Giants wasted it.

Webb escaped another jam in the top of the third, and the Giants looked to finally get on the board in the bottom of the third. Matt Chapman would do that on his own, as he led off the inning with a home run to left field.

Jung Hoo Lee then doubled, and the Giants appeared to have a rally going. Unfortunately, Bowlan retired the next three, and it was another wasted opportunity for the Giants

Things fell apart for Webb in the top of the fourth. It started when Kyle Isbel reached on an error by Wade at first. Maikel Garcia then hit a chopper back to the mound, and Webb appeared to be ready to throw to second to get the lead runner, but he bizarrely hesitated and lobbed it over to first to barely get Isbel.

That would prove to be extremely costly for Webb, as Witt lined a double out to left-center to get the run right back and make 4-1. Webb struck out Vinnie Pasquantino, but Salvidor Perez, the longtime Royals’ catcher, and lone remaining Royal from the world series teams in 2014 and 2015, hit a two-run home run to right-center to open it up to 6-1.

Webb finished the inning, but he was done after four in what was his shortest and worst start of the season. He gave up six runs on ten hits, and he plain and simply just did not have it today.

Patrick Bailey hit his first home run of the year to center off Steven Cruz with one out in the bottom of the fourth to make it 6-2. The Giants then loaded the bases, and once again brought up the tying run to the plate in Wilmer Flores. However, it would be another wasted opportunity, as Wilmer lined out to center.

Spencer Bivens came in for the top of the fifth as the mop-up guy, and he gave up two runs over three innings. Jordan Hicks, in his second appearance out of the bullpen, threw a one, two, three, inning in the bottom of the eighth. Lefty Erik Miller then worked around two walks in a scoreless top of the ninth.

Despite the amount of wasted opportunities today, the Giants kept fighting it out every single inning. There was no reason they wouldn’t continue to do so down to their final three outs against Lucas Erceg in the bottom of the ninth.

Wade led off the inning with a line-drive base-hit off the top of the glove of Royals’ right-fielder Drew Waters. Heliot Ramos then hit a two-run home run to left-center to cut the deficit to 8-4, and suddenly, this crowd had something to cheer for. Jung Hoo Lee then walked with one out, and the crowd started getting into it.

Wilmer came up and looked to keep it going. It appeared he was going to when he hit a line drive to right, but it was right to Waters for the second out. That seemed to suck the life out of any potential comeback, as Adames struck out swinging to end it.

It is Jonathan Bowlan, who took over for the opener, Lynch, in the bottom of the second, who got the win for Kansas City. Logan Webb suffered his fourth loss of the season.

The Giants fall to 29-21, and while they lost the series, they still end up with a 5-4 homestand. The Giants swept the A’s, but lost two of three to the Diamondbacks and the Royals. Not your usual homestand.

The Giants will now hit the road for their second of three three-city road trips this season. First up, they will go to the nation’s capital to take on the Washington Nationals for three starting Friday night. After D.C., the Giants will head to Detroit for three against the Tigers, and then to Miami for three against the Marlins.

Neither the Giants nor the Nationals have announced their starters for Friday night. First pitch will be at 6:45 p.m EDT. in D.C., and 3:45 p.m PDT back in San Francisco.

Birdsong shines in first start, and Giants pull off 3-2 win over Royals on city connect night

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Hayden Birdsong (60) San Francisco Giants pitcher delivers to the Kansas City Royals line up in the top of the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Tue May 20, 2025 (AP News photo)

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Kansas City Royals 2 (27-23)

San Francisco Giants 3 (29-20)

Win: Hayden Birdsong (2-0)

Loss: Michael Lorenzen (3-5)

Save: Ryan Walker (9)

Time: 2:36

Attendance: 32,118

By Stephen Ruderman

Hayden Birdsong shined in his first start of the season, and the Giants got just enough offense to pull off a 3-2 win over the Royals on Tuesday.

As exciting as this weekend’s sweep of the A’s, the somewhat-harsh reality was that it was mostly Wilmer Flores carrying a struggling offense. That showed again last night when the Royals took the series opener. Tonight, on city connect night, the Giants would have a secret weapon.

Hayden Birdsong showed promise in his 16 starts for the Giants in his rookie season last year. At the start of this season, Bob Melvin placed him in the bullpen, where he has shined. In 11 games this season, Birdsong posted a 2.31, struck out 25 and established himself as a reliable force for the Giants. Before he gave up three runs to the Diamondbacks last Wednesday, his ERA was 1.33.

Birdsong’s skipper rewarded him for his hard work and dominance with a spot in the rotation. Tuesday night, he made his well-earned first start of the season. Birdsong pitched a pair of scoreless innings to start things off, and then he ran into his first test in the top of the third.

Drew Waters led off the top of the third with a base-hit to center field. Birdsong then tried to pick Waters off with a throw over to first base, but he flung the ball into right field, which allowed Waters to go all the way to this. Kyle Isbel stepped up and got Waters in with a sacrifice fly to center, and the Royals fired the opening salvo.

The veteran right-hander, Michael Lorenzen, took the ball for the Royals. Lorenzen escaped a jam in the bottom of the first, and then he threw a one, two, three inning in the bottom of the second. He was then picked up by his defense, who stymied the Giants’ response in the bottom of the third.

After Birdsong got through a scoreless top of the fourth, the Giants would have their response in the bottom of the fourth. Lorenzen hit Willy Adames with one out, and Willy Adames shot a three-bagger out to Triples Alley in right-center to tie it. LaMonte Wade walked, and Casey Schmitt hit a base-hit to left to give the Giants the lead.

Birdsong pitched through a two-out double by Isbel in the top of the fifth. Birdsong got Jonathan India to end the inning with a flyout to left, and his night would be over. Birdsong gave up a run and five hits over his five innings. He didn’t walk anybody, and he struck out four.

Birdsong had done his job, and the Giants had more for Lorenzen in the bottom of the fifth. Mike Yastrzemski reached on an infield hit to start the inning. Wilmer Flores than hit a ground ball off the end of the bat to first-baseman Vinnie Pasquantino on the right side, but as Pasquantino threw to second to try and nail the leading runner, Yastrzemski, he winged it into left field.

The Giants had runners at the corners with nobody out for Jung Hoo Lee. Lee worked the count full, and then Lorenzen hung a curve right down the pipe that Lee shot up the middle into center field for a base-hit. Yastrzemski scored, and the Giants led it 3-1.

Randy Rodriguez entered for the Giants’ starter, as he has done many times this season, in the top of the sixth and threw a scoreless inning. Kyle Harrison then came in and threw a one, two, three top of the seventh.

Harrison was back out for the top of the eighth, but he gave up a leadoff double to the now-journeyman, Hunter Renfroe. Jonathan India grounded out to move Renfroe over to third, and Melvin brought in Camilo Doval.

Bobby Witt Jr. came up and knocked in Renfroe with an infield hit. It was now 3-2, and Witt was aboard as the tying run. Witt tried to steal second, but he was gunned down by Patrick Bailey for the second out. Doval got Pasquantino looking on a cutter right at the bottom of the zone to end the inning.

Melvin then went to his closer, Ryan Walker, in the top of the ninth. Walker shut the Royals down with a one, two, three inning, and the Giants won 3-2.

Kyle Harrison got the win in his first start of the season; Michael Lorenzen took the loss; and Ryan Walker picked up his ninth save.

The Giants are now 29-20—2-2 in the funky city connects—and they can take the series with a win in the rubber match Wednesday. It will be another midweek matinee at the corner of Third and King. The Giants will have their ace, Logan Webb (5-3, 2.42 ERA), on the mound. The Royals will counter with a bullpen game. Daniel Lynch IV (3-0, 1.29 ERA) will take the ball as the opener for Kansas City.

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