Category: San Francisco Giants

By Jeremy Kahn

AP photo: The New York Yankees Mark Teixeira parks a solo shot in the second inning off San Francisco Giants starter Jeff Samardzjia at Yankee Stadium on Sunday

NEW YORK-Jeff Samardzjia probably wishes that he could get a do over in his first ever start at Yankee Stadium.

Samardzjia lasted 5.2 innings, allowing five runs and eight hits, while walking one and striking out three; however two home runs balls to Carlos Beltran and Mark Teixeira were the big blows and the New York Yankees defeated the San Francisco Giants 5-2 before a crowd of 34,143 at Yankee Stadium.

“They made some good adjustment there on my slider, I had been going to it throwing for strikes and got some outs with it and they put a few swings on it with Castro and McCann and that was it and Didi just got a ball over the plate on a hitters count,” said Samardzija.

With the loss, the Giants end their three-city eight-game road trip to San Diego, Boston and New York with a record of 1-7.

This is the second time this season that the Giants have lost at least seven out of eight, as they went 1-8 from April 13-21.

It was a tough one for Samardzija, who was attempting to join staff mates Madison Bumgarner and Johnny Cueto with double figures wins.

The last time the Giants achieved this accomplishment was during the 2012 season, when Matt Cain won 16, Madison Bumgarner also won 16, Barry Zito won 15, Ryan Vogelsong won 14 and Tim Lincecum won 10.

Beltran, who played for the Giants during the 2011 season after being traded to the Giants from the New York Mets for Zack Wheeler hit a solo home run off of Samardzija with two outs in the bottom of the first inning.

Just one inning later, in the bottom of the second inning and once again with two outs, Teixiera launched a solo home run into the Yankees bullpen.

Yankees starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi, who went 6.2 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits, walking two and striking out six.

Angel Pagan went 3-for-5 with a single, double and a triple. This was the eighth time this season that Pagan picked up three hits in a game this season, and his sixth with multiple XBH. The six multiple XBH games ties his career high that was set in 2013.

Chad Green pitched the final 2.1 innings to pickup his first career save, and became the first Yankees rookie to save a game since Bryan Mitchell versus the Detroit Tigers on June 20, 2015.

The Yankees blew the game wide open in the bottom of the sixth inning, as they scored three runs after they were two outs in the inning.

Following a Jacoby Ellsbury double play that saw Brett Gardner retired after he singled Aaron Hicks to third. Hicks led off the inning with a single of his own, and then scored on the Ellsbury double play ball.

Beltran, Brian McCann and Starlin Castro each singled, with Beltran scoring the second run of the inning and the fourth run of the game for the Yankees. Didi Gregorius hit a ground-rule double to centerfield that scored McCann.

The Giants finally got to Eovaldi in the top of the seventh inning, as they scored two runs on a two-run single by Buster Posey.

Ramiro Pena led off the inning with a single, then after a strikeout of Denard Span for the first out of the inning, Angel Pagan doubled and then Brandon Belt walked to load the bases, and then Posey hit an opposite field single down the right field line to score Pena and Pagan; however Brandon Crawford was unable to tie it up, as grounded out to Teixeira to end the threat.

That was the third time in the game that the Giants were unable to score with runners on base.

In the top of the second inning , they were able to get two runners on base with two outs; however Pena grounded out to Castro to end the inning.

Two innings later, they loaded the bases with one out, but Mac Williamson popped out to first base and then Pena for the second time in as many at-bats grounded out to Castro to end the threat.

Just one inning after they scored their only two runs of the game, the Giants saw another rally put to a halt, as Williamson singled with one out; however Pena was once again snakebitten, as he hit a ball behind a diving Teixeira at first base and Castro made a diving stop on the ball and pitcher Chad Green covered at first base to get the diving Pena.

Green got up and threw to Chase Headley, who tagged out Williamson, who was trying to get to third base to complete the double play.

“Play according to the scoreboard, plays all out, love his energy, his enthusiasm, just can’t get thrown out there three runs down with two outs. He might have thought the ball went through,” said Bruce Bochy.

George Kontos pitched the final 2.1 for the Giants, and the former Yankees reliever retired all seven batters he faced. He lowered his earned run average on the road down to 1.27 (21.1 IP, 3 ER) in 22 road appearances during the 2016 season.

NOTES: With the two hits in the game, this was the first multi-hit game of Williamson’s career and on the road trip, he hit .444 (8-for-18).

Posey broke out of a 2-for-17 slump, as he picked up two hits in four at-bats and all drove in two runs.

The Giants batting average with the designated hitter is .469, as they have gone 15-for-32.

Since the All-Star break, the Giants are 9-for-72 with runners in scoring position, an average of .125 and over their last 13 games, they are 16-for-122, an average of .131.

The Giants now return to begin a seven-game home stand, three with the Cincinnati Reds and then four with the Washington Nationals.

Probables for the Reds series.

Monday: Jake Peavy versus Anthony DeSclafani
Tuesday: Matt Cain versus Cody Reed
Wednesday: Madison Bumgarner versus Dan Straily

By Jeremy Kahn

AP photo: San Francisco Giants hitter Mac Williamson swings for a single RBI in the 12th inning which proved to be the game winning hit at Yankee Stadium on Saturday night

NEW YORK-What a day for Mac Williamson to come through in the clutch for the San Francisco Giants.

After making an error in the bottom of the fourth inning that allowed Didi Gregorius to score on a Mark Teixeira single, Williamson did not let that get to him, as he hit a home run in the top of the fifth inning and the game-winning single in the top of the 12th inning and the Giants came back to defeat the New York Yankees 2-1 in 12 innings before a 46,727 at Yankee Stadium.

Before the error, I got thrown at home, could have done something differently there, I rushed the ball, rushed the play down the line trying to keep the double play in order,” said Williamson.

Williamson took a Ivan Nova offering and planted it into the Giants bullpen to tie up the game.

“Sinker in, similar pitch he threw me in my first at-bat and I rolled over it and then it flattened out,” said Williamson. “Fun game to be a part of,” Williamson added.

Williamson and Nova both underwent Tommy John Surgery with famed orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews on the same day. The date was April 28, 2014, and also Johnny Hellweg, then in the Milwaukee Brewers organization also underwent Tommy John surgery the same day as Nova and Williamson.

“He (Nova) went first,” said Williamson.

His game-winning single was drove in Trevor Brown, who led off the inning with a double off of Andrew Swarzak.

Hunter Strickland got the Yankees out in order in the bottom of the 12th inning, and the six-game losing streak was over.

“Definitely a huge win for us, we’ve been battling just came short the past couple of games,” any win is good for us,” said Strickland.

Usual closer Santiago Casilla pitched two innings, allowing one hit, while walking one and striking out one.

“I mean it is well known that the Yankees have a great bullpen, and those three big guys we know they throw hard,” said Casilla.

In all, the Giants bullpen pitched six innings, allowing just three hits, walking three and striking out three.

Casilla picked up his second win of the season, while Strickland picked up his second save of the season.

This was the longest outing by Casilla this season, and his longest since August 31, 2015, when he also pitched two innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

Johnny Cueto bounced back from his first loss since April 21, this past Sunday against the San Diego Padres and went six innings, allowing one run on six hits, walking one and striking out nine.

“Not everybody can pitch with the heat like today, but I got myself ready, I trained myself for situations like today to pitch like this and be effective,” said Cueto. “I feel different, I feel stronger, I feel 100 percent better,” Cueto added.

When the game started at 4:09 pm, the temperature at the time of the first pitch was a whopping 93 degrees.

Originally, Jeff Samardzija was supposed to pitch today against Nova; however Cueto went in the same spot that he was in during the first half.

“In Boston, when they told me to be ready to pitch the second game here,” said Cueto.

It looked like the Giants might get to Nova early, as they Angel Pagan walked with one out, then Brandon Belt hit a single that sent Pagan to third base; however Buster Posey lined out to Aaron Hicks in right field and his relay throw to the plate was on the money. Brandon Crawford then came up, but his line drive was snared by Brett Gardner to end the inning.

Once again, in the top of the second inning, the Giants wasted an opportunity to get on the board, as Jarrett Parker led off the single, was forced out on a Fielders’ Choice by Williamson and Ramiro Pena hit a double, but the relay from Gardner to Gregorius to Brian McCann was on the money and the inning came to a close on a bang-bang play at the plate.

The Yankees were finally able to get to Cueto in the bottom of the fourth, as Gregorius beat out an infield single, then Teixeira singled and on the fielding error by Williamson, Gregorius scored to give the Yankees a 1-0 lead.

That would be the score for a half inning, as Williamson took a Nova pitch and put it into the Giants bullpen to tie up the game.

Angel Pagan came up with a huge defensive play in the bottom of the eighth inning, as he made a great catch to not only save the game, but he was able to double up Carlos Beltran at first base on a ball hit by Starlin Castro.

The Yankees loaded the bases in the bottom of the 10th inning with one out, as Hicks walked, went to second on a Buster Posey passed ball, Gardner then walked and after Casilla replaced Josh Osich, Ellsbury advanced Hicks and Gardner into scoring position, where one mistake could have given the Yankees the game.

Casilla then walked Beltran intentionally to load the bases; however McCann flew out to Pagan in short left field and then Williamson snagged a fly ball in foul territory to end the inning.

With Dellin Betances on the mound, Pagan walked to leadoff the 11th inning, he then stole second and went to third on a Posey ground ball. With Brandon Crawford at the plate, the Yankees were going to intentionally walk Crawford; however one of Betances throws went to the backstop, but Pagan was unable to score from third base.

Despite giving up a single to Chase Headley in the bottom of the 11th inning, Casilla was able to get out of the inning to setup Brown and Williamson’s heroics in the top of the 12th.

NOTES: This win gave the Giants 30 come-from-behind wins on the season, the most in the majors.

The Giants went 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position, and are 8-for-64 since the All-Star break. On the other hand, the Yankees went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

With the victory, the Giants are now 7-5 in extra inning games, and improve their interleague record up to 7-9.

AP photo: San Francisco Giant rightfielder Mac Williamson gets a facefull of leather from a fan but makes the catch off New York Yankees Stralin Castro who hit the pop at Yankee Stadium in the tenth inning of Saturday night’s game

On the MLB Podcast with Matt, the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Oakland A’s was a long game to say the least that went 13 innings. It was the shortest long game that I’ve ever been to in my life, the first nine innings was done in two hours flat. A’s starter Sean Manaea started the ball game nearly pitched the A’s into nine innings worth of shutout ball. Between the Rays and A’s no one hit the ball hard for the first nine innings.

The San Francisco Giants who are showing no signs of giving up played an extra inning game on Saturday night at Yankee Stadium. The Giants and Pin Stripes played to a 1-1 tie. The Giants who lost Friday night by one run 3-2 and have lost six straight games are itching to end that loss streak on Saturday.

Matt Harrington cover the Oakland A’s and does the MLB podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

By Jeremy Kahn

christianpost.com file photo: Yankee Stadium site of the San Francisco Giants-New York Yankees series this weekend

NEW YORK-The Where is Jeremy Kahn Baseball Tour continued on Wednesday.

Following the San Francisco Giants loss to the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night, Wednesday began a new day in the City of Boston.

After not completing the Freedom Trail on Tuesday, I set out to complete it and that is what I did.

I left my hotel around 9:00 on Wednesday, and once again followed the Freedom Trail, but I was able to cut off some monuments that I saw on Tuesday. I headed towards Fanueil Hall and Quincy Market, and once past Paul Revere’s house and the North Church, it was time to the cross the bridge and go to Charlestown.

Once you get into Charlestown, and you reach Bunker Hill. While at Bunker Hill, you can go into the monument and walk the 294 steps to top of the monument.

Following Bunker Hill it was onto the USS Constitution and the final stop on the Freedom Trail. Although, I was unable to go onto the Constitution, I was able to go thru the Visitor’s Center and see the different sites of “Old Ironsides.”

While walking on the bridge, I was able to see TD Garden, the home of the Celtics and the Boston Bruins. Even though I was unable to get into the Garden; because it was closed, I was able to take a selfie in front of a door that led to the Garden with my Lakers hat on the top of my head.

After leaving the Garden, I headed to Quincy Market, where I had Clam Chowder out of a bread bowl from Boston Clam Chowder Restaurant. Quincy Market is kind of like the Ferry Building in San Francisco, Pike Place Market in Seattle and Reading Terminal in Philadelphia, it is filled with restaurants that popularize in different foods from the Boston area.

Then it was back to my hotel, and then on to finale of the brief two-game series at Fenway Park against the Red Sox.

Following another loss to the Red Sox, and getting about four and a half hour sleep, it was time to check out of my hotel in Boston and head to South Station for my 7:15 Acela Express to Pennsylvania Station in New York.

After a three and a hour train ride to NYC, we arrived at 10:45 and instead of hopping on the Subway, I decided to walk the 14 blocks to my hotel at the corner of West 48th St. & 7th Ave.

I was in my hotel room for all of maybe 15 minutes, before heading out to start my day of sightseeing in New York.

Even though I have been here before, there is some where I have yet to go, since it was opened the last time I was in town and that is the 9/11 Memorial.

I arrived at the Memorial at around 12:30, and it was time to see and remember that fateful day in 2001.

Once you are in the memorial it becomes very chilling and emotional, as within the first five minutes of me being in there, I had tears streaming down my face. I was able to see the entire memorial, and it was one of the most moving and emotional experiences I have ever had in my life.

While in the museum, you are literally in the World Trade Center and you are reliving that day thru video, phone calls and pictures. There is also FDNY Fire Engines that were destroyed at that day, pieces of all four planes and pieces of the World Trade Center that were preserved after the demolition what remained.

Actually, prior to going into the Memorial, I knew I was going to be emotional; because in 2010, my last trip to NYC, I went to the World Trade Center Visitors Museum and I broke down after meeting the mother of a FDNY Firefighter who died on that day. The day September 11 is very hard for me, as it was my grandmother’s birthday and despite the fact that my grandmother passed away in 1979, we always remember her birthday.

Following three and 45 minutes inside the Memorial, I was on my to get something to eat and I got the Subway at Courtland Street and headed to the Lower East Side for Katz’s Deli on East Houston Street. Once inside there, I ordered a Corned Beef on rye with pickles. This was one of the best sandwiches I had in my life. After finishing my sandwich, it was back to the Subway and back to my hotel.

I decided to call a night after getting back to my hotel, as I knew Friday was going to be a long day.

On the recommendation of both George Devine, Jr., and Michael Duca, I needed to go the NYC Transit Museum in Downtown Brooklyn and what a great recommendation it was.

Upon arriving there, I thought it was going to be at least $20.00 to go in; because the 9/11 Memorial was $24.00 for adults.

Boy was I wrong, as it was just $7 for adults and $5 for children. Usually, people spent about 90 minutes there; however I spent two hours there and had a fantastic time learning the history of the NYC Transit System and was able to see trains and buses from different eras.

I left Brooklyn, and headed to 32 Spring Street for lunch at the first Pizzeria in the United States, Lombardi’s a place that was established in 1905.

Famous for their coal pizza, it was one of the best pizzas I have ever had and it is definitely on my places to go to again.

After lunch, it was back to my hotel and head to the Bronx for the Giants against the New York Yankees and the beginning of a three-game series.

By Jeremy Kahn

AP photo: New York Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka thinks it over after walking the San Francisco Giants Jarrett Parker to load up the bases in the fourth inning of Friday night’s game at Yankee Stadium

NEW YORK-When will the San Francisco Giants break out of this post All-Star funk that they are in, and get back into the win column.

Austin Romine beat out a throw from Brandon Crawford in the bottom of the eighth inning that enabled the New York Yankees to defeat the Giants 3-2 before a crowd of 45,304 at Yankee Stadium.

This is the Giants sixth loss in a row, their longest losing streak of the season, topping the five-game losing streak they suffered from April 17-21. They have lost six out of their last seven interleague games, and are now 6-9 in interleague this season.

The Giants are the first team since the 1991 Los Angeles Dodgers to start the second half with a six-game losing streak after finishing the first half of the season with the majors’ best record, this according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

Chase Headley led off the bottom of the eighth inning with a single off of eventual losing pitcher Josh Osich, then pinch-hitter Mark Teixeira walked and then Romine hit into a force play; however Crawford’s throw got by Brandon Belt to allow Headley score from all the way from second base.

With the error in the bottom of the eighth inning, it was the third error of the game for Crawford, his first three error game of his major league career. This was the first multi-error game for Crawford since June 14, 2015 against the Arizona Diamondbacks at AT&T Park.

The Giants tied up the game in the top of the eighth inning, as Trevor Brown singled with one out, then after a Crawford strikeout for the second out of the inning, pinch hitter Grant Green singled, and then pinch hitter Mac Williamson doubled off the left field wall to allow Brown to score and tie up the game.

On the season, Williamson is 4-for-9 (.444) as a pinch hitter.

Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman came on in the ninth inning, and closed it out for his 20th save of the season in 21 chances; however it got dicey after Gregor Blanco hit a 102 mile per hour fastball for a double. Unfortunately for Giants fans that would be the only hit or baserunner against Chapman on the evening.

Chapman then retired Denard Span on a ground out, Angel Pagan nearly tied up the game; however Starlin Castro caught the line drive for the second out of the inning and then Chapman ended the game, when he got Brandon Belt to strikeout swinging.

Castro doubled to left field to score Brett Gardner in the bottom of the first inning to get the Yankees on the board.

Gardner led off the bottom of the first inning with a single off of Madison Bumgarner, and then scored on the Castro that saw reach third base on a Brandon Crawford throwing error.

Following the Gardner double and subsequent move an additional 90 feet on the Crawford throwing error, Carlos Beltran then walked, but Alex Rodriguez flew out to right field; however Castro was unable to score from third base.

Bumgarner then got Chase Headley to pop out to third base, but then Rob Refsnyder walked to load the bases; however Bumgarner was able to get out of the jam, when Austin Romine flew out to centerfield to end the inning.

It was a tough no-decision for Bumgarner, who went seven innings, allowing two runs on seven hits, while walking three and striking out six.

Over his final five innings of work, Bumgarner did not allow a run and just three hits, while only two Yankees players were able to reach second base and none reached third base while he was in the game.

After getting both Buster Posey and Brandon Crawford on to leadoff the second inning, Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka was able to Conor Gillaspie, Jarrett Parker and Ramiro Pena in succession to end the inning.

Tanaka went six innings, allowing no runs, while scattering four hits to the struggling Giants lineup, walked two and struck out four. Unfortunately, like Bumgarner he did not fare in the decision.

Carlos Beltran drove in the Yankees second run of the game in the bottom of the second inning, as he singled in Ronald Torreyes, who singled with one out. Just prior to the Beltran single, Castro picked up in his second hit in as many at-bats.

Once again in the top of the third inning, the Giants were unable to get on the board after Blanco reached on a Refsnyder fielding error, then went to third on a Denard Span single. Pagan then flew out to right field, and Blanco tagged up on the play and was thrown out at the plate.

It looked like Blanco was able to get his fingers across the plate prior to Romine tagging him; however home plate umpire Alfonso Marquez called Blanco out at the plate. The Giants must have seen something different then Marquez’s call, as they challenged the play at the plate; however after a 2:20 review and the play stood.

The Giants loaded the bases with one out in the top of the fourth inning when Posey singled then after a Crawford strike out, Gillapsie singled then Jarrett Parker walk to load the bases, but Tanaka got Ramiro Pena to pop out to Romine and the Giants threat ended, as Blanco struck out to end the inning.

Posey gave the Giants a scare in the top of the fourth inning, as he fouled a ball off his right foot and after the inning, he was replaced by Brown.

X-Rays on the foot were negative, but Posey was diagnosed as having a contusion on the foot.

Dellin Betances came on to replace Tanaka in the top of the seventh inning, and the Giants finally got on the board. Parker walked to leadoff the inning, but then Betances got both Pena and Blanco to strikeout in succession; however Denard Span doubled down the right field line and Parker was stopped at third base by third base coach Roberto Kelly.

The Yankees bullpen who failed to allow a run in 31 straight innings saw that streak come to an end, as Betances threw a wild pitch that allowed Parker to score.

NOTES: Bumgarner leads the majors with 17 quality starts.

In nine of his 21 starts this season, Bumgarner has tossed at seven innings and allowed two runs or fewer.

Chapman becomes the 11th Yankees reliever in team history to record 20 saves in a season. He is the fifth different pitcher in the last five seasons to have 20 saves or more in a season.

Andrew Miller saved 36 in 2015, David Robertson saved 39 in 2014, Mariano Rivera saved 44 in his last season of 2013 and Rafael Soriano saved 42 in 2012, while Rivera was recovering from knee surgery.

The Yankees are now 207-146 (.586) since interleague play began in 1997. The 207 wins are the most by any team in Major League Baseball, and the .586 winning percentage is the highest of any team.

Jeff Samardzija takes the ball for the Giants on Saturday, as he looks for his 10th win of the season. Ivan Nova will take the mound for the Yankees.

Sent from my iPad

By Jeremy Harness

AP photo: San Francisco Giant pitcher Matt Cain got shell shocked after the Boston Red Sox got around on the ball on him last Wednesday night at Fenway Park

Last weekend showed why absolutely nothing is certain in the game of baseball.

After closing out the first half of the season with the best record in the majors despite hitting the skids a bit going into the All-Star break, the Giants appear to have an easy way to get things moving again paved beautifully for them.

After all, they had the San Diego Padres, to whom they had not lost a single game the entire year, waiting for them as they headed down south for a three-game series, with Madison Bumgarner, Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija waiting to take the ball and get the Giants three quick wins.

Well, not only did they have their winning streak snapped, but they were swept in that weekend series in embarrassing fashion, as the second game ended as closer Santiago Casilla not only blew a one-run lead without recording a single out, but he balked in the winning run in a manner that has not been seen on the major-league level in a very long time.

Partially due to this, the team is reported to be looking to shore up their bullpen ahead of the league’s trade deadline.

The struggles did not end in San Diego, however. The Giants then dropped two more games to the Boston Red Sox, as starters Jake Peavy and Matt Cain, who was making his first start since mid-June, each struggled. Meanwhile, they have seen their considerable lead in the National League West dwindle to four games over the rival Los Angeles Dodgers.

For the Giants, that help cannot come fast enough. They still have a three-game series in New York against the Yankees, with whom the Giants have struggled over the years, before returning home to face the Cincinnati Reds for a three-gamer that starts on Monday, to be followed by a four-game series when the Washington Nationals pay a visit to AT&T Park.

 

By Jeremy Kahn

AP photo: The Boston Red Sox Hanley Ramirez goes yard three times against the San Francisco Giants and thanks God almighty for the help while crossing the plate at Fenway Park on Wednesday night

BOSTON-In what was probably the weirdest game of the season, just two words come to mind. Hanley Ramirez.

This will be a night that the Boston Red Sox first baseman will never forget, as he hit three two-run home runs and drove in six runs and the Boston Red Sox defeated the San Francisco Giants 11-7 before a sellout crowd of 38,201 at Fenway Park.

With the loss, the Giants have lost five games in a row, tying their longest losing streak of the season. The Giants also lost five in a row from April 17-21.

The three home runs were a career-high for Ramirez, as were the six runs batted in for the slugging first baseman.

This was the first multi-home run game of the season for Ramirez, and his first since April 26, 2015, when he hit two home runs against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.

With the six runs batted in, it broke his previous career-high of five that was done on four different occasions and the last being on April 6, 2015 against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

Ramirez is the first Giants opponent to have three home runs and to drive in six runs batted in since Jeff Cirillo of the Colorado Rockies accomplished it on June 28, 2000 at Coors Field.

All in all, the Giants allowed five home runs, the most that they allowed in a single game since allowing five on April 21, 2014 against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.

Matt Cain did not last thru the third inning, as he went just 2.1 innings, allowing five runs on six hits, walking one and striking out three in his first start for the Giants since June 13 against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Cain also gave up three of the five home runs on the evening, including two to Ramirez and one to Travis Shaw.

“It looked Cainer came to pitch,” said Brown, after Cain retired the Red Sox in order on just seven pitches in the bottom of the first inning.

The Red Sox got to Cain in the bottom of the second inning, they scored three runs, that included Ramirez’s first home run and Shaw’s solo home run.

It what was in the bottom of the third inning that the Red Sox looked like they were going to run away and hide, as Ramirez hit his second two-run home run and that was the end of the night for Cain.

“Not necessarily, I gotta away with a couple of them, two mistakes down the middle to Hanley and then the same thing to Shaw,” said Cain. “I missed the spots pretty badly,” Cain added.

Albert Suarez came on to replace Cain, and promptly gave up a double to Jackie Bradley, Jr., and after a fly out by Shaw, Suarez allowed three straight extra base hits and the Red Sox took a commanding 8-0 lead.

The Giants decided enough was enough, and they were tired of getting bullied around by the Red Sox, as they scored five runs in the fourth inning.

Mac Williamson supplied the big blow in the inning, as he hit a three-run home run off of Red Sox starter Drew Pomeranz.

Buster Posey led off the inning with a walk, then Brandon Crawford singled and then Williamson put a Pomeranz 3-1 pitch into the netting above the Green Monster for his fifth home run of the season.

Following the Williamson home run, Grant Green singled then Trevor Brown hit his fifth home run of the season to get the Giants within three runs at 8-5. Ramiro Pena continued the onslaught, as he became the seventh straight Giants player to reach base, when he singled and that was the end of Pomeranz’s first start as a member of the Red Sox after acquired from the San Diego Padres on Thursday.

“I can’t say enough about how these guys battled, when we get down eight runs and the tying run to the plate in the next inning,” said Bruce Bochy. “They didn’t quit, they kept coming,” Bochy added.

Brown went 3-for-5 with two runs scored, and two runs batted in. Four of Brown’s five home runs on the season have hit been on the road.

Pomeranz lasted three innings, allowing five runs on eight hits, walking two and striking out four; however he did not fare in the decision since he did not pitch the required five innings.

The Giants continued their amazing comeback in the top of the fifth inning, as they scored two more runs to get within one run.

Unfortunately, that would be as close as the Giants would get, as Ramirez hit his third two-run home run of the game in bottom of the sixth inning and Sandy Leon would put the finishing touches on the scoring, when he hit his third home run of the season in the bottom of the seventh inning.

By Jeremy Kahn

AP photo: Former Boston Red Sox Jake Peavy pitching for the San Francisco Giants delivers a pitch in the first inning in Fenway Park on Tuesday night

BOSTON-Jake Peavy would love to have two pitches back that he threw on the night in his return to Fenway Park.

After retiring the first eight batters, Peavy gave up a solo home run to Brock Holt on a 3-2 pitch in the bottom of the third inning for the only run that the Boston Red Sox would need, as they defeated the San Francisco Giants 4-0 before a sellout crowd of 38,082, the largest crowd of the season at Fenway Park.

“Funny how that one played out, set up an inning with the guy I want to face in that situation, did get the pitch where it needed to be, Brock had a good at-bat earlier,” said Peavy.

This was the fourth consecutive loss for the Giants, the team’s longest losing streak since losing five in a row from April 17-21. Also it was the fifth shutout of the season against the Giants, and the first since June 20, when they were shutout versus the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.

As for the Red Sox, they have won seven out of their last eight games and nine out of their last 11 and are now a season-high 13 games over .500.

In two of the four games that the Giants have played at Fenway Park, they have been shutout by the Red Sox, including a 1-0 loss by tomorrow’s starting pitcher Matt Cain, who allowed a solo home run to Manny Ramirez in the bottom of the fourth inning, for the only run of the game.

Of all the players who played in that game for both the Giants and Red Sox, the only ones left are Cain for the Giants, Ortiz and Pedroia for the Red Sox. While Barry Bonds was the designated hitter and he went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout.

The Giants are now 6-7 in interleague play, and 1-2 versus the Red Sox this season. Overall, the Giants fall to 5-10 against the Red Sox.

Peavy got into trouble in the bottom of the fourth inning, as he walked Dustin Pedroia, then Xander Bogaerts singled and then David Ortiz launched a 451-foot home run into the right center field seats for his 23rd home run of the season.

It was a bittersweet homecoming for Peavy, who helped lead the Red Sox to their third World Championship in 10 years in 2013 and was given a rousing ovation by the Red Sox fans.

“That was awesome, I love Fenway Park to comeback here as a visitor, tonight was different; because you are in compete mode,” said Peavy.

The Red Sox played a video that showed Peavy when he played for the Red Sox, and they put a sign on the scoreboard that said “Welcome back Jake Peavy, 2013 World Champion.”

In all, Peavy went six innings, allowing those four runs on just three hits, walking just one and striking out six.

Angel Pagan went 2-for-4, for his second multi-hit game over his last three games. Denard Span also went 2-for-4, as he raised his average to .316 all-time, as he is 18-for-57 in 15 career games all-time at Fenway Park.

Rick Porcello pitched a great game for the Red Sox, as he went 6.1 innings, scattering four hits, walking just two and striking out three. Porcello raised his record to 9-0 in 10 starts at Fenway Park this season, becoming the first Red Sox pitcher since Dennis Eckersley in 1978 to begin a season 9-0.

It was the 526th career home run for Ortiz, his fourth in his last five games. Ortiz tied Tony Gwynn for 98th place in MLB history with 1,383 runs scored.

Peavy was not the only Giants player honored with a video tribute and a rousing ovation, as Javier Lopez, who pitched for the Red Sox during their 2007 World Championship was shown appreciation as he came on to face the Red Sox in the bottom of the seventh inning.

By Jeremy Kahn

commons.wikimedia.org file photo: Fenway Park in Boston where the San Francisco Giants are for a two games series starting Tuesday night

BOSTON-It is hard to believe that a lifelong Los Angeles Lakers fan is in the town where the Lakers longtime nemesis, the Boston Celtics call home, but I am in Boston.

Yes, it is time for Where is Jeremy Kahn taking his annual Baseball trip? Well, it brought to me to the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the first time in my life.

After an adventurous Monday that saw me leave San Francisco at 6:10 (Pacific), and get to Newark at 2:30 (Eastern). In what was supposed to be a one hour 59 minute layover in New Jersey’s largest city turned into a five hour and 15 minute layover that included a weather delay, a plane cancellation and then finally I was on my way to Boston at 7:45 (Eastern).

Finally at 8:50 (Eastern), we landed at Logan International Airport and after waiting about 20 minutes for my luggage, it was time to head to my hotel in Downtown Boston via the Silver (T) Line.

When I finally arrived at my hotel via a short cab ride, it was just about 10:00 (Eastern) and I was hungry, since the only thing I ate all day was two slices of pizza and frozen yogurt. I was able to check into my hotel, dropped off my bags and went to dinner.

Via television shows on both the Food Network and the Travel Channel, and also listening to current World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) superstar Kofi Kingston via WWE television, I knew that my first meal in Boston was to be at Legal Seafood, a Boston tradition since 1950.

Luckily for me, there is a Legal Seafood about three blocks from my hotel; therefore it was destiny that I would go there for dinner.

I got there at 10:15, and they closed at 11:00, so I was able to be seated before they closed.

As for dinner, I ordered a cup of New England Clam Chowder, an appetizer of Calamari and for my main course, I had Shrimp and Garlic with Pasta. The pasta also included tomatoes, mushrooms and onions. It was a phenomenal meal, and hopefully before I leave, I will be going to get some Clam Chowder.

Luckily, I was able to sleep in a little bit today and then off to see the sights of the State Capital of Massachusetts.

Originally, I was heading to Brookline and the birthplace of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy; however the house is a National Park and it is closed on both on Mondays and Tuesday; therefore it was a change of plans.

What was originally planned for Wednesday was changed to today, as I embarked on the Freedom Trail and to see different historical spots in the City of Boston, a city that was founded in 1630.

The Freedom Trail near the Boston Common, and at the beginning of the Freedom Trail, you are met by a tour guide as someone from the Revolutionary War era in American history.

Like in the movie “Wizard of Oz,” where you follow the Yellow Brick Road; however on the Freedom Trail, you follow the Red Brick Road.

I got to see where Samuel Adams, Paul Revere and Crispus Attucks were buried, went to the State House, Fanueil Hall, Quincy Market, Paul Revere’s House in the North End and many other historical places. The end of the Freedom Trail will be completed tomorrow, as I head to Bunker Hill on the other side of the Charles River.

After a nearly three mile walk, I turned around at the North Church and returned to my hotel for about an hour prior to heading to the Oldest Ballpark in the Major Leagues.

Taking the T, to Fenway is the only way to go, unless you Uber or take a cab. The T drops you off in Kenmore Square, and it is about ten minute walk to the ballpark.

Finally, I was able to get my credential and it was time to see this famous ballpark and what a sight to see.

Walking on the field, being in the clubhouse was unreal and made me think about all the players who have in that visiting clubhouse since 1912, when the ballpark opened.

Time for the game, see you soon from my next destination.