Tag: Chicago Cubs

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: American Flag going to Cooperstown

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Chciago Cubs outfielder Rick Monday snatches American Flag from two fans William Errol Thomas Jr. (from Eldon, Missouri) and his 11-year-old son who attempted to light it in the outfield at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles Apr 25, 1976 (photo from Getty file)

American Flag going to Cooperstown

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

On April 25, 1976, during the US Bicentennial Year, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Cubs outfielder Rick Monday rescued the American flag from a man who ran onto the field and tried to set it on fire. Monday was assisted by a Marine Corps reservist, ran over and snatched the flag, and sprinted away just as they attempted to light it.

The Dodgers beat the Cubs 5-4 in front of 25,167 in the friendly confines of Dodger Stadium. 50 Years later, that same flag will be exhibited at Cooperstown all summer long this year when the United States of America is celebrating its 250th Year of Independence, and will debut Memorial Day as part of the Hall of Fame Military Classic festivities.

What is Rick Monday doing today? As of 2026, former All-Star outfielder and 1981 World Series champion Rick Monday continues his long-standing tenure as a broadcaster for the Los Angeles Dodgers in his 31st season with the World Champion as play-by-play man on the radio. Monday was recently honored with the Bob Feller Award of Valor Patriot Award.

The Museum continuously adds to its collection, which includes historically significant items like a 1921-1922 Babe Ruth scrapbook and a 4,108-photo collection from Look Magazine. The Baseball Hall of Fame does not purchase artifacts but relies on donations to preserve baseball history.

Every baseball fan should visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum at Cooperstown, New York. It is a must, where you will find everything about the game and learn a great deal about its history. I visited a few years ago and plan to visit again soon.

One of the most impressive items I remember is the handwritten notes” from the exact moment that Jackie Robinson made his major league debut in 1947, there are also letters, and scouting reports, like the report by scouts on a young Roberto Clemente. For more information, visit the website https://baseballhall.org/

Quote: Cooperstown is the greatest place on Earth” –Bob Feller.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Can Brewers and Blue Jays run away with rest of Division Series?

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Milwaukee Brewers Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a three run home in the bottom of the fourth inning at American Family Park in Milwaukee to go up in the series 2-0 on the Chicago Cubs in game 2 of the National League Division Series on Mon Oct 6, 2025 (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The Milwaukee Brewers moved two games ahead of the Chicago Cubs defeating the Cubs on Monday night at American Family Park in Milwaukee 7-3 in convincing fashion in game 2 in the NLDS.

#2 The Cubs are painted in a corner down 0-2 and have their backs to the wall as they send game 3 back to Chicago. The lovable losers need every inch of support from their friendly confines at Wrigley Field on Wed Oct 8.

#3 What’s happened to the New York Yankees they caved on Monday night to the Toronto Blue Jays 13-7 at Rogers Centre in Toronto.

#4 It was all Blue Jays in the second inning with two runs, in the third inning with three runs, and the Jays fans turned their ball caps inside out in the bottom of the fourth as the Jays scored six runs and put away game two as the Jays go up in the series 2-0.

#5 Yankees pitchers got lit up in game two as well starter Max Fried who suffered pitching three innings allowing eight hits, seven runs, two walks and got only one strike out, reliever Will Warren went 4.2 innings seven hits and six runs and one walk and six strikeouts. What’s happened to the Yankees pitching?

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez: Giants open three game set with Orioles Friday at Oracle Park

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Willy Adames of the San Francisco Giants gives thanks to the Almighty after hitting a solo home run in the top of the sixth inning against the Chicago Cubs at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Fri Aug 29, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez:

#1 San Francisco Giants Willy Adames slugged two home runs on Thursday afternoon against the Chicago Cubs on the way to a three game sweep defeating the Cubs 4-3.

#2 The win for the Giants was their tenth walk off this year and the Giants come into Friday night’s game against the Baltimore Orioles with a five game win streak.

#3 San Francisco’s Casey Schmitt walked with one out and advanced to second on Wilmer Flores base hit. Jung Hoo Lee singled to right for an RBI scoring pinch runner Christian Koss whose sliding into the plate while the throw went wide of the plate.

#4 The Giants open a three game series against the Baltimore Orioles starting Friday night for the Orioles RHP Dean Kremer (9-9 ERA 4.19) for the Giants LHP Robbie Ray (10-6 ERA 2.93). The O’s are a struggling bunch last place in the AL East having lost seven of their last ten games and are having troubles getting their pitching tracked. The O’s are coming off a four game series where they were swept by the Boston Red Sox. The Giants are coming off three game sweep over the Chicago Cubs.

#5 Sad news former Giants pitcher Randy Moffitt passed away at age 76 Friday his family said that Moffitt had died of an extended illness. Moffitt who is the brother of tennis star Billie Jean King pitched for San Francisco for the first ten years of his MLB career. Moffitt pitched for the Giants from 1972 to 1981. He then pitched for the Houston Astros in 1982 and the Toronto Blue Jays to round out his career in 1983. Moffit in his ninth season (1979) got easily exhausted, vomited frequently and lost close to 25 pounds. Doctors could not figure out what caused his sickness but one suggested that his problem was mental.

Lincoln Juarez is a MLB podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Webb solid over seven; Adames hits two home runs; and Jung Hoo Lee walks it off for fifth-straight 4-3 win and sweep of Cubs

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The thrill of victory as the San Francisco Giants Jung Hoo Lee (51) hits a walk off RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat the Chicago Cubs at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Thu Aug 28, 2025 (AP News photo)

Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Chicago Cubs 3 (76-58)

San Francisco Giants 4 (66-68)

Win: Ryan Walker (5-4)

Loss: Daniel Palencia (1-4)

Time: 2:09

Attendance: 32,187

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–Jung Hoo Lee walked it off with a base-hit in the bottom of the ninth inning, as the Giants completed the sweep of the Cubs with a big 4-3 win, and have now won five in a row.

The Giants came into Thursday having won four in a row, and have looked like a completely different team. They have been pitching well; playing good defense; executing good situational hitting and keeping the line moving; and hitting for power. It’s how they got off to their 24-14 start at the beginning of the season.

Most importantly, the Giants have been much looser, and have been having a lot more fun. Maybe it has to do with the lack of pressure after falling out of the pennant race, or maybe they just found that spark. The fact of the matter is that they have been playing much better, and have crept their way back up to just three games under .500.

The best part was that Logan Webb was getting a rare start after a Giants’s win. However, things were a bit rough for the Giants’ ace in the top of the first inning.

Kyle Tucker slashed a double off the end of the bat and down the left field line with one out. Ian Happ then fired, or shall we say rolled the opening salvo with a seeing-eye ground ball that found its way into right-center field for a base-hit. Tucker scored, and the Cubs had a 1-0 lead.

Pete Crow-Armsrong singled Happ over to third, and Webb was staring an ugly inning right in the face. However, Webb got Nico Hoerner to ground into a double play to end the inning, and limit the damage to just a run.

Webb got a much-needed reprieve , and the Giants struck back against Cubs’ starter Shota Imanaga in the bottom of the first. Rafael Devers took a one-out walk, and with a slight wind blowing out and the ball carrying, Willy Adames hit a home run to left-center field to put the Giants ahead.

The Cubs tied it on a home run by Dansby Swanson in the top of the second, but both pitchers settled down, and kept the score at 2-2 going into the middle innings. Imanaga set down 12 of the next 14 men he faced after Adames’ home run. Webb retired nine of the next 11 he faced after Swanson’s home run.

Michael Busch led off the top of the sixth with a home run to center to put the Cubs back ahead, but Webb then retired the side in order. Adames responded with his second home run of the game, this one also to center, in the bottom of the sixth to tie it back up at 3-3.

This was Adames’ fourth multi-home run game this season, and his second in just the last week. Adames has 24 home runs this season, and with 28 games left to play for the Giants, Adames could feasibly become the first Giant to hit 30 home runs in a season since Barry Bonds did hit 45 of them in 2004.

Both pitchers were truly evenly matched, as Webb and Iminaga both finished the day with one, two, three, innings in the seventh. Webb gave up three runs and seven hits over seven innings, while striking out seven and not walking a single guy. Iminaga allowed three runs and five hits over seven innings, while walking one and striking out five.

Jose Butto came in for the top of the eighth, and ran into trouble when Matt Shaw hit a one-out double to left. However, Busch hit a bullet that second-baseman Casey Schmitt leapt and caught, and Schmitt threw to second to double off Shaw, who had nowhere to go, and end the inning.

Brad Keller threw a scoreless bottom of the eighth for the Cubs. Joey Lucchesi and Ryan Walker combined for a scoreless top of the ninth. Chicago brought in Daniel Palencia, and he got Matt Chapman to ground out to start the bottom of the ninth.

However, the Giants rallied. Casey Schmitt and Wilmer Flores both lined base-hits to center, and the Giants had runners at first and second with one out for Jung Hoo Lee. With the count at 1-1, Lee got a somewhat-nasty slider on the inside; and lined a base-hit to right; Schmitt was waved in and scored the winning run, and the Giants had their tenth walk off win of the season.

Ryan Walker got the win, and Daniel Palencia took the loss.

The Giants have won their fifth in a row, and improve to 66-68. Other than their seven games against the Dodgers, 21 of the Giants’ final 28 games will be against teams currently under .500. The Giants just need to go 16-12 to finish over .500. With the schedule the rest of the way, it is certainly doable.

The Baltimore Orioles will come in for a three-game series starting Friday night. Robbie Ray (10-6, 2.93 ERA) will take the ball for the Giants. Dean Kremer (9-9, 4.19 ERA) will counter for the Orioles.

First pitch will be at the old and familiar 7:15 p.m.

San Francisco Giants podcast Augie Mesenburg: Giants handling Cubs well in first two games of series

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San Francisco Giants starter Justin Verlander pitched over six innings to pick up his second win on Tue Aug 26, 2025 at Oracle Park in San Francisco against the Chicago Cubs (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Augie Mesenburg:

#1  Augie, Justin Verlander finally picked up his first home game victory with a 5-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday night. The win brings Verlander’s record to 2-10.

#2 Matt Chapman got the Giants back in the ball game with a sixth inning homer and in an earlier at bat Wilmer Flores hit a home run in the second inning.

#3 Verlander in his start pitched six innings, allowed two runs, seven hits, struck out five hitters and walked two batters and held the Cubs off for the win.

#4 The Chapman home run was his 17th home run for the campaign and it’s his third straight home run after the Giants ended their four game losing streak.

#5 Tonight at Oracle the Cubs are going with RHP Colin Rea (10-5) and for the Giants LHP Carson Wisenhunt (1-1 ERA 4.91)

Augie Mesenburg is a reporter for KWAI 1080 radio Honolulu and is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Verlander gets first career win at Oracle Park and Giants win their third straight 5-2

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San Francisco Giants’ Matt Chapman (26) celebrates after hitting a two-run home run that also scored Wilmer Flores (41) during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in San Francisco, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

By Lincoln Juarez

Justin Verlander threw six strong innings Tuesday night to earn his first career win at Oracle Park. Flores and Chapman homered off Cubs pitching and Luis Matos stayed hot at the plate for a 5-2 win.

The Giants returned from an off-day and a 3-4 road trip Tuesday night to Oracle Park to host the Chicago Cubs, fresh off a sweep of the Angels in Anaheim over the weekend. In game one of the series, Justin Verlander made his 23rd start as a Giant hoping for his second win of the year. 

Verlander tossed a scoreless 1st inning and former Giant, Matt Boyd, who spent part of the 2022 campaign in San Francisco on the injured list, matched him in the home half for the Cubs. Boyd, who went into Tuesday’s game 12-6, 2.61, was making his 26th start of the year. 

The two veterans dueled it out on the mound through the first few innings with the score 1-0 in the Giants’ favor. Wilmer Flores hit his 14th home run of the season in the bottom of the second inning to put the Giants ahead 1-0. That was the only run scored through the first three innings. 

The Cubs offense got started in the top of the fourth when Ian Happ doubled and later came around to score on a Matt Shaw single. 

Chicago got to Verlander again in the fifth, scoring a two-out run to take the lead. Pete Crow-Armstrong hustled out a double and scored on a base hit by Carson Kelly, easily beating the throw home. 

The Giants came together to respond in the home half of the inning. Rallying to put Verlander in line for the win, Luis Matos got the fun started with a lead-off double off the bricks in right field to extend his hitting streak to five games. After Patrick Bailey popped out and Drew Gilbert went down swinging, Heliot Ramos came through to give the Giants a two-out run of their own and tie the game. 

Rafael Devers followed with a bloop single that fell in shallow left field to score Ramos and the Giants took the lead. 

Verlander set the Cubs down in order in the sixth and finished his night, 6.0ip, 7h, 2er, 2bb, 5k. 

The Giants did nothing but add to the lead, scoring two more in the sixth inning on a Matt Chapman home run (17). 

Joey Lucchesi, Jose Butto, and Ryan Walker combined for three shutout innings to preserve Justin Verlander’s first career win at Oracle Park. 

Postgame when Verlander was asked about his outing and the win, he put it quite simply… “Feels good”. 

The Giants have won three in a row and started the homestand strong. Carson Whisenhunt (1-1, 4.91) will face the Cubs’ Colin Rea (10-5, 3.96) Wednesday night at Oracle Park. 

First pitch 6:45pm.

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic: Giants return back to SF open series with Cubs Tuesday

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San Francisco Giant Luis Matos slides safely into home plate in the top of the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Park in Milwaukee on Sun Aug 24, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic:

#1 San Francisco Giants Heliot Ramos hit a two run single off Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Trevor Megill on Sunday with two outs in the top of the ninth as the Giants came back and beat the Brewers 4-3 at American Family Park in Milwaukee.

#2 The Giants were behind 3-2 when Matt Chapman came up and hit a ninth inning lead off double followed by Luis Matos who hit a single with one out. Rafael Devers struck out and Megill walked Jung Hoo Lee to load the bases that brought up Ramos who got a two run RBI single to give the Giants the lead 4-3.

#3 Ramos had been in a drought before coming to the plate in the ninth on Sunday going 0 for 12 over the last three games but tracked a 2-1 fastball and slugged it up the middle to get Chapman and Matos across the plate.

#4 Matos contributed earlier in the game with a two run home run that helped give San Francisco their first series win since beating the Pittsburgh Pirates back on Aug 4-6.

#5 The Giants have Monday off and return to Oracle Park to host the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs lead the National League Wild Card race by 6.5 games over second place San Diego Padres. The Giants are 6.5 games back for the last Wild Card spot.

Join Mark Ukalovic does the San Francisco Giants podcast each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Ramos and the Giants Come Alive In Ninth to Beat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-3

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San Francisco Giants Heliot Ramos connects for a ninth inning two run home run at Wrigley Field in Chicago Cubs on Sun Aug 24, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

When it looked grim going into the ninth inning, the San Francisco Giants (63-68) came to life turning this game around beating the Milwaukee Brewers (81-50) 4-3 Sunday. Matt Chapman doubled, Luis Matos singled and Jung Hoo Lee walked to load the bases in the ninth inning.

Heliot Ramos who had been hitless Sunday until the top of the ninth inning really came through. Ramos singled both Chapman and Matos home to take the lead 4-3. Closer Ryan Walker finished off the Brewers and the Giants had one of their best series wins this season.

Game recap: The Giants got after it in the second inning taking a 2-0 lead. Matos homered to left center for two-runs with WIlmer Flores on first base. Matos has been instrumental the entire series hitting a couple of home runs in game one looking really good in his return to Milwaukee since signing with San Francisco in the last off-season as a free agent.

Milwaukee cut the Giants lead in half in the bottom of the second inning. Brandon Lockridge singled Christian Yelich home from second base and the Brewers trailed by a single run 2-1. Milwaukee tied up the game in the bottom of the third inning 2-2. The Brewers doubled and singled in the inning. Yelich who was having a great day singled Caleb Durbin home from second base for the tie.

The Brewers took the lead in the fifth inning when Caleb Durbin, who was also having a banner day, hit the Brewers first home run of the game for a 3-2 lead.

In the bottom of the sixth inning there was a pitching change for San Francisco. Ray had gone five innings, allowing six hits, three runs, four walks and no strikeouts. Ray was relieved by Joel Peguero in his second appearance on the mound.

There had also been a pitching change for the Brewers in the sixth inning. Starter Chad Patrick went 5 1/3 innings allowing four hits, two runs, two walks and seven strikeouts before being relieved by Nick Mears. Both relief pitchers got their respective teams out of the sixth inning and this game went into the top of the seventh.

The Brewers relief pitcher Shelby Miller took over on the mound in the seventh inning getting out of the inning. The game had reached the seventh-inning stretch in a one-run game with Milwaukee hanging onto the lead 3-2.

Joel Peguero would pitch into the seventh inning. There was a pitching change with two outs in the inning. Matt Gage came in to face Christian Yelich looking for the third out. With the way that Yelich has been playing in this series it was imperative to get that third out. Yelich lined out on the first pitch and it was on to the eighth inning.

San Francisco was running out of outs but the good news was that they had the top of the order to start the eighth inning with Jung Hoo Lee the first at bat. Relief pitcher Abner Uribe got the Brewers out of the inning and San Francisco was down to their last three outs.

With two outs this game took a huge turn in favor of the Giants. Matt Chapman doubled, Luis Matos singled, Jung Hoo Lee walked and the bases were loaded with Heliot Ramos at the plate. He had been 0-4 so far in the game but he connected when it really counted for a single and two runs scored for a 4-3 San Francisco lead going into the bottom of the ninth inning.

Giants Relief pitcher Ryan Walker came in to try and close out this game. With two outs, the Brewers were down to their last out. Sal Frelick singled when he was down to his final strike. Anthony Ziegler came to the plate and was down to his final strike. Ziegler struck out and this was one to celebrate for San Francisco taking a series from the best team in baseball.

The Giants fought back late in the game but came from behind to win not only the game but the series from the best team in baseball. They had an outstanding ninth inning scoring the tying run and the go-ahead run for a 4-3 lead that was enough to take the series. It was great to see Chapman and Ramos instrumental in that ninth inning. It was a well-deserved win after playing a really competitive series especially after struggling lately.

Game notes: Sunday afternoon the Giants played the rubber game of their three game series with the Brewers. Prior to the start of the game, under sparkling blue skies the stadium honored the late great Mr. Baseball Bob Uecker who passed earlier this year at the ripe old age of 90.

The sell-out crowd came early for this celebration of life that included dignitaries from the world of baseball, family, friends as well as the 42,000 plus fans on hand today for this very special commemoration.

The Hall-of-Fame Broadcaster was publicly honored at the perfect venue in fact no other venue would have been appropriate for Uecker than a game day at the stadium. A whole lot went into this celebration combining total respect, humor, memories, highlighting his unparalleled love of the game of baseball. It was a fitting tribute to a man who loved his job and his sport and will forever be remembered by baseball fans around the globe.

When the festivities came to the end that no wanted to see game three get underway. This could have without doubt been an entire day of love, celebration and tribute to Mr. Baseball. He is with all of us in spirit as his beloved Brewers got down to the business of baseball this afternoon.

The Giants tied up the series Saturday in a blazing display of great offense, solid pitching from start to finish and clean defense beating the Brewers 7-1.

San Francisco will now travel home for a series with the Chicago Cubs that gets underway Tuesday night at Oracle Park. Justin Verlander will have another go looking for win number two. He has a 1-10 win/loss record and a 4.64 ERA. The Cubs will start Matthew Boyd who comes into the game with a 12-6 win/loss record and a 2.61 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 6:45 PM. The Giants are 6.5 game behind for the last Wild Card spot in the NL.

Headline Sports Jessica Kwong podcast: Cubs now 6.5 games in front of Brewers; Devers says he’ll play anywhere Giants ask; plus more news

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Chicago Cubs designated hitter Seiya Suzuki runs the bases after hitting a three run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Tue June 17, 2025 (AP News photo)

Headline Sports podcast Jessica Kwong:

#1 Jessica the Chicago Cubs are competing they are six and half games in front of the second place Milwaukee Brewers and have won six of their last ten games. The first four hitters in the Cubs line up all scored runs on Tuesday night and Wednesday night’s game was rained out.

#2 At the press conference for new San Francisco Giant Rafael Devers he said he was there to play wherever they want him to play. When Devers was at the Red Sox he said he wanted to play at third base when he was moved to DH for Alex Bregman. Devers unhappy wanted to leave Boston and now says he’s willing to play anywhere the Giants want him to. How do you see this working out.

#3 Jessica, the awkward thing about Devers coming to San Francisco is that his old team the Boston Red Sox are coming to Oracle Park on Friday night. It’s curious to see the greeting his old team will give him when he comes up to the plate against them.

#4 Philadelphia Phillie right fielder Nick Castellanos was scratched from Tuesday’s line up for  “an inappropriate comment” according to Phillies manager Rob Thomson. Castellanos was upset after being replaced moving Max Kepler to right and inserting Johan Rojas to center.

#5 What happened to the New York Yankees they have now lost five straight games and were shutout by the Los Angeles Angels at Anaheim Stadium on Tuesday night 4-0. The Yankees are hanging onto a 2.5 game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Jessica Kwong does Headline Sports every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast Morris Phillips: Giants close out road trip in Minnesota Friday

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San Francisco Giants Wilmer Flores celebrates with teammates after scoring on a Christian Koss single in the top of the fourth inning at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Wed May 7, 2025 (AP News photo)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast Morris Phillips:

#1 San Francisco Giants pitcher Robbie Ray had another brilliant outing going six innings, allowing three hits and one run, two walks and five strike outs in the Giants win over the Chicago Cubs 3-1.

#2 Ray picked up his second win in a row on Wednesday he’s rolling. Relief pitcher Camilo Doval and Tyler Rogers retired three hitters amongst them to open the door for closer Ryan Walker who finished off the Cubs for the win.

#3 Talking about Walker he picked up his seventh save so it looks like thing are coming together?

#4 The Giants had that wild game last Tuesday night scoring nine runs in the top of the 11th inning to defeat the Cubs 14-5. The bats are making noise.

#5 San Francisco heads to Minnesota to open a three game series on Friday. at Target Field in Minneapolis. The Giants are just 1.5 game back of the first place Los Angeles Dodgers. Starting pitcher for the Giants Friday Jordan Hicks (1-3 ERA 6.03). The Twins are fourth in the AL Central at 17-20. How do you see this series?

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