Category: San Francisco Giants

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

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

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

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

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

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

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

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

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

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

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

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

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

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

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.

Giants Destroy Cubs In Eleventh Inning 14-5

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

By Barbara Mason

In one crazy game the San Francisco Giants (23-14) beat the Chicago Cubs (22-15) 14-5 in 11 innings. When it looked like Justin Verlander would win his first game as a Giant, the Cubs tied up this game at 5-5. It would go into the 11 inning when the Cubs unleashed a barrage of hits, (6 hits, 2 sacrifices, and a walk). They scored nine runs in the eleventh. This was the most runs in a single inning in Wrigley Field history.

Game recap: The Giants got going early scoring in the second, third and fourth innings taking a 5-0 lead. San Francisco had two runs in the second inning taking an early 2-0 lead. Matt Chapman scored the first run of the day after walking and advancing home via a Cubs error. Patrick Bailey hit a sacrifice fly driving Wade Jr. home for the 2-0 tally. The Giants had a great start in this game.

San Francisco added two more runs in the third inning taking a 4-0 lead. Jung Hoo Lee who has been terrific hit a home run with Willy Adames on base. Not to be outdone the Cubs Miguel Amaya hit a two run home run (Swanson was on base) cutting the San Francisco lead in half 2-4.

The Giants would add one more run in the fourth inning for a 5-2 lead. Brett Wisely hit a sacrifice fly and Heliot Ramos would score. The Cubs would creep a little closer in the fifth inning scoring a single run when Dansby Swanson scored off a infield single off the bat of Jon Berti.

Neither team would score in the sixth, seventh or eighth innings. This game went into the ninth inning with the Giants holding onto a 5-3 lead. With San Francisco on the verge of tying up this series the Cubs put the brakes on it by scoring two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Justin Turner singled Crow-Armstrong home followed by a Kyle Tucker single driving Carson Kelly home tying up this game 5-5.

The tenth inning got underway and San Francisco was unable to score with one runner, Wilmer Flores, on base. The Cubs had runners at the corners with one out and a very real opportunity to win game two.

The Cubs couldn’t cash in and the game went into the eleventh inning. The Giants got a great start in the inning with runners on second and third and no outs. A Patrick Bailey single brought Christian Koss home.

A Brett Wisely sacrifice gave San Francisco a second run when Heliot Ramos scored. The Giants still had no outs with the bases loaded threatening to extend their 7-5 lead. San Francisco was relentless scoring on a reviewed score and the Giants had a 8-5 lead.

The hits just kept on coming. When the dust had settled Patrick Bailey, Brett Wisely, Willy Adames, Mike Yastrzemski, Jung Hoo Lee, Matt Chapman and Wilmer Flores had all crossed home plate for a 14-5 win tying up the series.

Justin Verlander went five innings allowing five hits, three runs, two walks and three strikeouts. Relief pitchers Randy Rodriguex, Camilo Doval and Tyler Rogers each pitched an inning with Rodriguez allowing only one hit. This was a hard fought game going into the 11th inning. It all fell apart for the Cubs in the top of the 11th. Verlander had finally realized his first win as a Giant.

Game notes: The Giants were looking for a little payback after losing game one of their three game series with the Cubs getting punished 9-2. The Cubs had a five-run sixth inning to take the first game of the series. Both teams have the same record at the start of Monday night’s game. Verlander still struggling to pick up his first win ended up leaving after five innings surrendering five hits and three earned runs.

The San Francisco Giants finished the game with 16 hits and a whole lot of payback in this win. The rubber game of this series will get underway tomorrow with first pitch scheduled for 11:20 AM. Robbie Ray will take the mound for the Giants with a 4-0 win/loss record and 3.05 ERA. The Cubs will start Ben Brown who come into this game with a 3-2 win/loss record and a 4.88 ERA.

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman: Giants conclude four game series with Rockies today at Oracle Park

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman (left) and LaMonte Wade Jr (right) celebrates the win against Colorado Rockies on Sat May 3, 2025 at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman:

#1 Saturday’s game at Oracle Park was one for the books as the San Francisco Giants down to the last place Colorado Rockies 3-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning saw Matt Chapman connect for a grand slammer that put the Giants back in the drivers seat taking a 6-3 lead which would end up being the final score.

#2 The Giants won their 11th game when the were behind by two or more runs that leads the Majors this year.

#3 The grand slam by Chapman was his third career grand slam and it was the Giants first since Chapman did it on May 11, 2024 against the Cincinnati Reds.

#4 San Francisco Giants starter Jordan Hicks struck out seven hitters the most this season for Hicks. Hicks pitched five innings, allowed three hits, three earned runs, and two walks.

#5 Starting pitchers for the Rockies RHP German Marquez (0-5 ERA 9.82) for the Giants RHP Logan Webb (3-2 ERA 2.83) talk about how you see this match up today?

Stephen Ruderman is a San Francisco Giants beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Hicks hangs in there, and Chapman’s grand salami carries Giants to 6-3 win over Rockies

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants Matt Chapman (26) rounds the first base after hitting a sixth inning grand slam is congratulated by first base coach Mark Hallberg in the bottom of the sixth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sat May 3, 2025 (AP News photo)

Saturday, May 3, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Colorado Rockies 3 (6-27)

San Francisco Giants 6 (21-13)

Win: Randy Rodriguez (2-0)

Loss: Jake Bird (0-1)

Save: Ryan Walker (6)

Time: 2:21

Attendance: 40,049

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants appear to be back on track, as Jordan Hicks hung in there for five innings, and Matt Chapman hit a grand slam in the bottom of the sixth inning to propel the Giants to a 6-3 win over the Rockies.

The Giants snapped their first three-game winning streak of the year with a 4-0 win Friday night, as Robbie Ray struck out eight over seven shutout innings.

Saturday, Jordan Hicks looked to follow that up with a strong outing of his own. Following three-consecutive rough starts, Hicks had a much better outing against the Texas Rangers on Sunday, when he gave up two runs over five innings.

Hicks got off to a solid start Saturday, as he opened the game with three scoreless innings. So did Rockies’ starter Bradley Blalock, who retired the first seven men he faced.

The Giants struck first when Luis Matos hit a solo home run to left field in the bottom of the third. Other than that, Blalock kept dealing, and the Giants struggled to mount any sort of rally against him.

As for Hicks, he cruised through five shutout innings, but he ran into trouble in the top of the sixth. Brenton Doyle walked to start the inning, and after back-to-back base-hits by Jordan Beck and Ryan McMahon tied the game, Hicks was done.

Randy Rodriguez came in, as he has many times for Giants’ starters so far this season. Hunter Goodman greeted Rodriguez with a base-hit to left to give the Rockies the lead. Rodriguez retired the next two, but Kyle Farmer chopped a base-hit off Rodriguez’s ankle that scored McMahon to make it 3-1.

It was an unfortunate end to what was a solid outing for Hicks, who got charged for three runs over five-plus innings, but struck out seven.

10 of the Giants’ 20 wins had come with them trailing by two or more runs, and here they were again trailing by two.

Blalock walked Matos to start the bottom of the sixth, and then he walked Mike Yastrzemski with one out. Rockies Manager Bud Black brought in Jake Bird, who walked Willy Adames to load the bases. Jung Hoo Lee then lined a base-hit up the middle into center field to make it 3-2.

Up came Matt Chapman. Chapman fouled off the first pitch, and then he hit a grand slam to right-center to give the Giants a 6-3 lead.

The Giants’ bullpen then handled the rest. Camilo Doval threw a one, two, three inning in the top of the seventh, and Erik Miller threw a scoreless top of the eighth. Ryan Walker, who last picked up a save exactly two weeks ago on April 19 in Anaheim, came in for the ninth, and he threw a one, two, three inning to get his sixth save of the year.

Randy Rodriguez, who came in for Hicks in the top of the sixth, picked up the win. Jake Bird was saddled with the loss, and Ryan Walker got the save.

The Giants picked up their 11th win when trailing by two or more runs, as they improve to 21-13.

The series finale will be Sunday, and the Giants will look to win the series with their ace, Logan Webb (3-2, 2.83 ERA), on the mound. Countering Webb for the Rockies will be the veteran, German Marquez (0-5, 9.82 ERA).

The matchup is obvious on paper, but it’s baseball, and the game still has to be played before we know for sure what happens and who will win. First pitch will be at 1:05 p.m at Oracle.