Tag: mlb

Bailey walks off Rangers, as Giants win 3-2 on Brandon Crawford Day

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Former San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford addresses the crowd in his retirement speech at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Brandon Crawford Day Sat Apr 26, 2025 before the Giants hosted the Texas Rangers (AP News photo)

Saturday, April 26, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Texas Rangers 2 (15-12)

San Francisco Giants 3 (18-10)

Win: Ryan Walker (1-1)

Loss: Jacob Webb (2-1)

Time: 2:38

Attendance: 40,153

By Stephen Ruderman

Patrick Bailey capped off a festive and an exciting afternoon by sending everybody home happy with a pinch-hit walk-off base-hit to propel the Giants to a 3-2 win over Bruce Bochy’s Rangers on Brandon Crawford Day.

Even though the Giants and Rangers had a game Saturday, the only thing on anyone’s mind today was Brandon Crawford. Crawford, one of the greatest shortstops in Giants’ franchise history, and possibly the greatest shortstop in San Francisco Giants’ history, had his official retirement ceremony prior to the game.

Some of Crawford’s former teammates, including Buster Posey and Hunter Pence were there, as was his old manager, Bruce Bochy. Something tells me that having this ceremony when Bochy was in town with the Rangers was a calculated decision, and a good one at that.

Crawford, who is beginning to look the part of a retired ballplayer with noticeable gray whiskers, took to the podium and made his speech. Afterwards, Crawford threw out the ceremonial first pitch to Posey, who was in the squat behind home plate in his executive attire, and he and his family took a lap around the field.

There was of course the ballgame that was supposed to be played Saturday. The Rangers shut out the Giants in the series opener Friday night, and the Giants looked for some of the old mojo and vibes to lead them to victory Saturday.

It was also a matchup of two undefeated pitchers in Robbie Ray and Tyler Mahle. Both pitchers came into today’s game with 3-0 records, though Ray’s ERA was substantially higher.

Both pitchers were slow to get their feet on the ground, Ray even more so. The Rangers plated a run off Ray in the top of the first inning, as Wyatt Langford doubled with one out; advanced to third base on an infield hit; and scored on a sacrifice fly by Jake Burger.

Mahle worked his way out of jams in the bottom of the first and second, and Ray somewhat settled down with a scoreless top of the second.

However, Ray ran into problems again in the top of the third. Well, it was really a problem, and that problem was former Giant and Willie Mac Award Winner Kevin Pillar, who played for Bochy in his final season at the helm of the Giants in 2019.

Pillar lined a base-hit to left field to start the inning. He then stole both second and third, and then he scored on the second sacrifice fly of the game by Burger.

Mahle pitched scoreless innings in the bottom of the third and the fourth. Ray got his first one, two, three inning of the day in the top of the fourth, and did the same in the top of the fifth.

Mahle had pitched four shutout innings, but he was far from dominant. He had yet to throw a one, two, three inning, as the pesky Giants did everything they could to get on the board.

The Giants would finally break through in the bottom of the fifth. Christian Koss started the inning with a base-hit to right, and Sam Huff got him over to third with a double. Mike Yastrzemski popped up to Nick Ahmed, another former Giant, at short for the first out, but Willie Adames lined a base-hit to left-center to knock in both runners and tie it.

Mahle ended up going five innings, while giving up two runs.

Robbie Ray, on the other hand, was in complete control. He threw another one, two, three inning in the sixth, and he ended up setting down 13-straight Rangers. Josh Smith broke the streak with a two-out base-hit in the top of the seventh, but Ahmed then flew out to end the inning and a really strong start for Ray.

In seven innings, Ray gave up two runs and five hits. He walked just one, and he struck out Ray. While neither pitcher got a decision in this one, Ray definitely won the battle of undefeated starting pitchers.

Tyler Rogers threw a scoreless top of the eighth, and this game sailed into the ninth. Neither team could get the lead back, and this game was going to be settled one way or another.

Ryan Walker was once again entrusted with the top of the ninth, but the Rangers pounced on him right away. Marcus Semien and Jonah Heim both singled, and Texas had runners on first and second to start the inning.

Walker was in trouble again, but he bore down. Kyle Higashioka attempted to lay down a sacrifice bunt, but Walker got him to pop out to the catcher, Sam Huff, in foul territory. Walker then struck out Josh Smith and Joc Pederson to get out of it unscathed and with the game still tied.

The Giants went to the bottom of the ninth in perfect position to win it, and you kinda just knew they were going to win it.

Jacob Webb, who finished the bottom of the eighth for the Rangers, was back out for the bottom of the ninth. The Giants wasted no time, as Heliot Ramos singled to center, and LaMonte Wade walked on four pitches. Unlike Higashioka, Christian Koss was able to get the sacrifice bunt down, as he got the runners over to second and third.

Bob Melvin then sent in Patrick Bailey to pinch-hit for Sam Huff. Bruce Bochy countered by bringing in the left-hander, Jacob Latz, to force the switch-hitting Bailey to hit right-handed. For Bailey it was no problem. Bailey took the first pitch, a changeup at the bottom of the knees, and flipped it out to right for a base-hit, and Ramos scored to win it.

It was the Giants’ fourth walk-off win of the season, as they improve to 18-10.

Ryan Walker was rewarded for his hard work and perseverance during this long week with the win. Jacob Webb took the loss for the Rangers. And yes, Robbie Ray and Tyler Mahle still remain undefeated at 3-0.

The Giants will try to win the series in the finale Sunday afternoon. Jordan Hicks (1-3, 6.59 ERA), who has had some rocky starts early on, will take the ball for the Giants. Jack Leiter (2-0, 0.90 ERA), the son of former major leaguer, Al Leiter, and the nephew of former Giant, Mark Leiter, will make the start for the Rangers.

First pitch will be at 1:05 p.m.

Giants News and Notes:

Saturday was also the fifth sellout for the Giants so far this season at Oracle Park. Since 2019, the most games the Giants have sold out in a single season at Oracle Park is 10, which they did in both 2022 and 2024.

A’s Fall to White Sox 10-3, Setting Up Rubber Match on Sunday

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Brent Rooker in the game against the White Sox on Saturday afternoon. (Photo: Athletics on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — The Athletics came into Saturday’s matchup against the White Sox riding high. The A’s had just won a series against the Texas Rangers and handled business in the first game of the three-game series against the White Sox. Riding stellar bullpen performances and timely hitting of late, the A’s looked to win consecutive home series for the first time in their brief history at Sutter Health Park.

The White Sox had other plans, handling the A’s with ease in a 10-3 victory.

A’s starter Jeffrey Springs struggled early, as has been the case in a few of his starts this season. Springs gave up four runs in the first inning and two more in the second, putting the A’s in an early hole against baseball’s worst team. The game felt firmly in the White Sox’s possession, and the only question was whether the A’s offense could do enough to win a slugfest.

However, in a game that was bad early for Springs, he did settle in nicely, managing to go six innings. He gave up only one more run in the sixth, finishing with seven runs allowed on seven hits with two walks and four strikeouts. It was undoubtedly a good sign for Springs, who early on looked like he might not finish two innings.

On the offensive side, the A’s couldn’t get much going against the White Sox. They got a run back in the fourth inning on a Miguel Andujar groundout that scored Brent Rooker, who had doubled earlier in the inning.

In the seventh, the A’s added another run courtesy of a Luis Urías homer, but only after the White Sox had expanded their lead against the A’s bullpen in the top half. The White Sox scored three runs against reliever Noah Murdock, who pitched two innings, giving up three runs on three hits while walking three batters. It was not Murdock’s best outing, as he had been stellar of late for Mark Kotsay.

Grant Holman pitched the top of the ninth for the A’s, firing a scoreless inning with no walks and a strikeout.

The A’s were able to add a run in the ninth thanks to a Nick Kurtz RBI single after a Miguel Andujar triple, but they would drop the second game of the series 10-3 to the White Sox.

The A’s fell to 13-14 with the loss as the White Sox improved to 7-20 with the win.

Up Next: The A’s and White Sox will play the rubber game of the series on Sunday at 1:05 PM PST at Sutter Health Park. Osvaldo Bido is slated to go for the A’s, countered by Davis Martin for the White Sox.

San Francisco Giants game wrap: Evoldi stymies Giants, as Verlander can’t get support in Rangers’ 2-0 shutout

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Texas Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi deals to the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the second inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Fri Apr 25, 2025 (AP News photo)

Friday, April 25, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Texas Rangers 2 (15-11)

San Francisco Giants 0 (17-10)

Win: Nathan Evaldi (2-2)

Loss: Justin Verlander (0-2)

Save: Luke Jackson (8)

Time: 2:40

Attendance: 40,080

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants’ offense was unable to give Justin Verlander the runs he needed for his first win, as Nathan Evoldi just stymied them with six strong shutout innings and seven strikeouts, and the Rangers shutout the Giants 2-0 in the series opener Friday night at Oracle Park.

I know this next sentence is going to sound odd, but Bruce Bochy brought the Rangers into town for a 2010 World Series rematch to start what will be a series and weekend of celebrating old times.

Speaking of old times, two longtime pitchers in Nathan Evoldi and Justin Verlander squared off, as the Giants looked to build on another big comeback win yesterday. Oh yeah, and our old friend, Joc Pederson, was also on with the Rangers.

However, there was one little problem. The game would be on Apple TV, which most fans do not have, so at best, they would have to listen to Friday night’s game on the radio.

Both pitchers started off well, as they traded zeros in the first two innings. The Rangers then fired the opening salvo in the top of the third, as Jake Burger hit a leadoff double, and Wyatt Langford got him in with a two-out base hit to left field.

Evoldi continued to shut the Giants down, as he pitched a scoreless inning in the bottom of the third, and threw a one, two, three bottom of the fourth. Verlander also continues to deal, as he threw back-to-back one, two, three innings in the fourth and fifth.

Evoldi threw another scoreless inning in the bottom of the fifth, but Verlander ran into trouble in the top of the sixth. Josh Smith led off the inning with an infield hit, and up came Langford. The Ranger appeared to have made it 2-0 when Langord hit a double that bounced off the wall left-center. However, upon review, the ball had bounced up against the back wall at the left end of the Giants’ bullpen, so it was ruled a ground-rule double, and Smith was sent back to third base.

However, the Rangers would get that second run when Joc came up. Joc had snapped his brutal 0-for-41 stretch on Wednesday, so of course he would burn his old team. Joc hit a ground ball to second that hit off the glove of the diving second-baseman, Tyler Fitzgerald, into right for a base-hit, and Smith scored to make it 2-0.

Oddly enough, Verlander would get out of the rest of the inning without any further damage. Verlander struck Adolis Garcia out swinging, and he got Marcus Semien to ground into a double play to end the inning.

That did it for Verlander, who had a good night. He threw six solid innings and gave up two runs to a strong Rangers’ team.

Evoldi completed his strong night by striking out the side in a 1-2-3 bottom of the sixth. Evoldi ended up striking out seven in his six innings of work.

Randy Rodriguez pitched a pair of scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth. Ryan Walker then came in for a big outing in the top of the ninth. Walker blew a save in Anaheim on Sunday when the Giants led 4-1 in the bottom of the ninth. He then nearly blew a non-save situation on Wednesday against the Brewers before Doval came in and got the emergency save. Plain and simple, he needed a big inning.

Yesterday, Bob Melvin insisted after Camilo Doval’s second-straight save that Ryan Walker would be the man tonight. Tonight, Walker’s job was to keep the deficit at 2-0. Walker proceeded to get the one, two three inning he desperately needed.

Lefty Robert Garcia had thrown a one, two, three, bottom of the eighth, and Bruce Bochy had him go back out to face the left-handed-hitting Jung Hoo Lee to start the bottom of the ninth. Lee had the count at 2-2. Garcia’s 2-2 pitch was a fastball in on Lee that appeared to hit him on the back of his left hand.

Rangers’ catcher Kile Higashioka asked Home Plate Umpire Austin Jones to appeal down to Third Base Umpire Nestor Ceja. Ceja ruled that he went around, and Lee suffered a rough first out.

Replays then showed that the ball that hit the handle of Lee’s bat and not Lee himself, which means that it should have been a foul ball and Lee’s at-bat should still be alive. Crew Chief and First Base Umpire Todd Tichenor gathered the crew and then explained the call to the crowd.

What’s weird is that before the Rangers appealed down to third, they were the ones that would have wanted the ball to hit Lee’s bat. Now the Giants wanted that. However, since a non-hit by pitch call would not have originally benefited the Giants, they were not able to have the call reviewed according to Major League Baseball’s rules on replay.

The Giants essentially got burned and had to move on. While everything was going on, Bochy quietly brought in his closer, Luke Jackson. Jackson got Matt Chapman to ground out, and struck Wilmer Flores out to end it.

Nathan Evoldi got the win; Justin Verlander took his second loss to fall to 0-2; and Luke Jackson picked up his eighth save.

The Giants fall to 17-10, and despite their strong and exciting start, they have now weirdly been shut out for the fourth time this season, tying the Pirates for the most times shut out in Baseball. Even the best teams have their issues. The Giants have also struck out 240 times the season, the fourth-most in Baseball.

I’m not too worried about the shutouts. Weird things like that happen. However, the Giants do need to get the strikeouts down.

Saturday is Brandon Crawford day, and he will have his official retirement ceremony on the field prior to the game.

Then two undefeated pitchers will square off. Robbie Ray (3-0, 4.07 ERA) will take the ball for the Giants, and he will be opposed by Tyler Mahle (3-0, 0.68 ERA.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m PT, but with Crawford’s ceremony, that could be delayed, which is worth it.

A’s get to .500 with 6-5 Victory over Sox; Sac wins 7th of last ten games

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Chicago White Sox first baseman Andrew Vaughn (25) waits on the pick off throw as the Sacramento A’s runner Jacob Wilson (5) dives into first base in the bottom of the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento on Fri Apr 25, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Tony Renteria

The Sacramento Athletics (13-13) started the three game weekend stand with the visiting Chicago White Sox (6-20) but winning the first game of the three game home stand by the score of 6-5 on a cold West Sacramento Friday evening.

The home town ball club was able to even out their record at 13 wins and 13 losses to reach .500 for the first time this season.

Shortstop Jacob Wilson led the A’s with a three for four performance with home run and and two runs batted in. Tyler Soderstrom also added in three hits as well to help propel the A’s to victory.

The A’s are have gotten to the .500 with tough play and timely hitting as of late. They have started slow but have put in the work to go seven and three in the last ten games, as they sit in fourth place in the American League west.

The White Sox who maybe the worst team in Major League Baseball with a record of 6-20 really looked forward to playing the at Sutter Health Park who have had a losing record at home so far this season. Friday night win by the home town club has only proven that the Sox need to add talent and depth to compete on a Major league leave.

The A’s look to get above .500 Saturday 1:05pm PT as they again host the Sox in West Sacramento Saturday evening. The White Sox once again get to play in the most intimate ball park in the Major Leagues, will they be able to meet the challenge? The Sox will be starting RHP Jonathan Cannon (0-3 ERA 4.81) for the A’s LHP Jefferey Springs (3-2 ERA 5.64).

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson Fri Apr 25, 2025: A’s on roll after Texas series; Host White Sox tonight after sweeping them on last road trip

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Sacramento A’s first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) sprints for first base for his first Major League hit in the bottom of the first inning against the Texas Rangers on Wed Apr 23, 2025. The A’s took two out of three games from the Ranger’s on Thu Apr 25, 2025. (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 Sacramento A’s Luis Urias scored on a game winning run on Jacob Wilson’s single in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs as the A’s scored twice to walk off on the Texas Rangers 4-3 at Sutter Health Park on Thursday night.

#2 The A’s were down 3-2 in the ninth the A’s Max Schuemann walked with one out, Urias got a base hit to right center that Rangers center fielder Leody Taveras couldn’t handle for an error and it allowed Schuemann to score the tying run.

#3 The A’s Lawrence butler flew out and Wilson hit a 3-1 pitch for the base hit off Ranger closer Luke Jackson who drops his record 0-2 and Urias scores the game winner.

#4 The A’s have won some key games on the road come home and were 2-7 to open this series against the Rangers and end up taking two out of three against a solid first place club whose been predicted to be the American League representative for this year’s Fall Classic. The A’s made some noise in this last series.

#5 The A’s host the Chicago White Sox tonight at Sutter Health. The last time the A’s met the Sox it was in Chicago where the A’s swept the Sox in three games. The Sox are a struggling bunch at 6-19, their away record is 2-11 and have lost eight of their last ten games. The A’s are last in the Western Division at 12-13, 4-8 at home, and won six of their last ten games. Starting pitcher for Sox Friday night Sean Burke (1-3 ERA 6.23) for the A’s Luis Severino (1-3 ERA 3.31) fist pitch 7:05pm PDT.

Join Jeremiah for the A’s podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Wilson’s Heroics Lift A’s to 4-3 Walk-Off Win, First Home Series Victory

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Jacob Wilson celebrating after hitting the game winning RBI single in the A’s victory against the Rangers on Thursday night. (Photo: Athletics on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — Chris Caray said it best on the A’s TV broadcast: “The A’s have arrived in West Sacramento,” Caray declared as Jacob Wilson was mobbed in right-center field after singling home Luis Urías to give the Athletics a 4-3 walk-off win over the Rangers.

Not only was it the A’s first walk-off win in Sacramento, but it also marked their first series win at their new home ballpark since relocating from Oakland this spring.

While I might seem unimpressed with Wilson’s late-game heroics, nothing about the walk-off surprised me. In fact, just before the hit, I turned to media members in the press box and said, “This is exactly the guy you want up right here.” That, of course, turned out to be true.

Jacob Wilson was the perfect man for the moment. His elite bat-to-ball skills prepared him for exactly that situation. The A’s had tied the game earlier in the inning after a walk and an untimely error in center field set the table for Wilson. Then, after seeking out advice from manager Mark Kotsay—who told Wilson before the at-bat, “He’s going to stay with the breaking ball, it’s [Luke Jackson’s] best pitch, so stay on the breaking ball”—Wilson did just that, drilling the ball to center field to score the winning run.

It was a true team win for the A’s. As Kotsay said, “Overall it was a group effort tonight. We used everyone except for Pereda on the bench. We got the matchups the way we wanted… it just felt good from a team standpoint tonight to get a win and a series win against a good team that’s leading the division.”

For a moment, things got dicey in the fourth inning. A’s starter J.T. Ginn struggled and was only able to go three and two-thirds innings, giving up three home runs—the only scoring for the Rangers. Two of those came on back-to-back swings.

However, the A’s bullpen was the unsung hero of the night, delivering another scoreless performance across four and a third innings. Hogan Harris, recently recalled from Las Vegas, tossed two and a third scoreless frames to steady the game for the A’s. “Phenomenal job by those two,” Kotsay said of Harris and Holman. “For Hogan, getting optioned early—he easily could have gone down to Triple-A and not been happy… but he went down there and threw the ball really well.”

Other notable performances included Tyler Soderstrom, who finished 2-for-4 with a two-RBI double, and Gio Urshela, who stayed hot with a 3-for-3 night before being pinch-hit for in the ninth inning.

With the win, the A’s improve to 12-13 on the season.

Up Next: The A’s will stay home to host the Chicago White Sox for a three-game series beginning Friday night at 7:05 PM PST at Sutter Health Park. The A’s swept the White Sox last week in Chicago.

San Francisco Giants podcast Michael Duca Thu Apr 24, 2025: Giants win another comeback game against Brewers

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San Francisco Giants Mike Yastrzemski (right) is congratulated by third base coach Matt Williams (left) after hitting a third inning home run against the Milwaukee Brewers at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Thu Apr 24, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Michael Duca:

#1 For the third time in four days the the San Francisco Giants came back from behind late in the ball game and the Milwaukee Brewers furnished the mistakes that help the Giants win three out of the last four games.

#2 The Giants just edged out the Brewers on Friday 6-5. Brewers starter Tobias Myers who was making his Brewers debut and pitched in a short start. The Brewers reliever Tyler Alexander couldn’t hold the Brewer lead in the eighth inning as the Giants picked up two runs that proved to be the game winner.

#3 Giants starter Landon Roupp whose had a couple of good outings struggled in this one pitching 3.2 innings giving up six hits, four earned runs, walked three batters and struck out two. Michael kind of get your evaluation on Roupp’s outing today?

#4 In the eighth inning the Giants Mike Yastrzemski hit a into a fielders choice to second it allowed Tyler Fitzgerald to score tying the game at 5-5. Then Willy Adames hit a sacrifice fly that allowed Christian Koss to score which gave the Giants the 6-5 lead.

#5 For the second consecutive game Camilo Doval shut the door on the Brewers although he gave up one hit and left runners on at first and second Doval got three hitters to fly out and put away the game. For Doval it’s his fifth save. Do you see him coming back with more confidence in the relief role now?

#6 Next up for the Giants Bruce Bochy and the Texas Rangers. The Rangers took a tough loss in Sacramento to the Sacramento A’s on Wednesday night 5-2 the loss evened the series up between the two clubs. The Rangers are a first place club but can struggle on the road as they are 4-7 when away from Arlington. Starting pitchers for Friday at Oracle Park for the Rangers Nathan Eovaldi RHP (1-2 ERA 2.61) for the Giants RHP Justin Verlander who is looking for his first win after five appearances. Verlander (0-1 ERA 5.47) first pitch 7:15 pm PDT at Oracle Park.

Michael Duca does the San Francisco Giants podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants come back to win wacky thriller and series over Brewers 6-5

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San Francisco Giants Matt Chapman (right) is congratulated by teammate Jung Hoo Lee (51) after hitting a bottom of the fifth inning home run against the Milwaukee Brewers at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Thu Apr 24, 2025 (AP News photo)

Thursday, April 24, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Milwaukee Brewers 5 (13-13)

San Francisco Giants 6 (17-9)

Win: Tyler Rogers (2-0)

Loss: Tyler Alexander (1-2)

Save: Camilo Doval (5)

Time: 2:50

Attendance: 28,592

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–The Giants came out on top in a wacky and semi-wild series finale at Oracle Park on Thursday, as they picked up a dejected Landen Roupp, and came back to beat the Brewers and take the series with a big 6-5 win.

Landen Roupp led the Giants out onto the field on a gray and foggy day at the ballpark, and as this writer would describe it: a beautiful and tranquil day for baseball. Unfortunately, things didn’t start well for Roupp. He walked Brice Turang to start the game, and Sal Frelick singled to right to put runners at the corners with nobody out.

You know the old saying: When you come to the ballpark, you may see something you’ve never seen before. Christian Yelich came to the plate, and knocked in the first run of the game with a sacrifice fly to center field. However, Freclick was subsequently doubled off at first base, as he took off on the pitch and was all the way around second when the ball was caught by center-fielder Jung Hoo Lee. It was just your routine sacrifice double play.

It was very much a break for Roupp, who was getting hit hard. Rhys Hoskins and Jake Bauers both singled, but the double play allowed Roupp to get out of it without giving up more than one run.

On the mound for the Brewers was Tobias Myers, who was making his 2025 debut. As Steven Rissotto, the host of Rizzocast, and a producer for 95.7 The Game, noted, the Giants have tended to respond to the other team scoring, and that is exactly what they did in the bottom of the first.

Mike Yazstrzemski led off the inning with a base-hit to center and got to second on a balk when Myers tripped as he started his delivery from the set. Willy Adames grounded out, but Lee lined a double into the corner down the right field line to bring in Yaz and tie the game.

The Brewers got their lead right back, as Roupp’s struggles carried over into the second inning. It was actually quite simple. Garrett Mitchell walked to start the inning; stole second; got to third on a groundout; and scored on a wild pitch.

Mike Yastrzemski led off the bottom of the third, and he tied the game with a home run to the green tin atop the 24-foot-high Willie Mays wall in right. The Giants were in a great position to get their first lead of the day, as Adames and Lee walked, but Mitchell was able to wiggle his way out of it with the game still tied.

The Giants were unable to take the lead, and the Brewers made them pay in the top of the fourth. The Brewers had runners at the corners with one out for Eric Haase, who laid down a safety squeeze, but after Matt Chapman came in from third to field it, his throw was dropped by LaMonte Wade at first, and both runners scored to give Milwaukee a 4-2 lead.

Brice Turang singled Haase over to third, and up came Sal Frelick, who knocked in Haase with a chopper along the first base line to make it 5-2. Wade fielded the ball, and threw to second-baseman Tyler Fitzgerald, but Frelick was called safe by First Base Umpire Alex MacKay.

The Brewers had a 5-2 lead, and they had runners at first and second with one out. The Brewers were poised to blow this one open just as they did on Tuesday. However, the Giants challenged MacKay’s call at first, and it was overturned for a much-needed second out.

That did it for Roupp, and Bob Melvin brought in Spencer Bivens. Bivens’ first pitch to Christian Yelich was a cutter on the inside corner for a called strike, and Turang stole third. However, the Giants challenged the call by Third Base Umpire Brian Walsh, and the Giants were able to overturn back-to-back calls on back-to-back pitches for the final two outs of the inning.

That stymied the momentum for the Brewers, and eventually proved to be a massive turning point in this game.

The Giants were unable to do anything with a two-out rally in the bottom of the fourth, but they struck in the bottom of the fifth against Abner Uribe. Lee walked to lead off the inning, and Matt Chapman hit a two-run home run to right-center to send a message and make it 5-4.

The Brewers took their 5-4 lead into the bottom of the eighth, as they brought in their left-hander, Tyler Alexander. Tyler Fitzgerald worked a walk to start the inning, and Wilmer Flores pinch-hit and lined a base-hit the other way to right to put runners on the corners with nobody out.

Luis Matos grounded out, and then Yastrzemski fouled off three-straight two-strike pitches from Alexander. Yaz then hit a ground ball to Durang at second, who was playing in along with the rest of the Brewers’ infield. Fitzgerald came home, but Durang’s rushed throw was high, and Fitzgerald scored to tie the game.

Brewers Manager Pat Murphy brought in Trevor Megill to face Adames. Adames worked the count full, and then hit a line drive right to left-fielder Christian Yelich, who was trying to position himself to make the catch and make a throw home to cut pinch-runner Christian Koss at the plate. However, Yelich dropped the ball, and Koss scored to give the Giants their first lead of the day.

Following his emergency save last night, Camilo Doval was summoned by his skipper, Bob Melvin, to close things out again today. However, things did not start well for Doval, who walked pinch-hitter Caleb Durbin on four pitches to start the inning, and fell behind 2-0 to Turang.

You couldn’t help but harkin back to last season, when Doval, as the full-time closer, had his ninth inning implosions. Doval was once again entrusted with picking up the save, and he was once again about to implode.

We have already seen numerous examples early on of how different 2025 has been than 2024 for the Giants, and we were about to see it again. After Patrick Bailey, who had just entered the game to catch, went out to talk to Doval, Doval settled down to retire Turang and Frelick.

Up came Yelich, who lined a base-hit to center to move the tying run to second. It wasn’t going to be easy, but Doval got Rhys Hoskins to fly out to center, and everyone went home happy.

The Giants are back to their season-high eight games over .500 at 17-9. This was their eighth comeback win of the season, and their third win when trailing after seven innings.

Through all of the madness, it was Tyler Rogers who got the win. Tyler Alexander took the loss, and Camilo Doval notched his fifth save, tying Ryan Walker. However, Bob Melvin was quick to stress that Walker would still be the guy in a potential save situation Friday night.

Speaking of Friday night, Bruce Bochy’s Rangers are coming in for a 2010 World Series rematch, and it will be a weekend of old friends and memories. Former Giant Joc Pederson will also make the trip with the Rangers, but most importantly, Brandon Crawford will have his official retirement ceremony before the game on Saturday.

Justin Verlander (0-1. 5.47 ERA), who will remain on the opposite end of Bruce Bochy, will take the ball for the Giants Friday night, and look for his first win in the orange and black. The veteran right-hander, Nathan Evoldi (1-2, 2.64 ERA) will make the start for Texas.

First pitch will be at the accustomed Friday night time of 7:15 p.m.

San Francisco Giants podcast Morris Phillips Thu Apr 24, 2025: Giants four run sixth enough to get by Brewers 4-2

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San Francisco Giants second baseman Christian Koss (left) and shortstop Willy Adames (2) both jump for joy after the Giants defeated the Milwaukee Brewers at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Wed Apr 23, 2025 in game 3 of the four game series (San Francisco Giants X photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips:

#1  Wilmer Flores’ two run single helped the San Francisco Giants get back in the drivers seat scoring four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to defeat the Milwaukee Brewers 4-2 on Wednesday night.

#2 Jung Hoo Lee remained consistent at the plate with three hits and the Giants record against right handed pitching improved to 14-2 which leads Major League Baseball.

#3 The Giants starter Logan Webb improved his record to 3-1 and he out pitched Brewer starter Freddy Peralta who dropped his record to 2-2. Webb pitched 6.1 innings, striking out six batters, walking three and dropped his ERA to 1.98.

#4 Giants reliever Ryan Walker got into a base loaded jam and the Brewers were able to score two runs off Walker in the ninth. With the score 4-2 Giants reliever Camilo Doval came in and got the last two out and picked up his fourth save of the campaign.

#5 Game 4 concludes this series the Brewers will be going with starter RHP Tobias Myers (season debut) he’ll be matched up against RHP Landen Roupp (2-1 ERA 4.09) first pitch at 12:45pm PDT at Oracle Park.

Morris Phillips does the SF Giants podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Langeliers Goes 4-for-4, Kurtz Debuts as A’s Down Rangers 5-2

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Nick Kurtz after his first major league hit on Wednesday night. (Photo: Athletics on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — The A’s evened the series with the Texas Rangers on Wednesday evening at Sutter Health Park, powered in part by Nick Kurtz’s RBI single in his MLB debut, as they defeated the Rangers 5-2.

J.P. Sears earned the win for the A’s, tossing five innings of two-run ball while allowing five hits and striking out five. The loss went to Rangers starter Kumar Rocker, who was rocked by the A’s offense, giving up five runs on seven hits in just one and two-thirds innings.

The A’s bats got going early, batting through the order in the first inning and putting up four runs. Lawrence Butler immediately got the A’s on the board with a long solo home run to center field that traveled 425 feet, according to Statcast. The A’s quickly added to the lead as Shea Langeliers singled home Tyler Soderstrom, followed by Kurtz singling in Langeliers to make it 3-0. Gio Urshela capped the scoring in the inning with an RBI double, giving the A’s a 4-0 lead.

It was a welcome change for the A’s, who have often trailed early at home, to jump out to a fast start.

In the bottom of the second, the A’s scored again on a Jacob Wilson bases-loaded walk to make it a 5-0 ballgame. It was Wilson’s first walk of the 2025 season. The A’s wouldn’t score again, but they wouldn’t need to.

After Sears exited with a 5-2 lead, the A’s bullpen shut down the Rangers with four innings of shutout ball. Justin Sterner tossed a hitless sixth, Mitch Spence allowed one hit in a scoreless seventh, Tyler Ferguson delivered a clean eighth, and Mason Miller slammed the door in the ninth, striking out three and allowing just a two-out double. It was an electric performance from the A’s pen following Sears’ strong outing.

Langeliers led the A’s with a perfect 4-for-4 night, driving in a run and scoring once. Gio Urshela went 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI.

With the win, the A’s improved to 11-13 on the season and have a chance to take the series from the Rangers on Thursday.

Up Next: The A’s and Rangers face off in the rubber match on Thursday at 7:05 PM PST at Sutter Health Park. Jacob deGrom is slated to start for Texas, while J.T. Ginn is the probable for the A’s.