Category: San Francisco Giants

San Francisco Giants podcast Morris Phillips: Giants off to a hitting start; SF home opener Friday at Oracle

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San Francisco Giants Heliot Ramos (17) is thrilled about hitting a double off the Houston Astros in the top of the second inning at Daikin Park in Houston on Wed Apr 2, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Morris Phillips:

#1 San Francisco Giants Wilmer Flores, Luis Matos and LaMonte Wade Jr all hit home runs as the Giants defeated the Houston Astros 6-3 at Daikin Park in Houston on Wednesday. The win help complete a three game sweep.

#2 This is the fourth time that Flores has hit a homer this season and has hit only four last season in 71 games. Flores is tied with a pretty good circle of hitters for home runs Aaron Judge, Kyle Tucker, and Seiya Suzuki for second most home runs in MLB.

#3 Flores didn’t waste anytime getting things started in the first inning with his home run in the top of the first putting the ball in the left field seats off Astros starter Framber Valdez. The Matos home run was a blast to center field and made it 3-0.

#4 The Giants Heliot Ramos hit a double with an out and now has a six game extra base streak going that started this season. Ramos tied former Giant Felipe (1963). Ramos’ double scored two runs to make it 5-0.

#5 The Giants return from their road trip to host the Seattle Mariners at Oracle Park in San Francisco for a 1:35pm PDT first pitch. Starter for the Mariners Bryce Miller 0-1 ERA 4.76 for the Giants Justin Verlander 0-0 ERA 3.60.

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

Giants Beat Astros In Series Sweep 6-3 at Daikin Park

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By Barbara Mason

San Francisco Giants Wilmer Flores rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run against the Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez in the top of the first inning. Flores is greeted by third base coach Matt Williams (9). (AP News photo)

San Francisco’s Wilmer Flores continues to hit those deep balls with teammates Luis Matos and LaMonte Wade Jr. chiming in Wednesday hitting a couple of their own as they beat the Houston Astros in a sweep, 6-3 in the finale at Daikin Park in Houston.

The Giants finished the game with six hits and six runs and it doesn’t get any better than that. It has been a great start for San Francisco who now will head home to Oracle with a 5-1 record.

Game recap: San Francisco could not have asked for a better start in this game. They got started early and kept the pressure on the Astros from the get go. Wilmer Flores continued the great series he has been having hitting a home run in the first inning with Willy Adames on base taking a 2-0 lead.

There was no letdown for the Giants hitting their second home run of the game in the second inning off the bat of Luis Matos, a solo shot giving San Francisco a 3-0 lead. There was more from San Francisco in the same inning when Heliot Ramos doubled base runners Tyler Fitzgerald and Mike Yastrzemski home and the Giants had struck again taking a 5-0 lead.

The Astros got on the board in bottom of the second inning scoring one run. Zach Dezenzo singled Jeremy Pena home for their only run of the game so far still trailing significantly 5-1. Although early in the game the Giants were putting up a great offensive effort against Astro pitcher Framber Valdez which is not an easy task. Valdez did have five strikeouts but he did allow four hits and five earned going five innings.

Houston scored two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning cutting the Giants lead more than in half 5-3 giving the Astros new life. Yordan Alvarez singled base runners Jose Altuve and Chas McCormick home. Houston still had four innings left to do some more damage but needed their defense to keep the Giants off the board in the later innings.

The Giants had five scoreless innings but struck again in the eighth inning with a LaMonte Wade Jr. home run, San Francisco’s third deep ball of the game. Relief pitching kept the Astros off the board for the final four innings and the Giants had their first sweep of the season 6-3.

Even though the Astros had more hits in the game than San Francisco they did not capitalize on those hits and their season record fell to 2-4. San Francisco now has a 5-1 season record as they now head home for their home opener on Friday night. This will be an especially special game for fans as they not only celebrate their first home game of the season but also 25 years at Oracle Park.

San Francisco starting pitcher Landen Roupp had a good game with a lot confidence. He has a great curve ball although as the innings wore on that pitch at times became predictable thus allowing those runs from the Astros. He allowed four hits and three earned runs with eight strikeouts.

Game notes: Wednesday the Giants took on the Astros in game three of their series getting the sweep after winning games one and two. On the mound for the Giants was Landen Roupp who pitched effective baseball against the Astros. The Astros starter Framber Valdez pitched five innings giving up four hits and five runs. The Giants have had a great start on this young season and kept it going in this series.

Going home to Oracle for the home opener on Friday, the Giants will welcome the Seattle Mariners to San Francisco for a three game series. The festivities are slated to start at 1:35 PM in a day-game matchup with 40,000 plus fans on hand.

Seattle will start Bryce Miller 0-1 ERA 4.76. For San Francisco Justin Verlander 0-0 ERA 3.60 looking for a better start than he had against the Reds in the 3-2 loss last Saturday, not the debut he wanted.

Giants Take Series Lead Beating Astros 3-1

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By Barbara Mason

San Francisco Giants starter Logan Webb delivers against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park in Houston on Tue Apr 1, 2025 (AP News photo)

The San Francisco Giants (4-1) won their third straight game in a row beating the Houston Astros (2-3) 3-1. The Giants only had four hits cashing in for three runs and Houston had seven hits in the game but only the one run. Heliot Ramos had the only home run of the game as San Francisco now has a 4-1 season record.

Game recap: Both pitchers breezed through the first and second innings. Logan Webb allowed one hit in the two innings and Hayden Wesneski had not allowed a single hit.

The Giants got something going in the third inning when Astro pitcher Wesneski walked two runners, Patrick Bailey and Christian Koss, in a row with no outs and the top of the lineup coming to bat. San Francisco was looking at a golden opportunity.

The top of the batting order LaMonte Wade Jr. struck out for the first out in the inning but Willy Adames hit a line drive to left field driving Bailey and Koss home and the Giants had a 2-0 lead. Jung Hoo Lee lined out and Matt Chapman struck out for the third out. The Astros had one hit in the third inning but a strikeout and a double play sent the game into the fourth inning.

The Giants extended their lead in the fourth inning when Heliot Ramos homered to left and San Francisco had a 3-0 advantage. The Astros got out of the inning but there was some action in the Houston bullpen as Taylor Scott warmed up indicating possible changes in the fifth inning. In the bottom of the fourth inning the Astros got on the board off the bat of the veteran Jose Altuve who homered to left and it was a 3-1 ball game.

The game headed into the fifth inning and Wesneski remained on the mound for Houston. Neither team scored and it was on to the sixth inning, in fact the fifth, sixth and seventh innings were quiet for both teams. Through seven innings the Giants had three hits cashing in on all of them and Houston had seven.

The Giants pitcher Tyler Rogers took over on the mound in the eighth inning giving up two hits but got out of the inning. The Giants continued to lead 3-1 going into the ninth inning. Other than a Houston pitcher error, Astro pitcher Bryan King struck out Wilmer Flores, Patrick Bailey and Casey Schmitt and Houston had one last chance in the bottom of the ninth inning. It was a three and out for Houston and that was the ball game with San Francisco winning their third game in a row 3-1.

Game notes: Tuesday evening the Giants faced the Astros in game two of their series. While it is early in the season, the Giants have already shown some encouraging improvement over last season. Since their season opener they have scored 21 runs some of which came on a two out count. They have been bringing base runners home and not leaving them stranded.

Saturday the Giants starter Logan Webb went to the mound and pitched five innings giving up seven hits and a run. The Astros righty Hayden Wesneski pitched five innings, giving up two hits and three runs.

Game three of this series is slated for a 1:10 PM PDT first pitch. Landen Roupp will take the mound for the Giants with a 3.58 ERA. The Astros will be looking to pitcher Framber Valdez to salvage at least one game in this series.

San Francisco Wins Series Opener Against Houston 7-2

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San Francisco Giants Wilmer Flores right celebrates his three home run with Patrick Bailey (14) at Daikin Park in Houston on Mon Mar 31, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (3-1) had a great start to their three game series with the Houston Astros (2-2) winning the opener 7-2. They outhit the Astros 9-3 scoring in four innings. Unlike last season they are not leaving runners stranded when in scoring position.

They are getting on base via hits, steals and walks so they are getting the job done. Wilmer Flores had his second home run of the season with four RBI’s and Jung Hoo Lee continues to impress with two more runs scored.

Game recap: San Francisco was first up on the scoreboard in the second inning taking a 1-0 lead. Wilmer Flores singled Heliot Ramos home and the Giants were off and running. They would strike again in the fifth inning scoring a single run extending their lead to 2-0. LaMonte Wade Jr. hit a sacrifice fly sending Mike Yastrzemski home for their second run of the game.

After Astros starting pitcher Ronel Blanco allowed the two runs in the second and fifth innings he was relieved by Luis Contreras on the mound. He went five innings allowing three hits, two runs with six strikeouts.

The Giants really piled it on in the sixth inning scoring three runs. Wilmer Flores hit a three-run home run with Jung Hoo Lee and Patrick Bailey on base and San Francisco took a 5-0 lead going into the seventh inning.

The Giants had seven hits in the game while the Astros had only one hit. After the sixth inning Astros relief pitcher Luis Contreras was finished allowing three hits and three runs. Ryan Gusto would take over on the mound.

The Astros stepped it up in the eighth inning scoring two runs trailing 2-5. Isaac Paredes doubled driving both Jose Altuve and Cam Smith home. The Giants lead prevailed going into the ninth inning.

The Giants threatened in the ninth with runners on second and third, two outs and Matt Chapman at the plate. Chapman singled and two more San Francisco runners crossed home plate for a 7-2 lead.

Willy Adames and Jung Hoo Lee both scored on the Chapman single. San Francisco had nine hits in this game. The Astros had one last chance in the bottom of the ninth inning. Ryan Walker took the mound to try and close this game out for the Giants.

Ryan was perfect closing out the game for the win. He did have one walk in the inning. San Francisco had won the first game of this three game series 7-2.

Jordan Hicks set the stage for this win. He went six innings, allowing one hit with six strikeouts in a great showing tonight. San Francisco has had more success scoring with runners in scoring position which so far this season has been a nice improvement.

Matt Chapman has been a huge offensive and defensive weapon with stellar play at third base. Wilmer Flores hit his second home run of the season and the team came away with nine hits in the game. The Giants stole three bases in this game, two of which resulted in runs so this team is getting on base whether it be through hits, walks or steals. They are getting the job done.

Game notes: After winning their series with the Cincinnati Reds this past weekend, the Giants took on the Astros in Houston to open a three game series on Monday night. Jordan Hicks took the mound for the Giants Monday night and pitched one hit ball for six innings before being lifted. Starter for Houston was Ronel Blanco went three innings and gave up of three hits and three runs.

Tuesday night the Giants and Astros will clash in game two of this series. First pitch is scheduled for 5:10 PM. Probable pitchers for Tuesday’s game are slated to be Logan Webb for the Giants with a 5.40 ERA and for Houston Hayden Wesneski will take the mound.

Giants Win Season Opening Series Over Cincinnati Reds 6-3

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Heliot Ramos (left), Jung Hoo Lee (center), and Mike Yastrzemski (right) celebrate the San Francisco Giants win over the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Park in Cincinnati on Sun Mar 30, 2025 (San Francisco Giants X)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (2-1) finished up their opening series of the season beating the Cincinnati Reds (1-2) 6-3.

The Giants played a very clean while the Reds had a couple of errors en-route to the loss. Both Matt Chapmand and Heliot Ramos had home runs in the win. San Francisco had seven hits and displayed some great defense. They won this game on the road to open the season which is a great confidence builder as the team moves on to their next series.

Game recap: The game had a sluggish start with both teams going hitless through the first four innings. It was a pitcher’s dual until it wasn’t. The first hit of the game came in the fifth inning off the bat of San Francisco’s Heliot Ramos, a solo shot to left field, and the Giants were on the board with the early 1-0 lead.

The Ramos hit opened the flood gates as San Francisco scored three more runs in the sixth inning taking a 4-0 lead. Jung Hoo Lee doubled Tyler Fitzgerald home extending their lead to 2-0. The Giants were not finished as Matt Chapman knocked one out of the park with Lee onboard and San Francisco had established a comfortable lead 4-0.

The lead was not quite as comfortable as thought. In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Reds made a lot of noise scoring three runs very nearly catching San Francisco. Austin Wynns got the inning going with a home run to left with Gavin Lux on base and the Reds had cut the Giants lead in half 4-2.

Matt McLain followed the Wynns homer with one of his own, a solo shot and Cincinnati was within a run of the Giants 4-3. After such a quiet start for both teams, this game became really competitive. Each team had scored three runs in the sixth inning. After a rough inning for Giants pitcher Robbie Ray there was a pitching change as Erik Miller took the mound for the remainder of the sixth inning.

San Francisco pitcher Lou Trevino pitched the seventh inning dismissing the Reds, three up and three down hanging onto the slim 4-3 lead. The Reds Ian Gibaut also went three up and three out in quick succession and it was on to the eighth inning.

San Francisco would add to their lead in the eighth inning taking a 5-3 advantage giving them a little breathing room. Willy Adames sacrificed and the throw from deep center field was well off the mark as Tyler Fitzgerald easily crossed home plate to extend the Giants lead.

The eighth inning was a productive one for San Francisco as they tacked on yet another run. Heliot Ramos singled baserunner Jung Hoo Lee home and the Giants had scored twice in the inning for a 6-3 lead. Giants pitcher Tyler Rogers brought his nasty spinning dropping pitch to the bottom of the eighth and San Francisco got out of the inning with a double play.

The Reds retired the Giants in the top of the ninth and Cincinnati was looking at one last chance to salvage the game. San Francisco finished off the Reds in the ninth with a three up and three down inning and that was the ball game with the Giants winning their opening series of the season 6-3.

Game notes: Sunday afternoon the San Francisco Giants (2-1) clashed with the Cincinnati Reds (1-2) in game three of their series and took the series with a third game win. With the threat of rain, lightning and thunder forecast for later in the day, this game got underway on time under cloudy skies with a balmy temperature in the low 70s for the Reds fans to enjoy.

San Francisco was looking to come out on the right side of this series after winning the opening game and dropping yesterday’s game to the Reds 3-2. The Giants Robbie Ray took the mound and for the Reds, Nick Martinez was the starter.

San Francisco will continue on the road next taking on the Houston Astros in a Monday opener for a three game series. Probable pitchers for game one will be Jordan Hicks for San Francisco with 4:10 ERA. On the mound for Houston will be Ronel Blanco with a 2.80 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 5:10 PM.

Giants Drop Game Two – Reds Tie Up Series With 3-2 Win

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San Francisco Giants starter Justin Verlander delivers against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati on Sat Mar 29, 2025 (AP News photo0

By Barbara Mason

After winning game one of their series with the Cincinnati Reds, the San Francisco Giants dropped game two Saturday afternoon 3-2. The Giants will go into game three looking to win the series. San Francisco led through the first four innings of this game but the Reds tied it all up in the bottom of the fifth and took the lead in the sixth inning hanging onto the 3-2 lead for the eventual win.

Game recap: Neither team scored in the opening inning but San Francisco took the lead in the top of the second inning 1-0. Again it was Wilmer Flores hitting a home run, his second of the young season, taking up where he left off in game one, this shot a solo. The Reds had runners at first and third in the bottom of the inning with two outs but came up empty.

The Giants added to their lead in the third inning off a Jung Hoo Lee single driving Heliot Ramos home for a 2-0 tally. The native of Nagoya, Japan Lee is entering his second season with the Giants. He is off to a great start for the Giants scoring two runs in the first game of this series. The Reds kept pace with San Francisco scoring one run in the bottom of the third but still trailing 2-1. Matt McLain hit Cincinnati’s first long ball of the game, a solo home run.

The Reds tied up this game in the bottom of the fifth inning 2-2. Elly De La Cruz singled Matt McClain home for the tie. Spencer Bivens in his first season with San Francisco relieved Justin Verlander to start the sixth inning giving up a Christian Encarnacion-Strand home run and the Reds took a 3-2 lead into the seventh inning. The Giants Justin Verlander went five innings allowing six hits, two earned runs and five strikeouts.

The Reds Nick Lodolo had a pretty good outing going six innings allowing five hits and two earned runs. Tony Santillan relieved him in the seventh inning only allowing one hit in the inning. The right-hander Randy Rodriguez took the mound for San Francisco in the bottom of the seventh inning sending the game into the eighth, pitching a nice inning with two strikeouts and and a foul out; three up and three out for the Reds.

The Giants had a couple of hits in the the eighth but but couldn’t move the scoreboard continuing to trail 3-2. The Reds were unable to add to their lead in the bottom of the eighth sending San Francisco into the ninth inning with one last chance left to either tie or take the lead.

The Reds Emilio Pagan took the mound in the ninth inning looking to finish off the Giants and tie up the series one apiece. He executed beautifully dismissing the Giants three up and three down and that was the ballgame. Both teams displayed a great pitching effort but it was the Reds that came away with the win.

Game notes: After winning their season opener Thursday beating the Reds 6-4, the Giants (1-1) played game two of the series on Saturday afternoon and lost in a close one 3-2 to the Reds. The Giants fought from behind in game one of the series on the strength of a Wilmer Flores three run homer with two outs in the ninth inning giving them a 6-3 lead. The Reds had one run in the ninth but could not overcome the San Francisco lead.

Saturday the Giants were looking for a win in game two of their series as they sent right-hander Justin Verlander to the mound making his debut as a San Francisco Giant in his career 527th start. The Reds had lefty Nick Lodolo took the mound as the Reds evened up the series at one apiece.

Giants Fans will have to wait a few more games before they can welcome the team back home for their season opener next Friday night Apr 4th against the Seattle Mariners celebrating 25 years at Oracle Park this season.

Cincinnati had evened up the series at one game apiece with game three scheduled for Sunday morning first pitch at 10:40 PST. The probable pitcher for San Francisco will be lefty Robbie Ray with the Reds Nick Martinez taking the mound for game three.

San Francisco Giants podcast Morris Phillips: How Giants size up going into opener today in Cincinnati

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb seen here pitching against the Athletics on Wed Jul 31, 2024 at Oracle Park in San Francisco. Webb will be the starting pitcher against the Cincinnati Reds on Thu Mar 30, 2025 at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati for opening day. (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips:

#1 The Giants open up today in Cincinnati and they’ll be starting pitcher Logan Webb. Webb was 13-10 last season and was healthy can he continue to win games and stay healthy?

#2 Robbie Ray looked good against the Detroit Tigers when he pitched on Monday night going five innings, four hits and two earned runs, one walk and four strikeouts. He’s back from taking a chunk of time off last season. He had his pitches working for him on Monday and he could be a force on that starting rotation.

#3 Justin Verlander had himself an impressive spring training going 2-0 ERA 3.43 Verlander in spring training has struck out 19 batters this spring. Some doubted he had it anymore but he’s showing that at age 42 he has the stamina to pitch at a high level. Will that translate into the regular season?

#4 Morris with an infield of  Matt Chapman, Willy Adames, Tyler Fitzgerald, LaMonte Wade Jr., Wilmer Flores, Casey Schmitt, Christian Koss can that part of the Giants line up help them to be a potential playoff type team?

#5 With MIke Krukow, Duane Kuiper, Jon Miller and Dave Flemming signing a deal that runs through 2026 to broadcast Giant games does that strengthen KNBR the Giants flagship station’s chances to continue to carry Giants broadcasts?

Morris Phillips does the San Francisco Giants weekly podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants conclude pre season with 4-3 win over Tigers at Oracle Park

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San Francisco Giants catcher Sam Huff (left) congratulates relief pitcher Ryan Walker (right) after the Giants conclude a pre season two game sweep over the Detroit Tigers at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Tue Mar 25, 2025 (San Francisco Giants X photo)

Detroit (12-15). 010 001 010. 3. 8. 0

San Francisco (21-6). 002 000 020. 4. 6 0

Attendance: 20,049

Time: 2:07

By Lewis Rubman

SAN FRANCISCO–The San Francisco Giants used five pitchers to squeeze out a 4-3 win over the Detroit Tigers this lovely Sunday evening to close out an encouraging spring training with a record of 21-6). Right handed starter Jordan Hicks lasted five adequate innings, in which he allowed a couple of runs, both earned, on three hits, one of them a 409 foot solo shot to Justin-Henry Malloy that gave the visitors a short-lived lead.

Hicks also struck out one batter and walked another. The win went to Randy Rodríguez, who hurled a scoreless top of the seventh, in which he issued a walk and achieved a strikeout. Ryan Walker earned the save, shutting Detroit out in the ninth in spite of a two out triple by Ryan Kreidler.

Joel Peguero and Camilo Doval hurled a frame apiece. The former allowed a hit and nothing else. The latter gave up one run on three hits, although he did strike out one Tiger.

The Giants scored on Tyler Fitzgerald’s 375′ round tripper that plated Yastraemski in the bottom of the third. The home team picked up two more runs in the home seventh after Fitzgerald walked, stole second, and scored on Grant McGray’s single to center. Christian Koss then brought McGray home with the Giants’ final tally.

Jackson Jobe started for the Tigers. He allowed two runs, both earned on three hits, including Fitzgerald’s dinger, and two walks. The loss went to Casey Mize, who followed Jobe for three episodes and yielded two runs, earned, on three hits and one base on balls. Kenta Maeda contributed two K’s in pitching a perfect ninth.

The Giants leave tomorrow for Cincinnati, where they will open the season on Thursday.

They will return for the home opener, against Seattle on Friday, April 4, at 1:45.

Orange & Black @ Orange & Black Giants score 3 runs in 5th to defeat Tigers 6-4 at Oracle Park

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San Francisco Giants Heliot Ramos is thrilled after hitting a home run against San Diego Padres on Sun Sep 15, 2024 at Oracle Park in San Francisco. On Mon Mar 24, 2025 Ramos was three for four with a home run, three hits and three RBIs against the Detroit Tigers at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

Detroit (12-14) 000 200 000 2 5 0

San Francisco (20-6) 100 031 01x 6 11 0

Time: 2:17

Attendance: 24,144

By Lewis Rubman

Monday, March 25, 2025

SAN FRANCISCO–The players have broken camp, and your San Francisco Giants are ready to wrap up spring training with a couple of games against their transbay rivals, the Oakland Athletics. No, wait a minute! There’s something wrong here. It’s the Detroit Tigers your Giants are facing. Not even ex-Athletic A.J. Hinch at the helm can change that. Some things never change, though.

There’s always the fear of injury. The Giants, fearing a recurrence of the back injury that stole their exciting center fielder, 이정후, AKA Lee,Jung Hoo, from them half-way through last year’s letdown season. anxiously await his full recovery from his latest setback.

In the 17 Cactus League games Lee had appeared in, Lee hit .300 with an OPS of .967. No one wants a repeat of Blake Snell’s 2024 on again, off again recovery saga. Lee returned to action in Sunday’s game against the River Cats in Sacramento and went one for two, with a run scored and another driven in over five innings. He went 0 for 3 Monday night.

Matt Chapman seems to have recovered his groove at bat, but his fielding, which can be elegant, has suffered a noticeable decline this spring.. Last year, he, like many of his teammates, committed a lot of hidden errors, including late or poorthrows that prevented double plays and so were unchargeable.

This spring, they’re more visible. Chappy’s five errors in 15 games are a concern. He alleviated some of that this evening with a beautiful backhand grab on Manuel Baez’s scorcher down the third base line and a hard, accurate throw to first to retire the Tigers’ shortstop in the top of the fifth..

For what it’s worth, however, San Francisco, having defeated Detroit, 6-4, in a game that wasn’t as close as the score might indicate, can feek It was one of those games in which by the sixth or seventh inning inning you spend more time and attention trying to keep track of the substitutions than on the action on the field, so don’t expect much detail from the report.

San Francisco used five hurlers, starting with Robbie Ray, who went five frames and allowed two runs, both earned, one four hits, which included a pair of solo home runs in the fourth, He struck out four and gave up one free pass, gaining the win.

Ray was followed by Lou Trivino, Spencer Blevnins, Tyler Rogers, and Eric Miller, each of whom pitched an inning. Blevens gave up a single in the seventh. The only other Giant reliever to suffer any damage was Miller, who yielded two runs, both earned, on two hits, and a walk.

The Tigers used nine pitchers over eight innings. Tyler Horton, the first of the lot got tagged with the loss,

Ramos went 3 for 4, with three RBIs, and a homer for the hosts. The other Giant with a multi-hit game was Patrick Bailey, at 2 for 4, with two RBIs.

The two teams, both clad in orange and black, will continue to confuse the crowd Tuesday, at 5:05PM PDT. The Giants will then fly to Cincinnati to open the season on Wednesday, returning for their home opener on April 4 at 1:35 in the afternoon.

Giants Fall Short in Sacramento, Drop Exhibition to River Cats 4-3

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Sunset over the Tower Bridge in Sacramento during the late innings of the Giants vs River Cats matchup. (Photo: Jeremiah Salmonson)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — The San Francisco Giants visited Sacramento on Sunday evening, playing as the home team at Sutter Health Park. The Giants faced off against the River Cats at 5:05 PM PST in the upgraded venue that will soon host the Sacramento A’s regular-season games beginning March 31st. However, the River Cats came away with a 4-3 victory over the Giants in West Sacramento.

The Giants started scoring early, jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Jung Hoo Lee doubled home Heliot Ramos with a line drive to right-center field, and later Luis Matos reached base on a throwing error, allowing Lee to score.

The Giants’ offense struck again in the second inning, extending their advantage to 3-0 when Christian Koss doubled in Casey Schmitt. Unfortunately, this marked the end of their scoring for the night, as the River Cats took control from that point forward.

In the fourth inning, the River Cats began chipping away at the deficit as Logan Porter doubled home Hunter Bishop, cutting the Giants’ lead to 3-1.

Giants starter Landen Roupp turned in a strong performance, pitching five innings while allowing just one hit, one earned run, and one walk, with eight strikeouts. Roupp remains in contention for the fifth spot in the starting rotation. Time will tell if he or Birdsong gets the nod for Manager Bob Melvin. 

In contrast, Hayden Birdsong, competing with Roupp for the rotation spot, struggled significantly. Birdsong entered in the sixth inning but was pulled after recording just one out, allowing three hits, two walks, and three earned runs. The River Cats took advantage, scoring three runs in the inning to pull ahead 4-3.

Kai-Wei Teng and Justin Garza combined to pitch the remaining 3 1/3 innings for the Giants, holding the River Cats scoreless. Despite their efforts in the ninth, the Giants’ offense couldn’t produce additional runs, and the game ended in a 4-3 loss. 

After a strong spring, the Giants are feeling good as they return to San Francisco on Sunday night. They have two official spring training games remaining before Opening Day on March 27th against the Reds in Cincinnati.

Key Performers:
Heliot Ramos had a strong showing, going 2-2 with a double and a walk.
Landen Roupp delivered five innings of one-run baseball with eight strikeouts.

Up Next: The Giants return to San Francisco for their first game at Oracle Park this season, hosting the Detroit Tigers in Spring Training action at 6:45 PM PST.