A’s Surprise Phillies In a Blow-Out, Winning Series and Game Three 18-3

Oakland A’s Brent Rooker slugs a top of the fourth inning two run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia on Sun Jul 14, 2024 (AP photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s (36-61) were looking to take a series off the best team in baseball, the Philadelphia Phillies (62-33) Sunday afternoon. The series was tied going into game three and the A’s had a little something for the Phillies.

When the dust had settled, Oakland came away with a 18-3 win. Lawrence Butler had a huge game with three home runs that brought 6 runs in. Collectively, Oakland had eight home runs in this game scoring in six frames.

Game recap: Philadelphia took an early 1-0 lead off a Trae Turner home run but the A’s had a little something that was brewing as this game went into the fourth inning. For most of the game the Phillies were merely spectators watching home runs sail out of their park.

In the fourth inning, Brent Rooker got the marathon going hitting a two-run home run taking the lead 2-1. Oakland went on a wild run for the next two innings. In the fifth inning the red-hot Lawrence Butler hit another two run home run with Max Schuemann on base taking a 4-1 lead.

There were more long balls coming for the A’s in the sixth inning. Rooker had his second home run of the game, a two-run homer with JJ Bleday on base taking a 6-1 lead. Seth Brown would add another run in the sixth, a solo home run and the A’s took a 7-1 lead into bottom of the inning. We all know how explosive the Phillies can be and so there would be no sitting back on this lead.

Philadelphia scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Bryson Stott sacrificed to left and both Alec Bohm and Bryce Harper scored on errors but still trailing 7-3.

There would be more home run action in the top of the seventh inning when Butler hit his second home run of the game with Schuemann on base extending their lead to 9-3. Rooker hit a sacrifice fly in the seventh driving Bleday home from third. Bleday had hit a triple in the inning.

Seth Brown came to the plate in the top of the eighth inning hitting a solo home run giving the A’s an 11-3 lead. This was great to see from Brown who had struggled in the first half of the season. The home run derby continued when Butler knocked a hat trick out of the park with Schuemann on base and Oakland was cruising to the tune of 13-3. Through eight innings the A’s had hit seven home runs and had 11 hits in this game.

Oakland was not finished and there would be another home run in the ninth inning to add to the collection of long balls. Zach Gelof wanted in on the action and went the distance with a grand slam. Brown had singled earlier in the inning driving Bleday home and Oakland had an insurmountable 18-3 lead. They were three outs away from annihilating the Philadelphia Phillies. They took this home, and what a way to go into the break. The final was 18-3.

The A’s hit eight home runs in the game and had 15 hits. Butler had another amazing game with the three home runs, and Rooker had a couple himself. Butler had three huge hits, Bleday had three hits and Brown also had three hits. The A’s had a blow-out win today and a series win over the best team in baseball showcasing some amazing offense.

Game notes: Sunday afternoon on the eve of All-Star week, the A’s took on the Phillies in the third game of their series. Oakland got a series win over the best team in baseball crushing the Phillies in game three of the series. The A’s got beaten Saturday by a significant margin 11-5 despite a rally in the ninth inning to tie up this series.

Joey Estes started the game for Oakland pitched six innings allowed four hits and two earned runs. The Phillies relief pitcher Orion Kerkering started going just one inning and went unscathed. with right-hander Michael Mercado operating in a bulk role pitched four innings allowed five hits and six runs. Zach Wheeler was scheduled to take the mound but Philadelphia decided to give their ace a little more rest after he experienced back tightness in his last game.

Oakland will now get a chance to relax and root on Mason Miller in the All-Star game. They will not see action until next Friday night when they take on the Los Angeles Angels in a three-game series at the Coliseum. Pitching assignments are still up in the air right now but first pitch is scheduled for 6:40 PM.

A’s Drop Game Two In Series With Philly 11-5

Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper (right) waves to the crowd after belting a home run in the bottom of the seventh inning at Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia as Oakland A’s catcher Shea Langeliers (left) looks on on Sat Jul 13, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

It was a given that the Philadelphia Phillies (62-33) would come into game two determined to even the series and that is exactly what they did. They beat the Oakland A’s (36-61) 11-5 but Oakland did put up a fight.

The A’s hung in this game until the Phillies broke it open in the eighth inning. The A’s had ten hits in this game with a couple of homers from Zach Gelof and Brent Rooker. It was the four home runs that the Phillies sent out of the park that made all the difference in the game.

Game recap: Oakland took the early lead in the second inning of the game 1-0. Seth Brown doubled Brent Rooker home and Oakland felt good about their start in this game. The A’s lead was short-lived in the same inning. The Phillies Nick Castellanos hit a long ball, a two run home run off a Mitch Spence pitch giving Philadelphia a 2-1 lead.

Zach Gelof tied up the game for Oakland with a 384 ft home run in the third inning 2-2. Again, the Phillies had the answer taking back the lead 3-2. Kyle Schwarber doubled to center and Garrett Stubbs scored.

The Phillies scored again in the fourth inning. They had scored runs in the second, third and fourth frames taking a 6-2 lead distancing themselves from Oakland. Johan Rojas hit a solo home run and another long ball from Trea Turner followed, a two run home run, and Philadelphia was coasting.

Mitch Spence pitched through 3.2 innings before being pulled and relieved by Tyler Ferguson. He allowed five hits, six earned runs, five walks with six strikeouts. Ferguson went 1.1 innings with some great work allowing no hits, no runs with three strikeouts. Scott Alexander relieved him in the sixth inning with much the same success with no hits and no runs.

The A’s would inch a bit closer when Brent Rooker hit a 416 foot bullet to center in the seventh inning and Oakland trailed by the score of 6-3. Oakland continued to rally putting two runners on base, Shea Langeliers on third, Daz Cameron on first with one out and Brett Harris at the plate. Harris delivered, Langeliers scored and the A’s added another run 6-4 going into the bottom of the seventh inning.

The Phillies added to their lead with a solo shot from Bryce Harper in the bottom of the seventh inning. Going into the eighth inning, the A’s had a lot of work to do.

Oakland put two runners on base in the eighth inning with two outs and Seth Brown at the plate. Earlier in the game Brown missed hitting a home run by the narrowest of margins and unfortunately he struck out and it was on to the bottom of the eighth inning.

The Phillies loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning. Unfortunately A’s pitcher Michel Otanez took a horrible hit to the forearm when a Trea Turner shot smoked him. He was forced to leave the game and T.J. McFarland took over on the mound.

The dangerous Bryce Harper came to the plate hitting a double and both Garrett Stubbs and Kyle Schwarber scored. The Phillies had broken this game wide open. Two more runs came in and when the dust had settled, the Phillies had a 11-4 lead going into the top of the ninth inning.

The A’s had a bit of a late rally in the ninth inning. Brett Harris had a single in the inning and Miguel Andujar also singled. Zach Gelof walked followed by a JJ Bleday walk loading the bases. Brent Rooker came to the plate and a home run would have been sweet indeed but did not come to be as he struck out. The A’s finished the game with ten hits losing the game 11-5.

Game notes: The A’s against the league leading Phillies dropped game one of this three game at Citizens Bank Ballpark on Friday night. The Phillies took the early lead in game one, the A’s came around in the third inning with three runs and never looked back. The A’s had to play well offensively and defensively in game one and they did not disappoint.

They won Friday’s game 6-2 with some great at-bats which included a Lawrence Butler two run home run in the eighth. There was some great work on the mound by starter Hogan Harris and the relief core which also contributed to this win.

It was a given that Philadelphia would come out very grumpy in game two Saturday after losing Friday’s game to open the series.

Oakland’s Mitch Spence was the starter Saturday going 3.2 innings allowing five hits and six runs. The Phillies starter Tyler Phillips went six innings, allowing six hits and four earned runs. The A’s were looking to take game two and the lead in the series from the best team in baseball. That would have been an ideal scenario for Oakland going into the All-Star break now the series is tied 1-1 going into Sunday.

Game three will be played Sunday with first pitch scheduled for 10:35 AM to finish off the series before the All-Star break. Joey Estes will take the mound for Oakland with a 3-4 win-loss record and a 5.53 ERA.

Estes had a rough outing last Tuesday against the Red Sox only going 1.2 innings allowing seven hits and eight earned runs. Estes will be looking for an improved effort on the mound. Right now the Phillies are undecided as to who will start in the rubber game of this series.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Giants open 3 game series with Yankees Friday; SF wins 3 game set from Phils

Philadelphia Phillies Nick Castellanos clubs his 7th home run of the season a two run blast in the top of the fifth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Thu May 29, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 The Philadelphia Phillies Nick Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber connected for home runs against the San Francisco Giants in a 6-1 win at Oracle Park in Thursday afternoon. Those are two hitters you have to pitch very carefully to as the Giants found out.

#2 Things got a little testy in the top of the fourth inning when the Philadelphia Phillies Bryce Harper got out of the way of a second inside pitch that was around the head area by Giants pitcher Kyle Harrison. The first pitch by Harrison to Harper was an inside pitch that was a fast ball. After the second pitch offering both benches emptied and there was a lot of milling around the infield but no punches thrown. No ejections but warnings to both benches were issued.

#3 Castellano was having himself an afternoon against the Giants adding a double and a single. Kyle Schwarber’s home run was his 11th of the season.

#4 Giants starter Kyle Harrison started and pitched five innings, gave up 12 hits and four runs and five strike outs. Do you think that Harrison might have thrown at Harper out of frustration that Harrison was getting hit pretty good?

#5 Up next for the Giants they’ll host the New York Yankees opening up the series on Friday night. No starting pitcher has been announced as of yet by manager Aaron Boone. The Giants will start RHP Jordan Hicks (4-1 ERA 2.33) How do you see this match up and this series?

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

Benches empty after pitch comes close to Harper’s face; Phillies avoid sweep defeat Giants 6-1

Philadelphia Phillies hitter Bryce Harper avoids getting hit as the ball hits the knob of his bat in the top of the fourth inning from a pitch thrown by San Francisco Giants starter Kyle Harrison at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Thu May 29, 2024 (AP News photo)

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Philadelphia Phillies 6 (39-18)

San Francisco Giants 1 (29-28)

Win: Christopher Sanchez (3-3)

Loss: Kyle Harrison (4-2)

Time: 2:38

Attendance: 31,763

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–The Giants were unable to get the sweep, as Kyle Harrison gave up 12 hits over five innings of work, and the Phillies were able to salvage a game in this series with a 6-1 win.

Following Tuesday night’s 10-inning 1-0 win to take the series against the Phillies, the Giants had a chance to sweep the best team in baseball with a win Wednesday. The Giants had their young left-hander, Kyle Harrison, on the mound today for this sunny, cloudless but hazy Wednesday afternoon affair in San Francisco, and they had every reason to feel good about their chances today, as they came into today 9-2 in Harrison’s starts.

Kyle Schwarber greeted Harrison with a rude welcome, as he hit a home run to left-center field to start the game. Harrison then proceeded to retire the side in order.

It would be a matchup of left-handers, as the Phillies sent Christopher Sanchez to the hill. Marco Luciano reached base when he hit a weak ground ball between the mound and the third base line, and Sanchez threw the ball past first-baseman Bryce Harper down the right field line. Luciano advanced to second on a ground out by Thairo Estrada, but Matt Chapman flew out to center to end the inning.

Harrison ran into trouble in the top of the second, as Nick Castellanos and Bryson Stott started the inning with singles. Whit Merrifield flew out to right, and Garrett Stubbs hit a bullet to Thairo Estrada at second for the second out.

That brought up the ninth-place hitter, Cristian Pache, who was hitting .196 coming into Wednesday’s game. It appeared that Harrison was going to get out of the inning, but Pache hit a ground ball that found its way into left field for a base-hit. Castellanos was waived in, and the throw from Heliot Ramos in left was not his strongest, as Castellanos scored to make it a 2-0 game.

The Giants were unable to do anything with a leadoff base-hit by Wilmer Flores in the bottom of the second, and Harrison found himself back in trouble with two outs in the top of the third. Castellanos doubled, and then Stott reached on an infield hit to short on what seemed to be a lack of effort by shortstop Marco Luciano.

Harrison got Merrifield to line out to right to escape the inning without any damage. As for Luciano, Manager Bob Melvin had Brett Wisely pinch-hit for him in the bottom of the third, as Luciano’s lackadaisical effort on Stott’s ground ball stemmed from a strained right hamstring that sustained while running to first base back in the first inning.

Wisely and Estrada both singled with two outs, and Chapman walked to load the bases, but the Giants wasted the opportunity, as Flores struck out swinging to end the inning.

The fourth inning would be interesting to say the least. Harrison was once again in trouble, as Bryce Harper came up with two outs and two runners on base. With the count at 1-2, Harrison threw a fastball up and in to Harper that Harper took umbrage to, as he had some words for Harrison.

The next pitch was also up and in and clipped Harper’s bat. Harper did not have much of a reaction, but the fact that he had another pitch up and in following the previous one caused the benches to empty. The Phillies basically had to exit their dugout to show that they had Harper’s bat, and same with the Giants and Harrison. Other than a bit of pushing and shoving, nothing too severe happened, and nobody was ejected.

“At that point, we’re still in the game and not trying to escalate anything,” said Manager Curt Casali. “There [was] no intent. Bryce has a history of being hit in the face, and I get the frustration, but I think we de-escalated it very very quickly. I went right over to him, and [I asked, ‘are you okay?’ He said ‘yes, I know you weren’t trying to go in there.’”

Harper acknowledged that neither pitch was intentional and that he had an emotional reaction.

“[Harrison] didn’t mean to [do it],” said Harper. “I wasn’t really that mad.”

“I’ll give Bryce some credit,” continued Casali. “He got upset, but he immediately calmed down. He wasn’t looking for a fight; he just reacted…..It’s scary when you get a ball in your face. I understand where he’s coming from. To his credit, I think after [his] reaction, I think he handled it really really well. I think he handled it like a pro. I gotta give some respect to him on that one.”

It was a coincidence that this happened on the seventh anniversary of Harper’s brawl with Hunter Strickland. Thankfully, today’s situation was nowhere near as severe as what happened in 2017, Harper ended up grounding out to short to end the inning.

The Giants went down scoreless in the bottom of the fourth, as Sanchez took comment. Harrison escaped trouble in the second, third and fourth unscathed, but he would not be so lucky in the top of the fifth. Bohm led off the inning with a double, and Castellanos hit an opposite-field home run to left that hit off the glove of Heliot Ramos just over the wall. That made it 4-0 Phillies, and after Harrison escaped further damage later in the inning, his day was done.

Harrison’s command has always been an indicator of how he’ll do, and while he only walked one better today, it was still not good. The Phillies also made a lot of hard contact off him. The most stinging stat is that the Phillies got 12 hits in just five innings against Harrison.

“[I’m] pissed off,” said Harrison. “Any time you look up and see [you’ve allowed] 12 hits, it’s not a good day.”

Sanchez proceeded to pitch a shutdown 1-2-3 bottom of the fifth. Luke Jackson relieved Harrison in the top of the sixth and pitched two perfect innings. Sanchez pitched another 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the sixth to put a cap on his afternoon, and Gregory Soto followed that up with a quick and scoreless bottom of the seventh for Philadelphia.

Randy Rodriguez, who has pitched well as of late for the Giants, came in for the eighth, but his fortunes took a dip Wednesday. Schwarber and Harper each knocked in runs with base-hits to pretty much put the game away, as the Phillies opened up their lead to 6-0.

Seranthony Dominguez pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the eighth for Philadelphia, and submariner Tyler Rogers pitched a 1-2-3 top of the ninth for the Giants.

The Giants were able to get on the board off Spencer Turnball in the bottom of the ninth, as Flores doubled, and Ramos singled him in, but that would be it. Trenton Brooks pinch-hit for Tyler Fitzgerald and grounded out to first to end the game.

Sanchez got the win, and Harrison took just his second loss of the season. The Giants fall to 29-28, as they were unable to complete the sweep, but the fact that they were able to take two out of three against the best team in baseball is no small accomplishment.

The Giants will have a day off Thursday, and then they will welcome the New York Yankees to Oracle Park for a three-game series starting Friday night. It will be the Yankees’ first trip to San Francisco since they swept the Giants from April 26-28, 2019. The Yankees have not announced a starter yet and the Giants will start Jordan Hicks, and first pitch will be at 7:15 p.m.

News and Notes:

Marco Luciano is expected to be day to day with his strained right hamstring. He should be reevaluated no later than Friday.

Jung-hoo Lee is expected to have his operation on his dislocated left shoulder next Monday, June 3.

Giants Matos’ walk off sac fly wins it in extras for 1-0 shutout of Phillies

San Francisco Giants Luis Matos whacks a fly to left field that scored ghost runner Tyler Fitzgerald from third base in the bottom of the tenth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

Philadelphia (38-18). 000 000 000 0. 0 7 0

San Francisco (29-27). 000 000 000 1. 1 4 0. 10 innings

Time: 2:32

Attendance: 34,653

Tuesday, May 8, 2024

By Lewis Rubman

SAN FRANCISCO–Thrilling as it was, the Giants’ 1-0 10 inning triumph over the Philadelphia Phillies at Oracle Park Tuesday night was less significant that what occurred in medical examination rooms and the Giants’ front office.

LaMonte Wade, Jr., who aggravated his left hamstring strain running out a double last night, was placed on the 10 day injured list, but imaging showed that he had a grade two strain, making his placement on the 30 day list inevitable.

The probable month long loss of Wade, arguably the Giants most reliable hitter and a steady presence at first base, reverberates against the season-long loss of the sparkplug Jung-Hoo Lee, who is awaiting surgery on his dislocated shoulder.

But those weren’t the only transactions of note that came down today. The Giants promoted three players from Sacramento. Trenton Brooks, a career minor leaguer who was hitting .308 in the hitter friendly PCL yesterday, was playing first base and batting in the ninth position when the orange and black took the field this evening.

Spencer Howard, a right handed pitcher who throws a sinker, cutter, change of pace, and knuckle curve, got a break and pitched four innings of shutout ball in the show Tuesday night. Tyler Fitzgerald, who had played in 22 games for the Giants earlier this season and was the most recent PCL Player of the Week, joined the caravan of River Cats down I-80 to McCovey Cove and scored the winning run.

San Francisco also designated two players for assignment, the well paid and unused veteran hurler Drew Pomeranz and outfielder Ryan McKenna.

Here’s a little more detail about the newcomers fared tonight. Brooks went hitless in four at bats, striking out once. Howard surrendered four hits and struck out four batters in his effective four innings on the mound, throwing 49 pitches, 36 for strikes.

Fitzgerald entered the game as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the eighth, when he walked. He struck out in the ninth and was the zombie runner whom Luis Matos drove in with his game winning sacrifice fly in the tenth.

The Giants used five pitchers to shut Philadelphia out in this bullpen game, opening with Erik Miller, who left after an inning. Then came Taylor Rogers. He stuck around for two frames, followed by Alexander, who kept Philadelphia off the board in the fourth through seventh frames.

Ty Rogers gave up a hit in the one inning he pitched, the eighth. Sean Hjelle, who got the win, and now is 2-1, 2.95, put the Phils down. in order in the ninth, and didn’t let the ghost runner get past third in the tenth.

Philadelphia’s starting pitcher, Zack Wheeler, a veteran of 10 major league campaigns and last years Gold Glove winner in the. National League, pitched six strong innings, in which he allowed only two hits and an equal number of walks while striking out nine of the 21 Giants he faced.

Orion Kerkering and José Alvarado each pitched a hitless inning, although the latter issued a pair of bases on balls. Jeff Hoffman gave up a couple of hits, one a broken bat single by Thairo Estrada, but emerged unscathed. Matt Strahm, who took the loss, issued an intentional walk, but managed to lose in the one scoring inning of the entire night. Here’s how it came down:

Fitzgerald was placed on second. The Phillies chose to grant Héliot Ramos an intentional pass to set up a double play. It was the standard move in situations like this. It backfired. WilmerFlores, who had entered the game a pinch hitter in the eighth, flew out to center, deep enough to let Fitzgerald advance to third. Matos then few out to medium deep left, deep enough for Fitzgerald to beat the throw home and give the Giants a tremendous victory

Wednesday Matinee, will see the final duel between these two teams, barring a playoff encounter Kyle Harrison (4-1, 3.90) will face off against the Fighting Phillies from the City of Brotherly Love’s Cristopher Sánchez (2-3, 3.15) at 12:45pm PT.

San Francisco Giants game wrap: Snell struggles again in no decision against Phillies; SF makes another comeback in 8-4 win

San Francisco Giants starter Blake Snell delivers to the Philadelphia Phillies line up in the top of the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Mon May 27. 2024 (AP News photo)

Philadelphia (38-17). 002 200 000 4 7 3

San Francisco 28-27). 030 021 20x. 8 12. 1

Time: 2:44

Attendance: 40,598

Monday, May 27, 2024

By Lewis Rubman

SAN FRANCISCO–We’re only about a third of the way through the season, so to consider any series critical at this juncture would not only be premature; it would border on the melodramatic. Nonetheless, the Giants’ 8-4 win this afternoon before a sellout crowd of 40,598 was important because it came at the expense of the team with the best winning percentage in the major leagues–.704 at game, .691 after it.

San Francisco had just completed a six game trip to Pittsburgh and New York and, in spite of Sunday’s disappointing loss to the Mets, was 8-2 in its last 10 games. The team’s decisive victory in the first of a three game series indicated that the Giants are, indeed, contenders but also left some serious doubts about their chances. Those doubts centered around Cy Young award winner Blake Snell.

This cool, sunny, and–it goes without saying–breezy Memorial Day afternoon, gave us a chance to see if, after long last, Snell had overcome the negative effects his extended off-season, groin injuries, and paternity leave that had sent him to the mound at 0-3, 11.40, and a distressing WHIP of 2.07. His performance Sunday indicated that he hadn’t.

Snell lasted a mere four innings and threw 90 pitches in them. He allowed four runs, three of them earned, on five hits and two walks, while striking out seven on the way to a no decision that left him at 0-3, 10.42 with a WHIP of 2.00. Randy Rodríguez, who earned his first major league win, replaced him at the start of the Philly fifth.

Snell’s counterpart for Philadelphia, Taijuan Walker, brought an impressive 3-0 won-lost record to this, his 200th career start. His ERA also was impressive but in a dissonant way; it was 5.06. He wasn’t impressive today, yielding a half a dozen runs, five of them earned, on nine hits and two walks. Of his 98 offerings, 65 were considered strikes. The loss left him at 3-1,6.51

The Phillies hit Snell hard in the first, including JT Realmuto’s one out double off the 399 foot marker in front of the Giants’ bullpen that extended his hitting streak to 16 and Alec Boh Bohm’s inning ending line out to Héctor Ramos in left.

The Giants did more against Walker than just threaten. They tattooed him. Matt Chapman opened the second with a walk and moved up a base on Patrick Bailey’s single to right. After Jorge Soler flew out to center, Mike Yastrzemski lashed a two bagger into the right field corner, driving in Chapman and Bailey. The offensive paused when Ramos took a called third strike but resumed with Brett Wisely’s RBI single to center. When the dust had settled, the home team led, 3-0.

That didn’t last long. Kyele Schwarber’s 10th home run of the year, which flew over the State Farm advertisement embedded in the right field wall in the top of the third, closed the gap to 3-2. A nice running catch by Yastrzemski of Bohm’s fly to right center kept things from getting out of hand.

That happened in their next turn at bat. Edmundo Sosa socked a triple to base of the center field fence and scored on Snell’s wild pitch to Whit Merrifield. Chapman’s error when he couldn’t pick up Merrifield’s hopping ground ball allowed the Phillies’ second sacker to reach first and then steal his way into scoring position.

Johan Rojas then dumped a single into center, Merrifield scored, and Philadelphia had grabbed a 4-3 lead. It could have been worse; Schwarber drew a walk and then. combined with Rojas to pull off a double steal before Realmuto whiffed for the final out of the frame.

The Giants grabbed the lead back in their half of the fifth, thanks, in part, to some bad fielding. Matos beat out a bad throw by third baseman Bohm on a tough play that was scored as a hit. LaMonte Wade, Jr. whacked a double off the left edge of the State Farm sign in right center to put two runners in scoring position.

It was a pyrrhic victory; Wade aggravated the hamstring injury from which he had been recovering. Wilmer Flores pinch ran for him and remained in the game to play first. Estrada followed Wade’s double with a hot shot to third that Bohm couldn’t handle and which let Flores move up 90 feet. He scored on Bailey’s sac fly to left.

San Francisco tacked on another tally in the sixth on a walk to Yastrzemski and Wisely’s double off the Visa advertisement in right center. That gave Erik Miller a 6-4 lead when he came in to pitch the top of the seventh. He retired Rojas quickly and then got Schwarber to lift a pop up in front of the plate.

Miller, Flores, and Chapman converged on the ball, which fell between them for a sun and wind aided infield single. Then Miller retired the dangerous Realmuto. and Harper to put an end to that uprising.

Walker didn’t come out for the home half of the seventh; José Ruíz did and was the victim of fielding that was worthy of the 1962 Mets. Errors by Bohm (yes, him again) and Merrifield, along with Estrada’s infield single and Ramos’s safety to center, upped the Giants’ advantage to 8-4.

Matt Strahm replaced Walker to pitch the bottom of the eighth, which was uneventful except for Estrada’s shot down the third base line that ate up Bohn and went into left for a two out double.

Camilo Doval allowed a double off the National Car Rental ad in left field to close out the game.

The Giants, who were swept earlier this month in their four game visit to the City of Brotherly Love, have a chance to clinch the current series Tuesday. The Giants haven’t yet announced who will start. Philadelphia will go with Zack Wheeler (6-3, 2.53). Game time will be 6:45pm PT.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Giants back at Oracle to face mighty Phillies today

San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb (62) can’t handle the throw to him covering first base trying to retire the New York Mets DJ Stewart (29) in the bottom of the second inning at Citi Field in New York on Sun May 26, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the SF Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic:

#1 The San Francisco Giants didn’t end their road trip in New York the way they planned after taking the first two games of the series the Giants buckled in the ninth inning when reliver Tyler Rogers gave up three earned runs in a one run 4-3 loss.

#2 The Giants to start out the contest got good pitching from starter Logan Webb who went seven innings, gave up three hits, a walk and eight strike outs.

#3 It was the Met’s Omar Narvaez who got his first home run this season that was the difference in the three run ninth for the one run win.

#4 For Narvaez it was not only his first home run of the season but it took him going 0-27 for him to get his first hit and help end the Mets five game losing streak.

#5 The Giants tasks get even more challenging as they take on the visiting Philadelphia Phillies for a three game series that starts on Monday Memorial day at Oracle Park in San Francisco. For Philadelphia RHP Taijuan Walker (3-0, ERA 5.06) for San Francisco Blake Snell (0-3, ERA 11.40) first pitch at 2:05pm PT.

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

San Francisco Giants podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Giants open three game series in Colorado tonight

On the SF Giants podcast with Stephen:

#1 Stephen, The San Francisco Giants were swept in four games at Citizens Bank in Philadelphia by the Philadelphia Phillies Monday and it wasn’t close in a a five run 6-1 loss for San Francisco.

#2 The Phillies got some offense as superstar slugger Bryce Harper took Giants pitching deep with a three run home run off Giants rookie pitcher Mason Black in the bottom of the fifth inning to extend Harper’s hit streak to 19.

#3 The Phillies got some pitching as well from Zack Wheeler who sat down 11 Giant hitters on strike outs in seven innings of work. When your dealing like that and keeping guys off balance it’s difficult to get some kind of rhythm going and for the Giants line up Wheeler was just a mystery.

#4 For Black he made his big league appearance in front of family and friends who come from the Philadelphia area was able to get a 1-2-3 inning against the Phils in the first inning which included striking out Harper on a 88 MPH change up but that all changed later when the Phillies touched up Black for eight hits and five runs in 4.1 innings of work.

#5 The Giants continue their road trip and head to the Rocky Mountains to battle the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night at Coors Field in Denver for the first of a three game series. Starting pitcher for the Giants LHP Kyle Harrison (2-1, ERA 3.79) and for the Rockies RHP Dakota Hudson (0-5, ERA 5.93) first pitch 5:40pm PDT.

Stephen Ruderman is a staff beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Phils Harper on tear homers and extends hit streak to 19; Wheeler K’s 11; Giants swept in 4 games Philadelphia

San Francisco Giants pitcher Mason Black pitched in his Major League debut against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia on Mon May 6, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the SF Giants podcast with Marko:

#1 Marko, The San Francisco Giants were swept in four games at Citizens Bank in Philadelphia by the Philadelphia Phillies Monday and it wasn’t close in a a five run 6-1 loss for San Francisco.

#2 The Phillies got some offense as superstar slugger Bryce Harper took Giants pitching deep with a three run home run off Giants rookie pitcher Mason Black in the bottom of the fifth inning to extend Harper’s hit streak to 19.

#3 The Phillies got some pitching as well from Zack Wheeler who sat down 11 Giant hitters on strike outs in seven innings of work. When your dealing like that and keeping guys off balance it’s difficult to get some kind of rhythm going and for the Giants line up Wheeler was just a mystery.

#4 For Black he made his big league appearance in front of family and friends who come from the Philadelphia area was able to get a 1-2-3 inning against the Phils in the first inning which included striking out Harper on a 88 MPH change up but that all changed later when the Phillies touched up Black for eight hits and five run in 4.1 innings of work.

#5 The Giants continue their road trip and head to the Rocky Mountains to battle the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night at Coors Field in Denver for the first of a three game series. Starting pitcher for the Giants LHP Kyle Harrison (2-1, ERA 3.79) and for the Rockies RHP Dakota Hudson (0-5, ERA 5.93) first pitch 5:40pm PDT.

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

Harper belts 3 run homer extends hit streak to 18 games as Phils edge Giants 5-4 at Citizens Bank

Philadelphia Phillies slugger Bryce Harper acknowledges the Citizens Bank crowd in Philadelphia after hitting a third inning home run off San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb that landed in the Phillies bullpen on Sun May 5, 2024 (AP News photo)

Sunday, May 5, 2024

Citizens Bank Park

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

San Francisco Giants 4 (15-20)

Philadelphia Phillies 5 (24-11)

Win: Taijuan Walker (2-0)

Loss: Logan Webb (3-3)

Save: Jose Alvarado (7)

Time: 2:45

Attendance: 41,058

By Stephen Ruderman

The Phillies beat the Giants for the third-straight night, as they got to Logan Webb for four runs in the bottom of the third inning, and while the Giants got back into it to make it a close game, the Phillies held on to win it by a final of 5-4.

After the Giants wasted a couple of golden opportunities and lost the opener of the series Friday night, the Phillies absolutely annihilated them Saturday night 14-3. Saturday night, the Giants sent their ace, Logan Webb to the mound on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball to try and get their first win of this series.

Following a rocky spring and a so-so start to his season, Webb had a pair of dominant outings on the Giants’ homestand and seemed to finally be in a groove. However, he struggled in his start this past Tuesday night at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox, as he gave up four runs and nine hits over just three and two-thirds innings of work.

The Phillies went with Taijun Walker, whom the Giants got to for a run in the top of the first inning. With two outs and LaMonte Wade on first base, Michael Conforto hit an opposite-field double to left field to put the Giants on the board. Webb responded with a 1-2-3 bottom of the first.

The second inning would prove to be the opposite of the first. Walker set the Giants down 1-2-3 in the top of the second, and Logan Webb ran into trouble in the bottom of the second after Alec Bohm reached and advanced to second base on a throwing shortstop Nick Ahmed to start the inning.

Brandon Marsh got Bohm to third on a ground out to second, and Nick Castellanos struck out swinging, as Webb had a chance to get out of the inning unscathed. However, Webb walked Bryson Stott, who ended up stealing second, and Edmundo Sosa reached on a broken-bat single to second, which knocked in Bohm to tie the game.

The Giants went down scoreless in the top of the third, and the Phillies were right back at it in the bottom of the third with the top of the order up. Kyle Schwarber walked; J.T. Realmuto lined a single up the middle and into center field; and Bryce Harper hit a three-run home run that just cleared the wall in right-center to put the Phillies up 4-1.

Webb retired the next two batters, but Nick Castellanos lined a base-hit to left and stole second. That brought up Bryson Stott, who lined a double to left to knock in Castellanos, and that extended the Phillies’ lead to 5-1.

The Giants’ offense, who had been held to three runs or less in nine-straight games coming into tonight, had their work cut out for them, but they continued to flounder, as Walker set them down 1-2-3 in the top of the fourth.

Webb set down the first two men he faced in the bottom of the fourth, but he ran into more trouble after Realmuto reached on an infield hit and Michael Conforto dropped a fly ball in left off the bat of Harper. Webb struck Bohm out swinging, but that would be all for the Giants’ ace.

Other than the four-run bottom of the third inning, Webb was actually fine, as he dealt with a couple bad breaks. He would’ve had a 1-2-3 inning in the second had it not been for the error by Ahmed, he got screwed in the fourth with the bad-luck broken bat single and the dropped fly ball by Conforto.

Walker hit Thairo Estrada to start the fifth, but then retired the side in order. Sean Hjelle came in for Webb and survived a leadoff base-hit by Brandon Marsh.

Both pitchers pitched scoreless innings again in the sixth, but the Giants finally had some action against Walker in the top of the seventh. Mike Yastrzemski reached on an infield hit with one out, and then Thairo Estrada, who was hit by a pitch his last time up, hit a two-run bomb to left to cut the Giants’ deficit to 5-3.

Estrada’s home run ended the night for Taijuan Walker, who was replaced by Gregory Soto. Soto hit Austin Slater and then walked Nick Ahmed to put runners at first and second with one out. The Giants had another golden opportunity, but they once again wasted it, as Jung-hoo lee popped out to second, and Wade grounded to third for a fielder’s choice to end the inning.

Left-hander Taylor Rogers was summoned for the bottom of the seventh and was able to escape a leadoff double by Alec Bohm unharmed.

Jeff Hoffman came in for the Phillies in the eighth, and Michael Conforto tripled with one out on a ball that went off the glove of center-fielder John Rojas. The Giants once again had a golden opportunity, but of course, the Giants once again wasted a golden opportunity, as Matt Chapman and Yastrzemski both struck out swinging to end the inning.

Ryan Walker threw a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the eighth for the Giants, and the Phillies brought in their closer, Jose Alvarado, for the ninth. Catcher Jakson Reetz, whom the Giants called up prior to the game, blasted one out to left with one out to make it 5-4.

Sunday night was the first time since April 23 that the Giants had scored four runs in a game. The Giants were hoping it would spark something, but it didn’t. Nick Ahmed struck out swinging, and Lee flew out to right to end it.

Taijuan Walker got the win; Webb got he Loss; and Alvarado picked up his seventh save. With this loss, the Giants have now dropped five of their last six, and they fall to a new season-high—or shall I say low—five games under .500 at 15-20.

The Giants were able to salvage a game in Boston, and they will hope to do the same Monday. The Giants will send young right-hander Mason Black to the mound to make his major league debut, and he will be opposed by former Giants’ farmhand Zack Wheeler. First pitch will be at 4:05 p.m. in Philadelphia, 1:05 p.m. back home in San Francisco.

News and Notes:

Tom Murphy was indeed placed on the 10-Day Injured List with a left knee sprain after he hurt himself chasing a wild pitch by Mitch White last night.

Jakson Reetz, who was called up to replace Murphy on the roster, and who hit the home run in the ninth had an interesting story.

Reetz was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the third round in 2014, but it took him seven years to reach the majors. He finally made his major league debut for the Nationals on July 10, 2021 against the Giants in San Francisco. He doubled in his first major league at-bat in the ninth inning of that game against John Brebbia, and then flew out to left in the seventh inning the next day.

However, Reetz was sent back down to the minors, and he bounced around in the Brewers’ and Royals’ farm systems before signing a minor league deal with the Giants last season. Reetz finally got the call back up tonight, and going 2-for-3 with a double and a home run in three major league games over three seasons, not too shabby.

Mitch White was designated for assignment, and Daulton Jefferies was called back up.