Category: San Francisco Giants

Giants Beat Diamondbacks In Ten Innings 6-5

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San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey (left) congratulates closer Camilo Doval (right) after finishing off the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix Wed Jul 2, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (46-41) got a great start in game three of their four-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks (43-43). The Giants first at bat in the game Mike Yastrzemski hit a solo home run and the Giants would finish with nine hits beating Arizona 5-3 Wednesday. Jung Hoo Lee had a great game with a single, double and triple in five at-bats.

Game recap: The Giants could not have gotten this game going any better than they did in this one. In the games first at bat Yastrzemski knocked the ball out of the park, a shot to right center and San Francisco was on the board 1-0. Lee came to the plate and tripled driving Wilmer Flores home extending their lead to 2-0. The Giants had two hits in the inning as well as a walk.

The Giants scored another insurance run in the top of the fifth inning. Brett Wisely doubled and Rafael Devers singled him home for a 3-0 lead. Through five innings the Giants had five hits and Lee was having a great game with a triple and a double.

This game took an ugly turn when Arizona’s Alek Thomas hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth inning and the DIamondbacks were on the board 3-1. San Francisco pitcher Landon Roupp had a rough inning with back-to-back walks and a Ketel Marte single loading the bases. Roupp was relieved by Erik Miller who got the Giants out of the inning but did give up a run and it was now a one-run game 3-2.

The Giants got out of the seventh inning with two Arizona runners on base and no outs. They took the 3-2 lead into the top of the eighth inning looking to push the lead out with some insurance runs.

Lee had his third hit of the game, a single. Lee advanced to second base on a walk and San Francisco had two runners on base with one out. Patrick Bailey singled Lee home and the Giants had that insurance run now leading 4-2 and were looking for more with two runners still on base and one out.

Wisely accommodated with a single; Luis Matos scored and San Francisco was in good shape with another insurance run leading 5-2. The Diamondback’s scored one run in the eighth inning but trailing 5-3 they were down to their last three outs.

Camilo Duval would take the mound looking to close out this game for the Giants. When it was looking so very good for San Francisco Duval gave up a home run to Ketel Marte with Geraldo Perdomo on base and this game was tied 5-5. Arizona could not get the walk-off and the game went into extra innings.

Heliot Ramos singled in the tenth inning and San Francisco had runners at first and third with no outs. Lee who was the second base runner scored on a Bailey sacrifice and the Giants took a 6-5 lead going into the bottom of the tenth inning.

The Diamondbacks had a runner on third base but could not bring him home and that was the ball game with the Giants coming out on top 6-5. After leading for the entire game, the Giants got it done although it took ten innings to do it.

Game notes: Wednesday evening the Giants completed their series with the Diamondbacks with the final game of the series Wednesday evening winning 6-5 at Chase Field. San Francisco dropped the first two games of the series losing game one 4-2 and going on to lose game two after leading 2-0 early in the game.

The Diamondbacks scored in four consecutive innings hitting four home runs to win the game 8-2. After scoring the two runs, the Giants did not score for the rest of the game, in fact after the third inning, the San Francisco offense went stagnant. They were able to get the offense going in Wednesday night’sgame although they have been struggling for awhile now.

Thursday the Giants will be looking to tie up this series in game four. Robbie Ray will take the mound for San Francisco with a 8-3 win/loss record and a 2.75 ERA. The Diamondbacks will start Brandon Pfaadt who comes into this game with a 8-5 win/loss record and a 5.38 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 6:40 PM.

Giants Offense Meltdown Results In Another Loss To Diamondbacks 8-2; SF’s Melvin reupped for one more season

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San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin received a one year contract option through the 2026 season on Tue Jul 1, 2025. Here is Melvin (right) speaking with Giants third base coach Matt Williams (left) in the San Francisco dugout against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field in Chicago on Sun Jun 29, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (45-41) lost game two of their series against the Arizona Diamondbacks (43-42) 8-2 Tuesday night and would be playing Wednesday to avoid a sweep. Going into this series they were favored but they can’t seem to get out of their offensive funk and throw in woes on the mound and San Francisco after taking an early 2-0 lead crumbled allowing Arizona to score eight runs.

The Diamondbacks hit four home runs, two back to back in the sixth inning which really sealed the deal. After scoring the two runs in the second inning San Francisco were unable to score again, in fact they had no hits after the third inning through the seventh. They finished with only six hits in this game.

Game recap: San Francisco got this game going in the right direction scoring two runs in the second inning taking a 2-0 lead. Willy Adames scored the first run with a 409 foot home run and a 1-0 Giants lead. In the same inning, Patrick Bailey grounded out allowing baserunner Daniel Johnson to score extending the Giants lead to 2-0.

The Diamondbacks were trailing going into the bottom of the third inning but that was all about to change in dramatic fashion. Arizona scored a run in the inning cutting the Giants lead in half 2-1. Geraldo Perdomo singled James McCann home and the Diamondbacks were just getting started.

The Arizona offense exploded over the next three innings and the Giants were unable to a thing about it. The Diamondbacks hit four home runs out of the park the first in the fourth inning a three run homer off the bat of Jake McCarthy with Eugenio Suarez and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. on base taking a 4-2 lead, their first lead in the game. In the fifth inning another long ball for two more runs. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. homered with Eugenio Suarez on base for two more runs extending their lead 6-2.

The Diamondbacks would hit two more home runs both of them solo shots. Randal Grichuk and James McCann both got in on the action with back to back home runs in the sixth inning. It was a scoring frenzy for Arizona during a four inning span. The final was 8-2 and Arizona had taken a 2-0 series lead.

It was a real disappointment for the Giants considering the way they got this game going. They had a pretty good third inning with a Rafael Devers double and a Wilmer Flores single. That was when it all came crashing down. They only had a couple of hits for the remainder of the game in an offensive meltdown.

It was also a rough day on the mound for starting pitcher Hayden Birdsong as well as relief pitcher Carson Seymour. Birdsong pitched four innings allowing three hits, four runs, four walks and six strikeouts.. Seymour went three innings and allowed five hits, four runs and two strikeouts. It was not a great outing for either pitcher.

Game notes: The Giants took on the Diamondbacks and once more couldn’t get out of their offensive funk. They have been struggling for awhile now and nothing seems to change. They have lost to far too many teams that they should beat.

It’s just a mystery and impossible to explain what has happened to this offense; where did it go and more importantly how do they get it back on track. The Diamondbacks did most of their damage in the fourth inning scoring three runs and in the fifth inning scoring two more runs to wind up getting a six run 8-2 win over the Giants on Tuesday night.

The Giants announced they were exercising manager Bob Melvin’s contract option for the 2026 season. Melvin and the Giants are just five games over .500 and in third place in the NL West. Melvin who caught for the Giants has his dream job as manager for San Francisco and is managing his 22nd season. The Giants showing faith in Melvin extending him for one more season.

Wednesday this series will wrap up in game three. San Francisco will be looking to avoid a sweep while the Diamondbacks will be eying a sweep. Landon Roupp will take the mound for the Giants with a 6-5 win/loss record and a 3.43 ERA. Arizona will start Merrill Kelly with a 7-4 win/loss record and a 3.49 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 6:40 PM PT.

Giants Drop Game One Against Diamondbacks 4-2, Bob Melvin Ejected

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San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin says his piece after being ejected by plate umpire Quinn Wolcott in the ninth inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on Mon Jun 30, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (45-40) came up short in their series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks (42-42) losing 4-2. It was an interesting game for a number of reasons. Manager Bob Melvin was ejected from the game when he complained to the home plate umpire.

Heliot Ramos got a miserable call and Melvin was out there standing up for his player. When it appeared that Christian Koss had hit a home run and tied up the game, the play was reviewed and it was determined that there was fan interference and Koss was awarded second base. It was not the way the Giants wanted to start this series. They were not able to catch a break in this game.

Game recap: San Francisco was quiet offensively through the first five innings with only 3 hits. The Diamondbacks were fairly quiet as well although in the third inning they were able to put one run up on the scoreboard taking an early 1-0 lead. Jose Herrera hit a sacrifice bunt allowing base runner Alek Thomas to score the early run from second base. Going into the sixth inning, each team had only managed three hits apiece.

The Diamondbacks struck again in the bottom of the sixth inning a home run off the bat of Lourdes Gurriel Jr., a shot to left center extending the Arizona lead 2-0.

San Francisco’s Dominic Smith got the Giants fourth hit of the game in the seventh inning and it was a good one, a double with only one out and Willie Adames at the plate. Adames got an infield single and San Francisco had runners at first and second base with two outs.

Tyler Fitzgerald would try and bring some runs home as he took the plate. Fitzgerald got the job done with some good wood, a bullet deep into center field bringing both Smith and Adames home to tie up this game 2-2. With one good swing, Fitzgerald got the Giants right back in this ball game.

The D’Backs got something going in the bottom of the seventh inning. Alek Thomas hit a single followed by a Jose Herrera single and Arizona had runners on first and third with only one out. The tie was short-lived when Geraldo Perdomo singled driving Thomas home for a 3-2 Arizona lead.

Giving up three singles in a row resulted in Giant’s pitcher Logan Webb exiting the game, relieved by Randy Rodriguez. Rodriguez got San Francisco out of the inning and it was onto the eighth inning.

When it appeared that San Francisco’s Christian Koss had homered in the eighth inning the play was reviewed and it was determined that there was a possibility of fan interference. After a very lengthy review Koss was awarded second base and Brett Wisely would run for Koss when it appeared he had a hip issue.

Arizona got out of the top of the inning hanging onto the 3-2 lead. As it turned out the Giants would need more than one run to tie the game. Eugenio Suarez hit the second Diamondback home run of the game in the bottom of the eighth inning, a solo shot giving Arizona a 4-2 lead.

This game went into the ninth inning and the Giants had their work cut out for them needing at least two runs to tie up this game. It was a three up and three down for San Francisco and the Diamondbacks had won the first game of the series 4-2.

Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb had a very good game but San Francisco just didn’t get the hits or the breaks needed to win this game. Webb got through 6 1/3 innings and allowed seven hits, three earned runs, one walk and seven strikeouts.

Game notes: Monday afternoon the Giants took on the Diamondbacks getting a three-game series underway. The Giants are coming off a disappointing series with the Chicago White Sox losing the series. Some poor production at the plate has hampered the Giants and Monday night was no exception as the Giants again were able to tie the Diamondbacks but couldn’t surpass them and Arizona was able to score twice to hand the Giants seventh loss in their last eight games.

Tomorrow game two will get underway at 6:40 PM. Hayden Birdsong will take the mound for San Francisco with a 4.13 ERA. The Diamondbacks will start Zac Gallen who had a 5-9 win/loss record and a 5.75 ERA. San Francisco will be in search of some improved offense and a win in game two of the series.

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic: Giants hoping to rebound from Sox trip; SF opens 3 game set with Diamondbacks tonight

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San Francisco Giants starter Justin Verlander still searching for that first win of the season after 13 starts. Verlander deals against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field in Chicago on Sun Jun 29, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic:

#1 Marko rough trip to Chicago as the Chicago White Sox took two out of three from the Giants. The White Sox took Saturday’s game by a narrow margin 1-0 and on Sunday kept the Giants hitting to a low roar with a 5-2 win.

#2 The Sox Kyle Teel hit a go ahead two run double with the bags juiced in the bottom of the seventh inning. It also left Giants starter Justin Verlander winless in the 2025 campaign in 13 appearances.

#3 The Sox starter Jonathan Cannon with the help of five relievers were all able to strike out 11 batters. Tyler Gilbert was able to strike out two hitters in an inning of work to get the win. Closer Mike Vasil was able to close the door for his second save of the season.

#4 Verlander has not won in 13 straight starts which is the longest streak for a starter since 1901. The previous loss streak for Verlander was seven games. Verlander is a three time Cy Young Award winner.

#5 Monday night it’s the Giants and Diamondbacks. Starting pitcher for the Giants RHP Logan Webb (7-5 ERA 2.52) for the Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (4-2 ERA 3.71) at Chase Field in Phoenix.

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

Giants Lose Another Series Falling to White Sox 5-2; Sox 4 run seventh does in SF

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Chicago White Sox catcher Kyle Teel (left) and pitcher Mike Vasil (right) celebrate another rare White Sox win over the San Francisco Giants at Rate Field in Chicago on Sun Jun 29, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (45-39) lost another series, this one to the Chicago White Sox (27-56) 5-2. This was their second series loss in a row. The Giants continue to underperform at the plate. They finished the game with only five hits, the White Sox with 11.

Justin Verlander has not won a game this season although he did pitch a good game in this one. HIs ERA improved from 4.52 to 4.26 in this game. Relief pitching allowed four runs in this game which sealed the deal for Chicago.

Game recap: The White Sox got to work early in the first inning taking a 1-0 lead. Andrew Benintendi sacrificed to left field and base runner Mike Tauchman scored getting up on the scoreboard for a nice Chicago start.

San Francisco tied up this game in the second inning when Patrick Bailey doubled with a bullet hit to right field and base runner Christian Koss scored. This game was all knotted up 1-1. The White Sox threatened twice in the second inning with a runner on base. Chicago hit two deep balls that were corralled by Mike Yastrzemski in right field and a second caught by Jung Hoo Lee in centerfield robbing the White Sox of at least a couple of doubles as well as a run and the lead in this game.

The tie persisted going into the fifth inning. Work on the mound collapsed for the White Sox when Jordan Leasure relieved relief pitcher Brandon Eisert. Leasure walk Devers after striking out Ramos and went on to walk WIlmer Flores and Willie Adames for three walks in the inning. He loaded the bases and the Adames walk allowed Devers to score breaking the tie for a 2-1 San Francisco lead. The Giants still had the bases loaded. San Francisco would not score agains in the inning leaving runners stranded.

Justin Verlander finshed the game going six innings . He was relieved in the seventh inning by Erik Miller. Verlander had a great showing on the mound in his six innings of pitching.

The White Sox started off the seventh inning still trailing 1-2 but threatened putting two runners on base with Mike Tauchman and Chase Meidroth both hitting singles with only one out.

Andrew Benintendi grounded out advancing the runners to second and third with two outs. Chicago cashed in taking the lead 3-2. Miguel Vargas walked loading the bases. Kyle Teel doubled driving Slater (who ran for Taushman) and Meidroth home for their first lead since the first inning.

The White Sox were not finished in a horrible inning for San Francisco. Miguel Vargas extended the Chicago lead when he scored on a balk 4-2. Lenyn Sosa came to the plate and singled Kyle Teel home and the White Sox had a 5-2 lead going into the eighth inning.

San Francisco had some work to do with only two innings left to do it in. Scattered rain drips had hampered both teams throughout the game but they were able to play on.

The Giants got two runners on base to start the eighth inning. Jung Hoo Lee was hit by a pitch and Christian Koss singled to right. Patrick Bailey struck out for the first out but Wisely walked loading the bases with only one out.

It was time for a pitching change for Chicago as Tyler Gilbert took over on the mound. When it was looking so good for San Francisco Heliot Ramos hit into a double play and the Giants had squandered a great opportunity.

The White Sox threatened again the eighth inning with runners on first and third but the Giants got out of the inning and this game went into the top of the ninth inning. San Francisco was down to their final three outs.

Rafael Devers, Wilmer Flores and Mike Yastrzemski were the last hope for the Giants in this game. Devers struck out but Flores walked and San Francisco had a runner on base with one out. The Giants again hit into a double play and that was the ball game with Chicago winning the game and the series 5-2.

This was another tough series loss for the Giants. This was a series that they should have won but the White Sox finished the game with 11 hits and the Giants only five. They continue to operate very poorly offensively. They have fallen into second place tied with the San Diego Padres who with the Dodger win today trail 7.5 games behind Los Angeles.

Game notes: After a disappointing game Saturday losing to the Chicago White Sox 1-0 the Giants came in hoping to win the series but only dropped it as the Sox won it two games to one. The Giant’s offense were sluggish Saturday with only four hits and once again lacked production at the plate Sunday.

The weather was looking inclement as first pitch got closer. Rain threatened the start of the game and that was coupled with a very humid 89 degrees. San Francisco starter Justin Verlander will have to wait another start for his first win of the season. Verlander pitched six innings, five hits, one earned run, two walks, and three strike outs. For Chicago starter Jonathan Cannon pitched three innings, three hits, one earned run, three walks, four strikeouts.

San Francisco will now travel to Arizona for a four-game series with the Diamondbacks. First pitch for that game Monday is scheduled for 6:40 PM. San Francisco will start Robbie Ray who has a 8-3 win/loss record and a 2.75 ERA. The Diamondbacks Brandon Pfaadt will take the mound with a 8-5 win/loss record and a 5.38 ERA.

Giants Start Road Trip In Right Direction Beating Chicago White Sox 3-1

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San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey connects for a two run RBI triple in the top of the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field in Chicago on Fri Jun 27, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (45-37) got their ten-game road trip going in the right direction Friday night beating the Chicago White Sox (26-56) in game one of their series 3-1. The White Sox did score first in the first inning but the Giants tied it up in the third inning 1-1.

They added a couple more runs in the sixth inning when Patrick Bailey hit a triple taking a 3-1 lead that was the final score. San Francisco only had six hits but it was enough to get the job done.

Game recap: The White Sox got up on the scoreboard in the first inning taking the early 1-0 lead. The White Sox Chase Meidroth scored on a San Francisco error for the run. Willy Adames was charged with an error, his 12th error of the season. The Sox hung onto the lead through the second inning but it was the third inning that this game took a turn and continued on that course going into the ninth inning.

The Giants scored once in the third inning when Wilmer Flores doubled driving Patrick Bailey home tying up the game 1-1.

San Francisco would add on in the sixth inning with two insurance runs. Bailey had another hit, a triple driving Willy Adames and Christian Koss home for a 3-1 lead and the Giants had some breathing room. They would take that lead into the bottom of the ninth inning.

Each team had gone through four pitchers in the game. Landon Roupp pitched 5 1/3 innings allowing seven hits, no earned runs, two walks and four strikeouts. Ryan Walker would relieve him finishing off the sixth inning. Randy Rodriguez pitched the seventh inning and Tyler Rogers the eighth inning.

Both pitchers had great innings. Camilo Doval would take the mound in the ninth inning to try and finish off this game in favor of the Giants. The Giants were three outs away from taking the first game of this series.

The White Sox starting pitcher Aaron Civale went only four innings allowing three hits, ine earned run, four walks and four strikeouts. Tyler Alexander would relieve him in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings.

After some recent struggles, Doval got the ninth inning underway dismissing Edgar Quero on a ground out and followed that up with a Mike Tauchman strike out. He would go on to strike out Chase Meidroth for the third out and that was the ball game. The Giants had a great start in this three game series as they start a ten game road trip.

Game notes: Friday night, the Giants took on the White Sox at Rate Field. The Giants are coming off a disappointing series with the Miami Marlins getting swept. The White Sox also had a rough series to start the week losing a series to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

They did win game three but got stomped pretty good in game one losing 10-0 and also lost game two. San Francisco starter Landen Roupp pitched 5.1 innings, surrendering seven hits, no earned runs, two walks and four strikeouts. For ChiSox starter Aaron Civale four innings pitched, three hits, one earned run, four walks, four strikeouts.

San Francisco will be looking to take a 2-0 lead in this series Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 1:10 PM. Chicago will face Robbie Ray who will take the mound for the Giants. He has been pitching lights out and has a 8-2 win/loss record and a 2.83 ERA. The White Sox will start Adrian Houser who comes into this game with a 2-2 win/loss record and a 2.27 ERA.

San Francisco Giants podcast Michael Villanueva: Giants best chance are against dead last White Sox

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San Francisco Giants starter Landen Roupp gets the call against the Chicago White Sox on Fri Jun 27, 2025 to open a three game series at Rate Field in the Southside of Chicago (AP News file photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Michael Villanueva:

#1 Kyle Stowers and Agustin Ramirez both hit home runs as the Miami Marlins came back from behind to beat the San Francisco Giants on Thursday afternoon at Oracle Park in San Francisco 12-5 to sweep the Giants.

#2 Xavier Edwards hit for a two run double adding to the run total for the Marlins it’s their fourth straight win and they have now won five of six games and have won six straight wins on the road. The Marlins played with confidence and are using the small ball to beat teams on the road.

#3 The Giants Rafael Devers has found his groove despite the loss with three hits including a home run, a double. The home run was Devers 17th of the year and the second homer in nine games since he joined the Giants since last week.

#4 The Giants are in a bad slide, they got swept by the Marlins and have lost eight of their last 11 games.

#5 Giants open up a three game series with the Chicago White Sox Friday. For the Giants RHP Landen Roupp (5-5 ERA 3.67) opposes the White Sox RHP Aaron Civale (1-4 ERA 5.03) first pitch 4:40pm PDT.

Join Michael Villanueva for the Giants podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A wild buzzkill ends with Marlins’ 12-5 win and sweep of Giants at Oracle Park

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San Francisco Giant Brett Wisely takes off after hitting a two run double in the bottom of the fourth inning against the Miami Marlins at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Thu Jun 26, 2025 (AP News photo)

Thursday, June 26, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Miami Marlins 12 (34-45)

San Francisco Giants 5 (44-37)

Win: Josh Simpson (1-0)

Loss: Hayden Birdsong (3-2)

Time: 2:48

Attendance: 33,804

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–Thursday’s game was both a wild one and an absolute buzzkill, as tempers flared, and the Giants came back from down 5-0 to tie the game, but at the end, the Marlins smoked the Giants 12-5 to complete the three-game sweep at Oracle Park.

The Giants’ offense appeared to finally be back on track after their epic 9-5 win over the Red Sox on Sunday. However, the offense went stagnant again in the first two games of this three-game series against the Marlins. The Giants dropped both games against a young team that they should have beaten, and Friday, they faced the potential embarrassment of being swept by that team.

Hayden Birdsong got off to a great start after being added to the Giants’ rotation last month, but he was hit around by the Red Sox in his last start last Friday. Thursday, Birdsong would take the ball and hope to help the Giants avoid an embarrassing sweep. 

Some housecleaning notes. Three Giants were hit Wednesday night, and the last one hit Casey Schmitt on his left hand. Schmitt was in obvious pain and unable to play Thursday. The Giants were understandably sore about it. Birdsong retired the first two men he faced, but decided to hit Otto Lopez.

It was obvious what the intent was. Home Plate Umpire and Crew Chief Alfonso Marquez gathered his crew together, as has been the procedure for issuing warnings since 2020, and Marquez put out warnings. Predictably, Marlins Manager Clayton McCullogh came out to argue, and was promptly tossed.

The Giants wanted to send a message, but it would completely backfire. Agustin Ramirez lined a double down the right field line to put runners at second and third, and Kyle Stowers hit an absolute bomb more than half-way up the bleachers in right-center field.

I don’t know if I have ever seen a home run hit that deep to that part of this ballpark. Once thing was for sure though: the wind was blowing out, and the ball was certainly jumping today. Stowers’ blast would not be the last bomb hit Thursday.

Janson Junk took the ball for the Marlins, and with a name like that, you’d expect him to be a finesse guy who throws literal junk. Unfortunately, they’re really clamping down on that these days, and Junk is actually a fire-baller, whose fastball generally tops out at 96 miles per hour. Buzzkill!!! 

That was just the first buzzkill of the day. The Giants went down scoreless against Junk in the first two innings. Agustin Ramirez then hit a mammoth blast to the back of the bleachers in left in the top of the third to give the Marlins a 5-0 lead.

If you think about it, it seems like whenever the Giants trail 5-0 at home, they tend to come back. Especially if they’re on a losing streak, or on the verge of getting swept. 

The Giants came back from down 5-0 to beat the Reds on April 9 to avert a sweep. They then came back from down 5-0 to beat the Padres on the fourth of this very month when they were on the verge of being just four games over .500. 

With the Giants in danger of being swept by the Marlins and trailing 5-0 going to the bottom of the third, did the Giants have another comeback in them?

Well, Andrew Knizner led off the bottom of the third with a little fist job to right. Mike Yastrzemski struck out looking, but Rafael Devers put the Giants on the board with a home run to right-center, his second as a Giant, and it was 5-2.

Birdsong threw his first and only one two three inning of the day in the top of the fourth, and the Giants were ready to get to work in the bottom of the fourth. Jung Hoo Lee led off the inning with a triple, and Willy Adames got him in with a base-hit to make it 5-3. 

Christian Koss doubled to right to put runners at second and third. Up came Brett Wisely, who hit a double off the wall in right, and just like that, the game was tied.

The Giants were playing good fundamental baseball, but they had to be buzzkills. Koss was standing at second with nobody out, but the Giants were unable to get him in and take the lead.

Birdsong walked Jesus Sanchez and Otto Lopez to start the fifth, and he was done. Spencer Bivens came in and struck out the next two, and it looked like he would get out of the inning with the momentum still on the Giants’ side.

Unfortunately, Eric Wagaman doubled into the gap in left-center, and both runners scored to put the Marlins back ahead. Connor Norby followed that up with a base-hit to left to knock in Wagaman, and the Marlins bounced right back with a three-spot to take an 8-5 lead.

Though there was an entertaining end to the top of the fifth. Dane Meyers struck out swinging, and then he snapped his bat in half over his leg and slammed the handle of his bat and his helmet to the ground. To say the least, the crowd of 33,804 here at Oracle Park did not like it, and they let Mr. Meyers know it. Me? I found it entertaining.

The Giants’ offense of course went stagnant the rest of the way. The only drama was when Wilmer Flores got into it with Marlins’ pitcher Cade Gibson after he struck Wilmer out to end the bottom of the seventh. The benches cleared, and nobody was tossed, but Gibson must have done or said something that set Wilmer off.

A small little skirmish like that can fire up a team. Unfortunately, that team was the Marlins, who tagged Sean Hjelle for four runs in the top of the eighth to turn this game into a laugher. 

The Marlins went on to win 12-5, and the Giants suffered the greatest buzzkill of the day: being swept at home by the Marlins. I am not knocking on the Marlins, but this was a series the Giants had to take at least two out of three in, and getting swept by a team like the Marlins is never good.

Josh Simpson finished off the bottom of the fourth for the Marlins. Simpson only faced two guys, but since the Marlins scored three runs in the top of the fifth to take a lead that they would hold the rest of the game, the kid got his first big league win. Hayden Birdsong took the loss.

The Giants fall to 44-37, and they are now six and a half games back of the Dodgers in the National League West. Believe it or not, today was game number 81 for the Giants, which means they are exactly half-way through their regular season schedule.

However, the first half doesn’t officially end until the All-Star Break. That means the Giants have 97 games in the first half, and will have just 65 games in the second half. That’s how this works, folks!

I really jinxed it when I said on Sunday that the Giants playing the Marlins and White Sox was a treat. Now, the Giants really need to take at least two out of three when they go to the South Side of Chicago to take on the White Sox this weekend.

Friday’s game at Rate Field will also be the opener of a 10-game, three-city road trip. It will be three in Chicago, followed by four in Arizona against the Diamondbacks, and three against the A’s in Sacramento.

Another problem the Giants have is that their bullpen was taxed in this series against the Marlins, and today was just day three of 16-straight days of games. In fact, the Giants only have one day off between now and the All-Star Break. Dave Flemming hinted on Thursday’s radio broadcast on KNBR that the Giants may have to make some roster moves as a result.

Landen Roupp (5-5, 3.67 ERA) will take the ball in the series opener at Rate Field Friday night. Aaron Civale (1-4, 5.03 ERA) will take the ball for the South Siders.

First pitch will be at 6:40 p.m. in Chicago, 4:40 p.m in San Francisco.

Giants News and Notes:

  • There is no official word, but rumor has it that the x-rays on Casey Schmitt’s left hand were negative. A little piece of good news for the Giants on this rough afternoon, as Schmitt has been one of their hottest hitters as of late.

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman: Marlins rally for four runs in 10th to defeat Giants 8-5; Miami can sweep in Thursday matinee at Oracle Park

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San Francisco Giants starter Logan Webb rubs up the baseball in the top of the fifth inning against the Miami Marlins at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Wed Jun 25, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman:

#1 Stephen, tough finish for the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night bowing to the Miami Marlins in extra innings 8-5. It was San Francisco’s fourth loss in extra innings this season.

#2 The Giants have been involved in a number of one run games this season. In this one the 49 runs in the ninth inning or later is tied for fifth most in MLB.

#3 The Giants are getting assists from the outfield the were able to cut down the Miami run game it was San Francisco’s 17th assist from the outfield which ranks them third in the Majors. It’s the first time since May 11, 2024 against Cincinnati that the Giants had three outfield assists.

#4 The flood gates were opened up when closer Camilo Doval came in for relief in the top of the tenth inning allowing four runs and the Marlins surpassed the Giants 4-4 score for a 8-5 three run win. Doval took the loss and the blown save and is now 3-2, pitching 3.2 innings, allowing two hits, four runs, two walks, and no strikeouts.

#5 The Giants who have lost the first two games of the series will try to get at least a win before the Marlins leave town. The Marlins on Thursday afternoon will start RHP Janson Junk (2-0 ERA 2.60) he’ll be opposed by the Giants RHP Hayden Birdsong (3-1 ERA 3.25) first pitch 12:45pm PDT.

Stephen Ruderman is filling in for Morris Phillips for the Giants podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Marlins score four in 10th after spirited Giants’ comeback for 8-5 win

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San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin (left in black jacket) relieves closer Camilo Doval (right) in the top of the tenth against the Miami Marlins at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Wed Jun 25, 2025 (photo by Jay Choi-SF Bay News)

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Miami Marlins 8 (33-45)

San Francisco Giants 5 (44-36)

Win: Calvin Faucher (3-2)

Loss: Camilo Doval (3-2)

Time: 2:57

Attendance: 31,712

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–Despite a spirited comeback by the Giants in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game, the Marlins scored four runs off Camilo Doval in the top of the tenth to win it by a final of 8-5 on Wednesday night at Oracle Park.

The Giants were riding high coming off a big 9-5 win on Sunday when their offense finally woke up and played good fundamental baseball. They would then get a treat on the schedule, as they would host the Miami Marlins for three. However, after a day off on Monday, the Giants’ offense went cold again last night, and the Marlins grinded their way to a 4-2 win in the series opener.

That meant that Logan Webb once again had to be the stopper, and he and the Giants would get off to a good start Wednesday night. Webb got his night started with a one, two, three, top of the first inning. Mike Yastrzemski then led off the bottom of the first against Marlins’ starter Edward Cabrera, and tucked a home run just fair down the right field line.

Webb worked his way out of a jam in the top of the second, and then settled back down for a one, two, three, top of the third. However, Webb would find himself in trouble again in the top of the fourth.

Agustin Ramirez led off the top of the fourth with a base-hit to center-field. With one out, Kyle Stowers worked out a great at-bat and lined a double to right to put runners at second and third. Up came Otto Lopez, who doubled in both runs to give the Marlins a 2-1 lead.

Cabrera pitched through the second, third and fourth, but the Giants would mount a rally in the bottom of the fifth. Jung Hoo Lee walked to lead off the inning, and Willy Adames singled him over to second. Bob Melvin put on the bunt for Patrick Bailey, who sacrificed the runners over to second and third. Christian Koss came up, and he tied the game with a sacrifice fly to center.

Webb survived a two-out jam in the top of the sixth, and that ended his night. Webb went six innings, and gave up two runs and six hits. He walked three, and struck out six. However, as has been the case throughout Webb’s career, he’s a Matt Cain clone with a sinker, so that meant that he got very little run support.

Cabrera went five and a third innings for the Marlins. Like Webb, Cabrera walked three, and struck out six.

Randy Rodriguez threw a scoreless top of the seventh, and then Melvin turned to his reliable setup man, Tyler Rogers, in the top of the eighth. Unfortunately, this would be a rare off-night for Rogers.

Ramirez led off the top of the eighth with a base-hit, and Liam Hicks doubled him over to third. Rogers gained a bit of momentum when he struck Stowers out on three pitches and got Lopez to pop out.

Rogers was an out away from getting out of it unscathed with the game still tied. Up came Heriberto Hernandez, and he lined a base-hit to left-center field, which scored a pair to put the Marlins back ahead 4-2.

After going down one, two, three, in the bottom of the eighth, the Giants were up against Marlins’ closer Calvin Faucher in the bottom of the ninth. Dominic Smith led off the inning for the Giants, and he immediately fell behind 0-2. However, after taking a curveball in the dirt, he was hit on the foot by another curve.

Casey Schmitt was also hit, but he took a fastball to his left hand. Schmitt slammed his bat to the ground with his right hand, and was in obvious pain. Schmitt was the third Giant hit by a pitch tonight, but he truly took one for the team.

The Giants had runners at first and second with nobody out, and despite the pain Schmitt felt in his left hand, the Giants had the momentum. Lee then walked, and the bases were loaded for Adames.

Adames hit a high drive deep to left field that he thought was going to go out for a walk-off grand slam. Adames was watching his shot and preparing to celebrate, but he ended up flying out to the wall. Not the end of the world, though. Smith scored to make it 4-3, and the back runners moved up to second and third.

Up came Patrick Bailey, and he lined a base-hit off the end of the bat to left. Schmitt scored to tie the game, but despite the fact that the Marlins were playing their outfield in, Giants Third Base Coach Matt Williams sent Lee home. The throw from left-fielder Kyle Stowers was off-line, but catcher Nick Fortes had plenty of time to regroup and apply the tag to get Lee at the plate.

It was the second night in a row that Matt Williams made a questionable send, but this one made absolutely no sense. The game was tied, and Bailey was able to get into scoring position at second. However, Koss hit a bullet right into the glove of third-baseman Connor Norby, and we were headed for some Manfredball (ghost runners).

Camilo Doval came in for the tenth, and Fortes was the Manfred runner at second. Liam Hicks led off the inning and fell behind 0-2, but he turned the 0-2 count into a walk, and from there, things fell apart for the Giants.

Stowers flew out, which moved Fortes over to third, and Lopez lined a base-hit to center, which gave the Marlins a 5-4 lead. Miami wasn’t done. Hernandez doubled to left-center to knock in a pair, and advanced to third when the Giants tried to cut down Lopez at the plate. Norby got Hernandez in with a sacrifice fly, just like that, the Marlins had put up a big fat four-spot.

Tyler Phillips came in for the bottom of the 10th. Koss was the Giants’ ghost runner, and Heliot Ramos got him in on a base-hit to right with two outs. However, that would be it, and the Marlins won it 8-5.

Despite giving up two runs and blowing the save in the bottom of the ninth, Calvin Faucher got the win. Camilo Doval was tagged with the loss.

The Giants fall to 44-36, and they have now lost the first two games of a series to a team they should have beaten. Thursday afternoon, the Giants risk the embarrassment of being swept by a team that was swept by the Rockies just three weeks ago.

The Giants will turn to Hayden Birdsong (3-1, 3.25 ERA) as they look to avoid the sweep tomorrow afternoon. Janson Junk (2-0, 2.60 ERA) will go for Miami.

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

Giants News and Notes:

After getting hit, Casey Schmitt kept nursing his left hand while he was standing at third base in the top of the tenth, and while he was in the dugout in the bottom of the tenth.

Schmitt’s condition is not yet known, but I imagine the Giants will have his hand x-rayed.