Category: San Francisco Giants

Four run 7th does in Giants in 7-1 loss to D-Backs in Arizona; SF drops further back in NL Wild Card by 3.5 games

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Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023

Chase Field

Phoenix, Arizona

San Francisco Giants 1 (76-76)

Arizona Diamondbacks 7 (81-72)

Win: Merrill Kelly (12-7)

Loss: Logan Webb (10-13)

Time: 2:30

Attendance: 16,848

By Stephen Ruderman

Photo courtesy of Rob Schumacher of the Arizona Republic

PHEONIX–The Diamondbacks completed a short two-game sweep of the Giants, further dashing the Giants’ already-dwindling playoff hopes. Arizona took game two on Wednesday 7-1 at Chase Field.

After dropping Tuesday night’s series opener, the Giants needed a win to stay afloat in the wild card race. They came into Wednesday’s game three games back of the Chicago Cubs for the third wild card, and three and a half games back of the Diamondbacks for the second wild card.

Giants Manager Gabe Kapler turned to his ace, Logan Webb, and Webb would be opposed by Merrill Kelly. LaMonte Wade stepped in, and led off the game with a home run in the first inning and just like the first inning Tuesday night, the Giants scored and struck first. 

However, the Diamondbacks struck back in the first off Webb, Corbin Carroll led off the bottom of the first inning with a base-hit; stole second; and got to third on a ground ball. With two outs, Christian Walker stepped in and hit a chopper to third that Giants’ third-baseman J.D. Davis charged, but couldn’t get Walker in time, which tied the game at 1-1.

Kelly set the Giants down 1-2-3 in the top of the second, and Webb pitched a quick and quiet bottom of the second. The Giants wasted an opportunity in the top of the third, and then the Diamondbacks pounced in the bottom of the third.

Geraldo Perdomo grounded out to start the inning, but Corbin Carroll then singled; stole second; and advanced to third when Patrick Bailey’s throw sailed into center field. Katel Marte walked, and Tommy Pham just beat out the back end of a 6-4 fielder’s choice, which allowed Carroll to score and the Diamondbacks to take the lead. Christian Walker singled, and Alek Thomas doubled in Pham to give the Diamondbacks a 3-1 lead.

From there, Merrill Kelly was on cruise control, as he pitched 1-2-3 innings in the fourth, fifth and sixth, and set down 11-straight batters he faced. As for Webb, he escaped trouble in the bottom of the fourth, and pitched quick and scoreless fifth and sixth innings. Webb ended up giving up just three runs over six innings, but like much of the season, the run support was not there.

“We’re all disappointed that we haven’t been able to support Webb with run support,” said Kapler. “It doesn’t take away from the excellent season that he’s had. [With] the innings that he’s been able to pile up, [as well as the] games he’s been able to keep in, he’s just been one of the best pitchers in baseball, and I don’t think that’s disputable.”

Michael Conforto laced a double down the right-field line to start the top of the seventh and give the Giants a chance. However, Luis Matos flew out to center, and Patrick Bailey moved Conforto to third on a ground out to second.

Wilmer Flores pinch-hit, and drew a walk, and that did it for Kelly, as Diamondbacks Manager Torey Lovullo brought in Ryan Thompson to face Thairo Estrada. Estrada proceeded to strike out, as he lunged at a pitch in the dirt to end the inning, and it was another opportunity wasted for the Giants.

Ryan Walker came in for Webb in the bottom of the seventh, and the Diamondbacks made the Giants pay. Carroll and Marte led off the inning with back-to-back home runs, as for Carroll, it was his fourth hit of the day, and that would not be all for Arizona. 

Pham struck out swinging, but Christian Walker doubled to get another rally going. Alek Thomas struck out looking, and after Lourdes Guriel walked, Sean Hjelle, who was brought up this morning from Triple-A Sacramento, was brought in to replace Walker. Gabriel Moreno and Emmanuel Rivera each knocked in a run with back-to-back singles. That capped off a four-run inning for Arizona, as they opened their lead to 7-1.

Mike Yastrzemski drew his third walk of the game in the top of the eighth, but the Giants were unable to do anything with it. Hjelle pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the eighth, and then Kyle Nelson came in to set the Giants down 1-2-3 in the top of the ninth.

The Giants fall back to .500 at 76-76, as they have lost five of their last six to start this road trip. They have also gone 5-25 in their last 30 road games dating back to July 19. The Giants’ also fall to four and a half games behind the Diamondbacks, who won the season series, and thus hold any potential tiebreaker. The Giants are three and a half games back of the third wild card, the Cubs and the Marlins lost their games Wednesday night.

“The math is not on our side,” said Kapler. “Every game [left] is one that we have to win.”

The Giants’ season is now on life support, as they are three and four games back of the final wild card spot with 10 games to go. Things won’t get any easier, as they will be heading to Los Angeles for a four-game series, which will also be the final road series of the year for the Giants.

Notes:

  • The Giants have placed Alex Cobb on the 10-Day Injured List, and he will be out for the remainder of the season. Cobb has been pitching with an injured right hip over his last several starts. However, Cobb Left Tuesday Night’s game in Phoenix against the Arizona Diamondbacks after throwing two balls to start the bottom of the third inning. It was his first first start in eight days. Cobb made the All-Star Game for the first time in his career, but he has struggled since August, going 1-4 with a 6.18 ERA in his last eight starts. Ryan Walker was also placed on the Injured List, and Kyle Harrison and Sean Hjelle were called up to take their places.
  • Brandon Crawford left the game in the third inning due to right hamstring tightness. Manager Gabe Kapler said it could be an IL situation.
  • Giants Director of Pitching Brian Bannister, who has been with the team since 2020, is expected to join the Chicago White Sox Front Office next season.

Carroll, Marte puts on the double steal as Diamondbacks defeat Giants 8-4; SF drops 3 games back of Wild Card

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The Arizona Diamondbacks Corbin Carroll (right) who stole third comes home on a throwing error slides under San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey’s glove (left) to score in the bottom of the second inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on Tue Sep 19, 2023 (AP News photo)

Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023

Chase Field

Phoenix, Arizona

San Francisco Giants X (76-75)

Arizona Diamondbacks X (80-72)

Win: Zac Gallen (16-8)

Loss: Alex Cobb (7-7)

Time: 2:39

Attendance: 26,093

By Stephen Ruderman

PHOENIX–The Diamondbacks dealt the Giants another tough loss to start a crucial two-game set for the two teams at Chase Field in Phoenix, as Arizona won it by a final of 8-4 Tuesday night.

This was the start of the biggest series of the year for the Giants, who came into the game two games back of the Cubs for the third wild card, and two and a half games back of the Diamondbacks for the second wild card. After nearly blowing a 9-0 lead and barely holding on to salvage a game in the four-game series in Denver against the Rockies on Sunday, the Giants were hoping to create some momentum from Sunday’s win.

Alex Cobb, who was pitching for the first time in eight days, made the start for the Giants, as Manager Gabe Kapler lined Cobb and Logan Webb, his two best starters, to start the games in Arizona. Cobb has had a solid season, which included a trip to the All-Star Game in Seattle, and he continued his success when he came within an out of no-hitting the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 29 in San Francisco.

“[I] love it,” said Kapler prior to the game. “Both [Cobb and Webb] are ultra competitive. [They] have been our two most trusted starters now for quite some time, and all [of] that is based on their performance.”

However, Cobb has been dealing with a hip injury, and he has struggled on the road this season. He came into tonight with a road ERA of 5.26, and he had particularly struggled in his previous five road starts coming into tonight, in which he had gone 0-3 with a 7.71 ERA. That was in contrast with Diamondbacks’ starter, Zac Gallen, who came into tonight 11-2 at home with a 2.18 ERA

It was a matchup of All-Stars in Cobb and Gallen, as a decent-sized crowd filled up Chase Field for this Tuesday Night Pennant Race game. Diamondbacks fans showed up, but there was a contingent of Giants fans as well, who showed up, and made noise with chants of “Let’s Go Giants,” just as LaMonte Wade was stepping in to start the game.

The Giants got things going off Gallen early. Wade led off, and hit a line drive to right, where Diamondbacks’ right-fielder, Corbin Carrol, had to made a decision whether to try and catch it or let it fall, but as he decided to field it on a hop, it went by him to the wall, and that allowed Wade to go slide into third with a triple just ahead of the relay throw from second-baseman, Katel Marte.

Mike Yastrzemski then hit a sacrifice fly to left to knock in Wade, as the Giants struck first. Wilmer Flores popped out to the catcher, Gabriel Moreno in foul territory, and then Joc Pederson hit a home run to straight away center that just hit the top of the yellow line above the 407 footmarker.

The Diamondbacks immediately responded off Cobb in the bottom of the first. Corbin Carroll singled the other way to left, and Katel Marte singled Carroll over to third. The Diamondbacks had runners at the corners with nobody out for Tommy Pham, who chopped into a 4-6 fielder’s choice to put Arizona on the board. Cobb then got both Christian Walker and Alek Thomas to ground out to third, as Cobb escaped the inning without any further damage.

Gallen struck out the side in a 1-2-3 top of the second, and then things unraveled for Cobb with two outs in the bottom of the second. With Gabriel Moreno, who had been hit by a pitch, at first, Geraldo Perdomo hit a doink double along the left-field line to advance Moreno to third. That set things up for Corbin Carroll, who laced a double off the end of the bat down the left-field line to knock in both runners and give the Diamondbacks their first lead of the night.

It did not stop there. After Katel Marte walked, he and Carroll attempted a double steal, and the throw from Patrick Bailey to third was dropped by third-basemen Wilmer Flores, who then threw the ball away as he tried to nail Carroll at the plate. Not only did Carroll score, but Marte came in to score all the way from first as well, as a four-run second gave the Diamondbacks a 5-2 lead.

The Giants wasted a leadoff single by Thairo Estrada in the top of the third, and then Alex Cobb re-aggravated his hip after throwing two balls to Alek Thomas to start the bottom of the third, which caused him to have to leave the game. Cobb was succeeded by Alex Wood, who ended up pitching a 1-2-3 inning.

“[Cobb] gave us everything he had,” said Kapler in his postgame press conference. “He was unable to get through the outing today, and we had to get him out of there.

“I thought it was something I could pitch through,” said Cobb. “The pain is definitely something you can tolerate, but it starts affecting everything else.”

The Giants wasted a leadoff single by Wilmer Flores in the top of the fourth, and the Diamondbacks made them pay in the bottom of the fourth. With Wood back out on the mound, Jace Pederson led off the inning with a double, followed by Geraldo Perdomo, who reached on an infield hit.

Carroll was hit by a pitch, and that loaded the bases for Marte, who knocked in a pair on a ground ball base-hit to left-center, though he was thrown out at second trying to stretch it into a double.

Mitch Haniger led off the top of the fifth with a base-hit, but the Giants would not waste this one. Patrick Bailey struck out looking, but Brandon Crawford snuck a ground ball just to the left of second-baseman Katel Marte, and into right for a base-hit, which moved Haniger over to third.

Thairo Estrada walked to load the bases, and that brought up Wade, who hit a deep fly ball to right that was caught, but knocked in Haniger to cut the deficit to 7-3. Yastrzemski fell down 0-2, but he worked a walk to load the bases.

Wilmer Flores then walked to make it a 7-4 game. That brought up the potential go-ahead run in Joc Pederson, who was called out on strikes by Home Plate Umpire Adam Beck to end the inning, as he stuck around to argue, but was spared being thrown out of the game.

Alek Thomas tripled to left-center, just out of the reach of Yastrzemski, to start the bottom of the fifth, and he scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Moreno, as the Diamondbacks got one of their runs back to make it 8-4.

Gallen was relieved by Miguel Castro, who pitched a 1-2-3 top of the sixth. The Diamondbacks strung a pair of two-out hits off Wood in the bottom of the sixth, but they were unable to add to their lead. The Diamondbacks brought in the lefty, Andrew Sealfrank, for the seventh, and he pitched a scoreless inning, as did Wood, who pitched through a one-out hit and a wild pitch in the bottom of the seventh.

Kevin Ginkel then came in for Arizona in the eighth. Ginkel set down the first two men he faced, but after Joc Pederson drew a two-out walk, Michael Conforto came up and hit a towing fly ball to center field, but Alek Thomas made an incredible catch just in front of the wall to snatch any remaining hopes the Giants may have had tonight right out of thin air. Scott Alexander came in for San Francisco to replace wood in the bottom of the eighth, and pitched a scoreless inning.

Diamondbacks Manager Torey Lovullo brought in his closer, Paul Sewald, in for a non-save situation in the ninth, and Sewald pitched a 1-2-3 inning to close the Giants out.

The Giants fall to 76-75, and also fall to three games back of the Cubs for the third wild card with 11 games left to play.

“You look around the league, and see other teams took care of business,” said Cobb.

Logan Webb (10-12 ERA 3.31) will make the start in what is a must-win game Wednesday afternoon, as the Giants can not afford to keep falling, especially with a four-game series in Los Angeles against the Dodgers starting on Thursday. Arizona will start Merrill Kelly (11-7 ERA 3.45). First pitch 12:40pm PT.

NOTES:

Kapler said after the game that Cobb will continue to be evaluated before a decision is made regarding his next start.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Giants open two game set with D-Backs tonight at Chase

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San Francisco Giants’ Austin Slater singles in the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver on Sun Sep 17, 2023. The Giants open a two game series Tue Sep 19, 2023 at Chase Field in Phoenix. (AP News photo)

On the SF Giants podcast with Stephen:

#1 Stephen, Giants had a tough four game series with the Colorado Rockies in their last series losing three out of four, including getting swept in a day-night doubleheader on Saturday.

#2 The Giants avoided getting swept in Colorado when they edged out the Rockies on Sunday to conclude the series 11-10. The Giants needed every bit of those eight runs top of the sixth inning to stay in lock step with the Rockies who came back later to pull within a run of San Francisco.

#3 Stephen, how concerned do you have to be with the pitching, the Giants had a 9-0 lead but collapsed giving up five runs in the bottom of the sixth and and later scored four times in the ninth to fall a run short?

#4 Giants manager Gabe Kapler had to be relieved about the long ball he got from Brandon Crawford in the sixth inning, also key hits from Thairo Estrada and Joc Pederson each picked up an RBI in that sixth inning.

#5 Your at Chase Field for the battle of the Giants trying to stay alive and try and get back in the NL Wild Card the Giants are two games out of the Wild Card and play two with the Arizona Diamondbacks Tuesday and Wednesday night. Starters for Tuesday for San Francisco Alex Cobb (7-6 ERA 3.62) and for Arizona Zac Gallen (15-8 ERA 3.50) first pitch at 6:40pm PT.

Join Stephen Ruderman for either the MLB or San Francisco Giants podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants Head to Arizona For a Date With the Diamondbacks

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San Francisco Giants third base coach Mark Hallberg, left, and Brandon Crawford celebrate a home run in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver on Sun Sep 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Time is running out on the 2023 MLB season. With 12 games left in the season now is the time for the San Francisco Giants to step up and they have to do it Tuesday as they take on the Diamondbacks for a short two-game series.

Arizona is 2 1/2 games ahead of the Giants in the Wild Card race and San Francisco remains in the sixth spot two games back of the Wild Card. Losing the first three games of the series with the Colorado Rockies this past weekend did the Giants no favors.

They are now facing some very challenging series to finish up the season which includes two series with the Los Angeles Dodgers. It’s a close and crowded field this year in the NL with six teams five games apart in the Wild Card race.

The Giants cannot afford any more lapses; they have to finish the final lap on a winning note. San Francisco is not the only a Wild Card contender that have tough final series coming up. The Phillies, Marlins, Cubs, Reds and Diamondbacks all have upcoming series that will challenge them. It just comes down to who wants it more.

Tuesday the Giants (76-74) will take on the Diamondbacks (79-72) in Arizona. This series is a short one with only two games before heading to Los Angeles for a date with the Dodgers, a four game series. While the Giants cannot control what the aforementioned teams will do, they can control their own destiny and it all begins Tuesday night in Arizona.

After three straight losses to the Colorado Rockies in their last series, the Giants got back on track winning game four Sunday 11-10. San Francisco very nearly gave up another walk-off to the Rockies.

The Giants led 9-0 going into the bottom of the sixth inning. San Francisco allowed five runs in the sixth inning and another four runs in the ninth inning barely winning the game. Of course there are two ways to look at this game. It’s a good thing that they were able to hang onto the lead however letting the Rockies offense explode and very nearly take the game was not encouraging.

Tuesday, the Giants take the first step in game 1 of the Diamondback series. Probable starting pitcher for San Francisco will be Alex Cobb with a 7-6 win/loss record and a 3.62 ERA. The Giants offense will face Zac Gallen with an impressive 15-8 win/loss record and a 3.50 ERA.

Arizona has some heavy hitters in Christian Walker with 30 homers and 93 RBIs and Corbin Carroll with a .279 batting average. The Giants also have an impressive roster with standouts Wilmer Flores, Thairo Flores and J.D. Davis. The final leg of this seemingly endless journey begins Tuesday night at Chase Field.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Giants win Sunday now 2 games back in NL Wild Card race; SF opens two game set in Arizona Tuesday

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Thairo Estrada crossed the plate after slugging a sixth inning home run against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver on Sun Sep 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Giants podcast with Marko:

#1 The San Francisco Giants who dropped the first three games of this series to the Colorado Rockies including a Saturday day-night doubleheader, came away with a one run 11-10 win over the Rockies at Coors Field on Sunday.

#2 The Giants had a nine run lead but saw the Rockies try and play catch up as Colorado scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth and four runs in the bottom of the ninth and the Giants hung on for a one run win.

#3 The Giants had a hitting clinic going in the top of the sixth scoring eight runs and ten hits. Joc Pederson and Thairo Estrada hit home runs in the sixth to contribute to the Giants nine run lead.

#4 The Giants had such high hopes for pitcher Kyle Harrison who came on the scene with an outstanding first game against the Philadelphia Phillies striking out five hitters in his next game Harrison struck out 11 batters. Harrison later got touched up for hits and runs in his next games and was demoted to triple A Sacramento. Harrison had a 5.18 ERA and must stay 15 days in the minors before he can called up again meaning he won’t be back in San Francisco for the rest of the season.

#5 The Giants are off Monday and have a two game series Tuesday and Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Arizona. Pitchers for San Francisco TBA and Arizona Zac Gallen (11-8 ERA 3.50) first pitch at 6:40pm PT

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

Giants survive wild 11-10 game over Rockies

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Photo credit: @SFGiants

By: Mary Anne

The San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies concluded their four-game series on Sunday. The Giants survived a wild 11-10 game over the Rockies at Coors Field. San Francisco improved to 76-74, while Colorado fell to 56-93.

The Giants’ last dance in Denver began with a starting lineup with Mike Yastrzemski, Thairo Estrada, Joc Pederson, Michael Conforto, J.D. Davis, LaMonte Wade Jr., Mitch Haniger, Patrick Bailey, Brandon Crawford, and Sean Manaea. Manaea pitched 5 1/3 innings and gave up eight hits, two earned runs, three strikeouts, and one home run.

After four scoreless innings, San Francisco got on the board first. Mitch Haniger doubled on a line drive to Brenton Doyle. J.D. Davis scored for a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning.

The Giants took a commanding lead in the top of the sixth inning. Joc Pederson doubled on a sharp line drive to Hunter Goodman. Thairo Estrada scored for a 2-0 lead. J.D. Davis singled on a ground ball to Nolan Jones. Pederson scored to make it a 3-0 game as Michael Conforto went to second base. Mitch Haniger doubled on a sharp fly ball to Brenton Doyle. Conforto and Davis scored to make it 5-0 as LaMonte Wade Jr. went to third base. Brandon Crawford homered on a fly ball to right center field. Wade Jr. and Mitch Haniger scored to expand the Giants’ lead to 8-0. Estrada capped the top of the sixth inning’s scoring with a single on a line drive to Doyle. Mike Yastrzemski scored to extend the Giants’ lead to 9-0.

The Rockies finally got on the board in the bottom of the sixth inning. Hunter Goodman homered on a line drive to left center field. Nolan Jones scored to reduce the Giants’ lead to 9-2. Brenton Doyle homered on a fly ball to left field. Brendan Rodgers and Alen Trejo scored to cut the Giants’ lead to 9-5.

The Giants added to their lead in the top of the seventh inning. Patrick Bailey doubled on a sharp line drive to Hunter Goodman. Austin Slater and J.D. Davis scored to put the Giants up 11-5.

The Rockies made it a five-run game in the bottom of the seventh inning. Brendan Rodgers singled on a line drive to Mitch Haniger. Ezequiel Tovar scored to lower the Giants’ lead to 11-6 as Hunter Goodman went to second base.

The Rockies picked up the pace in the bottom of the ninth inning but fell just short. Hunter Goodman was out on a sacrifice fly to Austin Slater. Elehuris Montero scored to slash the Giants’ lead to 11-7 with one out. Kris Bryant reached on a fielding error by Camilo Doval. Nolan Jones scored to slice the Giants’ lead to 11-8 as Brendan Rodgers went to third base. Elias Diaz sealed the scoring with a single on a ground ball to Mike Yastrzemski. Rodgers and Sean Bouchard scored to put down the Giants’ lead to 11-10.

Notes
Thairo Estrada achieved a new personal best — a career-high 22 stolen bases.

The Giants wished a special 86th birthday to former Giant Orlando Cepeda. Cepeda, also known as the Baby Bull and Peruchin, played in San Francisco from 1958 to 1966.

Up Next
The Giants will continue their road trip against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday at 6:40 p.m. Pacific. The starters haven’t been confirmed yet.

Giants swept by Rockies 5-2 in night cap; SF drops 3 straight to Colorado; Series Finale Sunday at Coors; Giants 2.5 games back of NL Wild Card

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Second game of the doubleheader San Francisco Giants pitcher Tyler Rogers (left) and Giants first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr (right) wait for a Colorado Rockie Ezequiel Tovar ball to go foul in the bottom of the seventh inning at Coors Field in Denver on Sat Sep 16, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants apparently did not get the errors out of their system and had a couple more in the second game of the day at Coors Field. A very sloppy game from San Francisco and some very good play from Colorado gave the Rockies their third win of the series 5-2 sweeping Saturday’s day-night doubleheader.

The Colorado Rockies (55-92) took care of the San Francisco Giants (75-73) in the first game of the doubleheader of their four game series Saturday morning 9-5. This was the one series left in the regular season that many thought San Francisco could succeed in and get closer to a Wild Card.

It is by no means turned out to be that way. The Giants looked awful in Game Two; the pitching was horrendous and offense not much better. The question going into Game Three of this series was could San Francisco get a split out of this series?

Night cap recap: As this game got started, it was not the start that the Giants had envisioned. Colorado got things rolling with a couple of runs in the first inning. Kris Bryant got a double and Elehuris Montero singled and the Rockies had an early 2-0 lead.

San Francisco kept pace scoring in the second inning trailing by a single run 2-1. Mike Yastrzemski singled Patrick Bailey home and the Giants still had Colorado in their sites.

The Rockies would answer and add a couple of runs in the third inning to extend their lead to 4-1. Ezequiel Tovar singled and Charlie Blackburn scored for the 3-1 lead.

Another San Francisco mistake on the mound gave Colorado another run. Tovar scored on a Jakob Junis wild pitch and the Giants were getting deeper and deeper in trouble as this game went on trailing 4-1. It was still very early in the game but the Giants would need some offense asap.

The fourth and fifth innings were quiet for both teams but in the top of the sixth inning, San Francisco got one run showing some signs of life. Michael Conforto hit a sacrifice fly and Thairo Estrada scored. The score was still a bit lop-sided as this game went into the latter innings with San Francisco still trailing 4-2.

The Rockies would top off this game in the seventh inning with a Bryant single and Blackman scored for the final of 5-2. The Rockies had won three straight games off San Francisco after being swept in their last series with the Giants at Oracle Park.

In Game Two, there were more errors and more runners left stranded. In the ninth inning the Giants had the bases loaded but came up empty. Both teams had ten hits in the game which highlights all the runners that San Francisco left hanging.

They had a couple of errors as well in the game which Colorado took advantage of. The Rockies have really played well in this series giving San Francisco all sorts of problems.

Sunday the Giants will try to salvage this series in Game Four. They cannot afford to be swept. Sean Manaea will take the mound for the Giants with a (5-6, 4.80 ERA). The Rockies will start Chris Flexen with a (1-7, 7.22 ERA). First pitch for this game will be 12:10 PM PT.

Giants Drop Front Game Of Doubleheader (Game 2 Of Series) To Rockies 9-5

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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Keaton Winn works against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning at Coors Field in Denver on Sat Sep 16, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

A disastrous fifth inning set the stage for the San Francisco Giants (75-73) second loss in this series. All that they can hope for right now is a split losing the front game of Saturday’s doubleheader to the Colorado Rockies (55-92) and game two of the series 9-5.

Friday night the Giants lost a heartbreaker to the Rockies 3-2. The Giants led going into the bottom of the ninth. A single and an error later, the Rockies were celebrating a walk-off win 3-2.

Saturday San Francisco was back on the field playing a double-header scheduled due to a rain-out Thursday night. Losing game one of this series hurt San Francisco’s playoff hopes. Every game going forward is critically important if the Giants want any shot at a playoff berth.

They are not doing much to advance their cause that’s for sure. They are making this pretty hard on themselves. Friday’s loss was a bit of a surprise because the Rockies reside in the basement of the NL West so this is a team that the Giants need to beat, especially with a couple of series coming up with the Dodgers, one with the Diamondbacks and another with the Padres.

The Giants got off to a quick start taking a 2-0 lead in the second inning and adding another run in the third inning to extend their lead to 3-0. In the second inning Blake Sabol doubled and both LaMonte Wade Jr. and Luis Matos scored.

In the third inning Thairo Estrada scored on passed ball by Austin Wynns. It was all looking good for San Francisco until the bottom of the third inning. This is when it all went sideways for the Giants.

A Colorado triple from Ezequiel Tovar with the bases loaded tied up the game 3-3 and this game quickly escalated in favor of the Rockies.

The fifth inning was a disaster for San Francisco. Giant’s starting pitcher Keaton Winn fell apart and after 76 pitches he was done. He had allowed three hits and three runs. Ryan Walker who relieved him in the fourth did not fare much better allowing two hits and three runs walking three batters. San Francisco walked in two runs in the fifth inning and when the dust had settled Colorado had taken a 6-3 lead. The Rockies would add another run in the sixth inning to lead 7-3.

Going into the seventh inning, the Giants had three innings left to make up a lot of ground or drop even further back in the wild card race. This was a horrible let-down after last night’s loss.

Colorado continued their beat-down in the bottom of the seventh inning scoring two more runs. The Rockies 9-3 lead set up a more than likely Colorado win going into the eighth inning and assuring them a split series or better.

San Francisco crept a little closer in the eighth inning when LaMonte Wade Jr. homered, a solo, to right center but still trailing 9-4 going into the ninth inning. The Rockies were three outs away from taking a 2-0 lead in the series.

San Francisco made a little noise in the ninth inning. Estrade singled Brandon Crawford home. With two outs, Mitch Haniger struck out swinging and that was the ball game 9-5.

This game was lost on the mound and the quiet bats didn’t help at all. They had seven hits in the game and left a lot of runners stranded The Giants are in a self-destruction mode right now and have to turn it around in the second game of the double dip. The two teams will take a breather and then play the second game of this double-header with first pitch at 5:10 PM.

Starting pitchers in the night cap for the Giants Scott Alexander (7-2 ERA 4.53) for the Rockies Kyle Freeland (6-14 ERA 6-14) at Coors Field.

Webb throws gem, but Giants fall 3-2 to Rockies

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Photo credit: si.com

By: Mary Anne

The San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies played the second game of the four-game series on Friday. The Giants dropped a 3-2 decision to the Rockies at Coors Field. San Francisco fell to 75-72, while Colorado improved to 54-92. Camilo Doval (6-5, 2.98 ERA) took the loss for the Giants.

The Giants’ lineup featured Mike Yastrzemski, Thairo Estrada, J.D. Davis, Michael Conforto, LaMonte Wade Jr., Mitch Haniger, Patrick Bailey, Brandon Crawford, Luis Matos, and Logan Webb. Webb pitched for eight innings and gave up four hits, one earned run, and six strikeouts.

After a scoreless first inning, San Francisco got on the board in the top of the second inning. Patrick Bailey grounded into a force out to Chase Anderson and Ezequiel Tovar. Michael Conforto scored for a 1-0 Giants lead. LaMonte Wade Jr. was out at second base, while Bailey went to first base with two outs.

The Rockies finally got on the board in the bottom of the eighth inning. Ezequiel Tovar singled on a line drive to Austin Slater. Ryan McMahon scored to tie the ballgame 1-1. Tovar went to second base.

The Giants regained the lead in the top of the ninth inning. Wilmer Flores walked. J.D. Davis scored for a 2-1 lead. LaMonte Wade Jr. went to third base, while Patrick Bailey went to second base.

The Giants’ lead was short-lived as the Rockies took the lead in the bottom of the ninth inning. Elehuris Montero singled on a ground ball to Mike Yastrzemski. Charlie Blackmon and Nolan Jones scored for a 3-2 lead. Montero went to second base. Yastrzemski committed a throwing error. Moreover, San Francisco challenged the play for a home-plate collision, and the call on the field was upheld.

Notes
The Giants optioned Kyle Harrison and Casey Schmitt to Triple-A Sacramento. Ross Stripling returned to San Francisco from rehab and was reinstated from the 15-day injured list.

The Giants recognized and celebrated the cultures, achievements, and celebrations of their Hispanic players, employees, and community members for Hispanic Heritage Month.

The Giants celebrated Roberto Clemente, a Latin American hero and one of the greatest baseball players of all time, on Roberto Clemente Day.

Up Next
The Giants and Rockies will meet again on Saturday at 5:10 p.m. Pacific. Keaton Winn (1-2, 3.55 ERA) will start for the Giants, but the Rockies haven’t named a starting pitcher yet.

Weather Dampens Start of Giants vs Rockies Series In Colorado

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Grounds crew members pick up covers from the field after the postponement of a baseball game between the Colorado Rockies and the San Francisco Giants on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, in Denver. The game has been rescheduled as part of a doubleheader Saturday. (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (75-71) and the Colorado Rockies (53-92) four-game series was postponed Thursday evening due to inclement weather. The opening game of the series was postponed about three hours before the 5:40 scheduled first pitch.

A closer look at the weather channel showed 55 degrees that felt more like 52 degrees Thursday evening with rain pouring continuously since late afternoon. Just more crazy weather that seems to be world-wide.

A scheduled double-header will be played on Saturday September 16 with the first pitch at 11:20 AM. The second game of the double-header will take place Saturday evening at 5:10 PM.

As San Francisco heads into this series, they face a critical situation. Every game going forward is vitally important since the Giants are in the thick of an incredibly tight National League Wild Card race.

San Francisco has won 16 of their last 17 games against Colorado. A sweep would indeed be a beautiful thing. The Diamondbacks (76-72) , the Reds (76-72), the Cubs (78-69), the Marlins (75-72) and the Phillies (79-67) are all contenders in this closely contested race.

The Giants with a 75-71 record are close to the bottom of the heap in a packed field of rivals. Following this four game series with Colorado, San Francisco will play a two-game series with the Diamondbacks.

This will also be a huge series. Looking ahead, the Los Angeles Dodgers await the Giants in a four-game series starting on September 21. A series win or even a sweep for the Giants over the last-place Rockies is critical to San Francisco’s playoff hopes.

Friday night’s game which will hopefully be played is scheduled for 5:40 PM PT. The weather maps show rain stopping Friday morning in the early hours. There is a 40% chance of rain Friday but it does show clear at first pitch and hopefully it will hold for the duration of the ball game.

Logan Webb who was supposed to take the mound Thursday will start for the Giants on Friday night. He has a 10-12 win/loss record and a 3.40 ERA. There is good news for San Francisco. Michael Conforto will be back in the lineup after suffering a left hamstring strain giving the Giants outfield a boost.

Chase Anderson will start for the Rockies looking for his first win. He has a 0-5 win/loss record and a 6.49 ERA. The 35-year-old right-hander has really struggled this season.

The Giants Wilmer Flores has the hot bat right now for San Francisco. He has been on fire with a .288 batting average and 22 homers. Thairo Estrada and J.D. Davis have also been playing well. They are coming off an extra inning win over the Cleveland Guardians Wednesday night. Davis hit a three-run home run in the eighth inning to tie up that game with LaMonte Wade Jr. hitting a game -winning sacrifice fly.

The strength in the San Francisco lineup should propel them through this series. Friday night the Giants head into the final leg of the season with 16 games left. They will be facing the Dodgers seven times, the Padres three times and two against the Diamondbacks.

They have to at least win this upcoming series with the Rockies although a sweep would go a long way for these guys because they face some dangerous foes in their final five series. It will for sure be an exciting photo finish this year for the San Francisco Giants.