San Francisco Giants podcast Morris Phillips: SF’s Verlander relieved to get first win; Giants meet the Mets on Friday

San Francisco Giants designated hitter Rafael Devers (16) rounds the bases after hitting a three run home run in the top of the sixth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Field in Cobb County on Wed Jul 23, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Morris Phillips:

#1 San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Justin Verlander got nervous after it started raining Wednesday at Truist Park in Atlanta. The game was in fifth inning and Verlander wanted to get this one in as an official and was short three out to make that that happen for his first win of the season.

#2 The Giants had a 3-0 when the rains came and was afraid that once again his efforts to pick up his first win would be squandered away. Verlander holds the Giants record for the longest winless streak for a pitcher in Giants history. Verlander has gone winless in his first 16 starts.

#3 “I didn’t know. I figured something like that would happen,” Verlander said. “This would be the game that gets rained out or we have a two-hour delay and they don’t let me go back out.”

#4 Verlander threw five shutout innings, allowed a hit, and walked five Atlanta hitters and got some run support to boot.

#5 The return to Oracle Park on Friday to face the New York Mets. Starting pitcher for the Mets RHP Clay Holmes (8-5 ERA 3.48) for the Giants RHP Logan Webb (9-7 ERA 3.08) first pitch 7:15pm PT.

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

7-23-2025 Giants @ Braves Insomniac Lunatic Fringe Postgame

San Francisco Giant Dominic Smith (7) is congratulated by his teammates after scoring on Luis Matos RBI in the top of the seventh inning against the Atlanta Braves on Wed Jul 23, 2025 (AP News photo)

What a difference the last 48 hours have made for the San Francisco Giants. The beat writers were talking with third baseman Matt Chapman apparently the words team meeting. Apparently after Monday’s loss the Giants went out and did everything right on Tuesday night.

Those things situational hitting, power, good defense you name it on route to a 9-0 win on Tuesday. There is word there was talks amongst the players after the game Monday because the Giants have looked like completely different team over the last 48 hours.

Stephen Ruderman is a San Francisco Giants beat writer and does the Giants podcasts after every Giants game at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Insomniac Lunatic Fringe Postgame 7-22-2025 Giants @ Braves

San Francisco Giants Wilmer Flores rounds the bases after hitting a three run home run against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Field in Cumberland, Cobb County GA on Tue Jul 22, 2025 (AP News photo)

Tuesday night the Giants came in three games over .500 and it’s the first time that the Giants have the smallest gap over .500 since April 1st. Willie Adames said after Monday night’s game, “I feel like in the first half we were grinders. It feel like lately the energy is not there. That’s not our identity, it feels like we’ve fallen off the bus.”

Adames continued saying, “It’s not us we have to figure a way out of it as soon as possible. I was saying after Monday night’s loss they need to get hot and they need to get hot fast. At first I thought it was a meltdown in the clubhouse but 95.7 The Game’s Sam Lubman said it was Adames way of calling out the team.

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

What A Difference A Day Makes – Giants Square Series Beating Atlanta In Shutout 9-0, end six game skid

Relief in sight as the San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman (26) is congratulated by first baseman Rafael Devers (right) after beating the Atlanta Braves and snapping their six game losing streak at Truist Field in Cumberland Cobb County GA on Tue Jul 22, 2025 (AP news photo)

By Barbara Mason

After losing to the Atlanta Braves day, the San Francisco Giants (53-49 ) tied up the series beating Atlanta (44-56) in a shut-out 9-0. After playing what was probably their worst showing this season the Giants turned it all around.

Gone was the brain fog in the outfield, gone were the errors and the effort on the mound was stellar. San Francisco starter Landen Roupp went five innings allowing four hits, no runs, one walk and six strikeouts getting this shut-out well underway.

San Francisco broke this game wide open in the second inning taking a 4-0 lead and never looked back. Matt Chapman tripled driving Willy Adames home for the early 1-0 lead. They went on to score three more runs in the inning.

Wilmer Flores sacrificed Chapman home followed by a Casey Schmitt solo home run. The Giants scored one more run in the inning when Heliot Ramos sacrificed Patrick Bailey home and San Francisco had jumped to a 4-0 lead.

The Giants held the 4-0 lead going into the fifth inning when they scored another run. Heliot Adames singled Rafael Devers home taking a 5-0 lead. Mid-way through the game San Francisco had taken total command and in fact looked unbeatable.

Hanging onto the 5-0 lead going into the seventh inning they tacked four more runs on leaving the Braves in the dust. Devers singled Ramos home. Flores had another hit, a three run home run with Devers and Adames on base extending their lead to 9-0.

The Giants totally dominated from the start of the game to the finish. Outfield play was spotless. Work on the mound was lights out and the Giants had ten hits in this game. Ten hits with nine runs scored; San Francisco had pulled out all the stops and after losing six games in a row the streak was broken.

Devers had an outstanding game going error free in his first career start at first base and offensively he was pretty darn good with two hits and two runs. Chapman and Patrick Bailey each had two hits, Chapman with one RBI and Bailey with two.

Starting pitcher Roupp was hot throwing the shut-out. San Francisco has now won five of his last six outings. His ERA has now improved to 3.11.

San Francisco relief pitching gave up no runs and collectively they struck out eight batters. Only two Atlanta at bats walked in the game. The Braves Matt Olson had three hits in the game and the Giants came away with eight hits but could not put together a single run in the contest.

Wednesday the two teams will meet in the rubber game with first pitch scheduled for 9:15 AM. San Francisco will start Justin Verlander who continues his search for his first season win. He is 0-8 and his ERA is 4.99.

The Braves plan on sending Spencer Strider to the mound with a 4-7 win/loss record and a 3.59 ERA. The Giants will be looking for a second win in a row, hopefully just the start of stringing multiple wins and working their way up in the standings.

Giants Lose Opener to the Braves 9-5 Via Ugly Defense and Pitching

The Atlanta Braves Drake Baldwin (30) slugs a first inning two RBI single against the San Francisco Giants at Truist Field in Cumberland Cobb County GA on Mon Jul 21, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Horrible pitching from Hayden Birdsong lasting only one inning started the downward slide for the San Francisco Giants (52-48) losing to the Atlanta Braves (43-55) 9-5 in game one of their three game series.

Top it off with some very sloppy defense and the Giants outfield was awful. Willy Adames is in fifth place with the most errors in the majors and San Francisco has a lot to clean up going forward.

Mistakes from Jung Hoo Lee which we don’t expect to see was just another factor. Put it all together and you have a string of losses.

Game recap: The Giants had a productive start in the top of the first inning scoring a run taking an early 1-0 lead, Matt Chapman hit an infield single and Heliot Ramos was able to cross home plate.
The San Francisco lead was short-lived in the bottom of the first inning. The Braves scored five runs taking a 5-1 lead. A huge hit for Atlanta came off the bat of Drake Baldwin who doubled driving in three runners, Ronald Acuna Jr., Jurickson Profar, Matt Olsen and just like that the score was 3-0. The Braves would score two more runs off a Nick Allen single. Ozzie Albies and Drake Baldwin both scored on the Allen hit and Atlanta had a 5-1 lead after the opening inning.

It was a disastrous start for Birdsong in the first inning. He walked the first three at bats, gave up a double followed by another walk and then hit Sean Murphy. The Braves had scored three runs off one hit.

Birdsong was relieved by Matt Gage who struck out a couple of Braves but gave up the Nick Allen single for two more runs. This was not an outing that Birdsong will want to remember any time soon and this was not the way San Francisco wanted to start this game but it was still very early with a lot of ball still to be played.

The Giants got something cooking in the second and third innings but was only able to score in the second inning. Patrick Bailey sacrificed and Wilmer Flores scored. San Francisco trailed by three runs 5-2 but it was still manageable.

In the bottom of the fourth inning the Braves had another scoring frenzy taking an 8-2 lead. Drake Baldwin who was having a great game singled Matt Olsen and Ronald Ocuna Jr home. Another run would score off an Ozzie Albies single and the Braves were really humming.

The Giants would score one run in the top of the fifth inning but more than half-way through the game they would need more while putting the skids on the offensive effort from Atlanta which had been very productive.

Willy Adames doubled Rafael Devers home for the single run. The Giants Tristin Beck took over on the mound coming away with the Giants first three and out inning in the game.

The Braves scored again in the bottom of the sixth inning when both Ronald Acuna Jr and Drake Baldwin hit doubles. The Baldwin double drove in Acuna Jr. taking a 9-3 lead.

Willy Adames hit his 15th home run of the season in the seventh inning, a solo shot and the score was 9-4 in favor of Atlanta. San Francisco already had ten hits through seven innings but it was the first inning that put them behind the eight ball. The Giants had some work to do with two innings left in the game.

The score was 9-4 going into the ninth inning. San Francisco got a run in the ninth but it was too little too late. They have now lost six games in a row. They had 12 hits in the game but ugly defense and trouble on the mound was the deciding factor in the 9-5 loss. Mental errors cost San Francisco dearly.

Game notes: After losing a series to the red-hot Toronto Blue Jays over the weekend, the San Francisco Giants (52-48) dropped the first game of the three game series on Monday night in steamy Atlanta (43-55). At first pitch the temperature was an uncomfortable 86 degrees and dry but rain is called for Tuesday, in fact eight days of rain in a row. Hopefully they will be able to work in games two and three without delays.

Birdsong didn’t pitch long relieved without retiring one batter in the first inning allowing one hit and five earned runs and walking four. For the Braves starter Bryce Elder five innings pitched, eight hits, three earned runs, and one strike out.

Tuesday the Giants will try to break the six game losing streak and come away with a win. It can’t get much worse than what was seen Monday. Landen Roupp will take the mound for the Giants with a 6-6 win/loss record and a 3.27 ERA. The Braves plan on starting Davis Daniel (0-0 ERA 1.80). First pitch for this game is scheduled for 4:15 PM PT.

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic: Talking Giants Birdsong and the other Bird the Blue Jays

San Francisco Giants pitcher Hayden Birdsong (60) pitches against the Kansas City Royals on Tue May 20, 2025 at Oracle Park in San Francisco and will start against the Atlanta Braves Mon Jul 21, 2025 at Truist Field in Cumberland Cobb County GA (AP file photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic:

#1 Addison Barger of the Toronto Blue Jays hit a two run homer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr and George Springer slugged home runs as the Jays beat the Giants in a two run decision 8-6 last Sunday.

#2 The Giants were swept in the three game set with the Jays and the sweep for the Jays matches a franchise record for their tenth straight home win.

#3 The Giants starter Robbie Ray struggled in this one allowing five hits, five earned runs, five walks and three strike outs in 4.1 innings of work.

#4 The Giants Justin Verlander didn’t last long on Friday night he got shelled by the Jays line up with nine hits and four earned runs in 2.2 innings of work. Verlander dropped his record to 0-8. Marko do you think Verlander should move to middle relief from the starting role?

#5 Staring pitchers for Monday’s game in Atlanta for the Giants RHP Hayden Birdsong (4-3, ERA 4.11) for the Braves RHP Bryce Elder (3-6, ERA 5.65) first pitch is 4:00pm PT at Truist Field in Cobb County.

#6 The White House said they want the Washington Football Team to immediately return the name to Redskins and their is talk that the Cleveland Indians name will be ordered to return. The Braves name has been offensive for some Native American tribes do you see the Redskins and Indians returning back to their old names by order of the White House which many find offensive?

Join Marko for the Giants podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s and Braves Battle in The Heat; Sac’s Soderstrom gets 11th inning walk off single to beat Atlanta 5-4

Sacramento A’s Tyler Soderstrom circles the bases after belting a first inning three run home run off the Atlanta Braves at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Thu Jul 10, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Tony Renteria

WEST SACRAMENTO- The Altanta Braves and the Sacramento Athletics who play at Sutter Health Park faced off in the rubber match of this three game series on Thursday night. The temperature at the 6:05 PM first pitch time was 99 degrees.

The Braves were coming off a huge win on Wednesday after a bitter loss to the A’s Tuesday night and came looking to to play some tough baseball and that is exactly what happened on this hot Thursday evening. An 11 inning battle that saw the A’s get a 5-4 victory.

The A’s Started strong in the first inning with a left field double by Brent Rooker, Nick Kurtz followed with a walk, and then a towering three run blast to deep left by Tyler Soderstrom off a curve ball by starting pitcher Spencer Strider that 454 feet in deep right center.

In the top of the fourth Austin Riley lead off with a double, and Sean Murphy traded places with him with a double of his own in the left field pocket along the foul line. Then Jurickson Profar took a JP Sears fastball over the left center field fence to tie it up three to three.

In the top of the seventh the Braves Ozzie Albies hit a home run to to deep right center for a 4-3 lead. In the bottom of the eighth the A’s Nick Kurtz matched that feet with a home run of his own but this time to deep left center.

The game headed to into extra innings, in the bottom on the 11th with Brent Rooker on second, Tyler Soderstrom the hero from the first inning came through again with a single to deep center that brought Rooker in for the winning run.

The Braves head to St. Louis and Busch Stadium to take on the third place St Louis Cardinals, while the A’s host the fist place Toronto Blue Jays who are leading the American League East. Starting pitcher for the Blue Jays RHP Max Scherzer (0-0 ERA 4.76) for the A’s RHP Luis Severino (2-10 ERA 5.30) first pitch at Sutter Health Park 7:05pm PT.

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Renteria: A’s Spence gets lit up by Braves 9-2 Wednesday night

Sacramento A’s pitcher Mitch Spence (21) was rocked in six innings of pitching. The Atlanta Braves hit a season high of five home runs and routed the A’s at Sutter Health Field in West Sacramento on Wed Jul 10, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Renteria:

#1 Ronald Acuna Jr took Sacramento A’s pitching yard twice with a lead off blast off on Wednesday night as the Atlanta Braves crushed Sacramento 9-2 at Sutter Health Field in the second game of the three game set.

#2 Acuna’s two home runs plus three more Braves home runs gives the Braves the most home runs in a game at five.

#3 The Braves 13 game drought in winning in California comes to an end with their win in Sacramento on Wednesday.

#4 A’s starter Mitch Spence got touched up for four runs in the first inning and two in the second his final line after six innings pitched allowed eight hits, nine earned runs, one walk and three strike outs for the loss.

#5 Series is tied at 1-1 as the rubber game will commence at 6:05pm PT Thursday night. It’s a get away game for the Braves who head to St Louis on Friday. The A’s will host the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night. For Thursday night’s starters the Braves will go with RHP Spencer Strider (3-7 ERA 3.93) for the A’s LHP JP Sears (7-7 ERA 4.76).

Tony Renteria is filling in for Jeremiah Salmonson the A’s podcasts are heard each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Sacramento A’s podcast Michael Roberson: A’s get around the ball with Butler’s inside the park HR and standard HR

The Sacramento A’s Lawrence Butler (4) circles the bases in the bottom of the third inning for his second home run of the night against the Atlanta Braves at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Tue Jul 8, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 Sacramento A’s right fielder Lawrence Butler hit a lead off inside the park home run against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night at Sutter Health Park. It was the first time in 82 years that an A’s player hit a lead off inside the park home run.

#2 For Butler it was his 12th home run of the season and he did it with no one on base. Butler hit the inside the park homer off of Braves starter Didier Fuentes of the right center field fence and the ball took a bounce in right field and got away from the Atlanta outfielders Stuart Fairchild and Eli White.

#3 The A’s All Star starting shortstop Jacob Wilson was hit on the left wrist and had to leave the game. Wilson is also the top candidate for the AL Rookie of the Year.

#4 Butler hit the first of three first inning home runs giving the A’s a 5-0 lead. Brent Rooker and Max Muncy both hit two run homers. For Rooker it was his 19th home run and Muncy hit his eighth home run.

#5 The starting pitchers for Wednesday for the Braves RHP Bryce Elder (2-6 ERA 5.92) and for the A’s RHP Mitch Spence (2-4 ERA 4.06) first pitch 7:05pm PT at Sutter Health Park.

Join Michael Roberson for the A’s podcasts Wednesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson: Wilson first A’s shortstop since 1975 to start in All Star Game

Sacramento A’s shortstop Jacob Wilson (5) is the first A’s shortstop since 1975 to start in an All Star Game since Bert Campaneris (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 The Sacramento A’s lost a tough series to the San Francisco Giants with a 6-2 loss on Sunday night. San Francisco takes the regular season series overall finishing, 5-1.

#2 Giant Willy Adames continues his batting presence going 1-3 at the plate with one run, one home run, two BB’s, and three RBI’s last Sunday evening. He now joins former legendary Giant Rich Aurilia with three or more RBIs in consecutive games since September 2000.

#3 A’s starting pitcher Jacob Lopez pitched 4.1 inning, allowed five hits, four earned runs, one walk and eight strikeouts. The Giants scored three runs off Lopez in the top of the fifth inning that caused most of the damage for Sacramento.

#4 The Atlanta Braves are in town to face off with the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. One of the most feared lead off hitters in the game the Braves Ronald Acuna Jr and is hitting .331, with nine home runs, 18 RBIs and 46 hits.

#5 It’s back to the drawing board for the A’s who host the Atlanta Braves Tuesday night at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. Starting pitcher for the Braves RHP Didier Fuentes (0-2 ERA 9.00) and for the A’s LHP Jeffrey Springs (6-6 ERA 4.07) first pitch 7:05pm PT.

 Jeremiah Salmonson does the A’s podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.