San Francisco Giants game wrap: Giants Get Swept By Red Sox After Taking Early Lead 5-4

The bat of the Boston Red Sox Wilson Contreas (right) just misses San Francisco Giants catcher Andrew Knizner (left) in the bottom of the third inning at Fenway Park in Boston (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Sunday afternoon the San Francisco Giants (52-77) finished up their series with the Boston Red Sox (70-59) looking to avoid being swept. Once again the Giants took an early lead scoring two runs in the first inning.

They would score another run in the top of the second taking a 3-0 lead when Jonah Cox hit a solo homer. The Red Sox began to make their move in the bottom of the second inning scoring a run off a Nick Sogard long ball and the score was 3-1.

Boston struck again in the third inning scoring another run and the San Francisco lead was in jeopardy the score now 3-2. The fourth inning was disastrous for Giants starting pitcher Matt Wilkinson who had already given up three runs and now giving another couple of doubles and the tying run in the game.

With the score tied at three JT Brubaker relieved Wilkinson only to allow two more Red Sox runs. Boston took the 5-3 lead into the seventh inning. San Francisco scored a run in the seventh inning and trailed by a single run 5-4 but did not threaten again.

They were unable to tie up this game in the eighth inning. They went three and out in the ninth inning. Aroldis Chapman who is having an excellent season had yet another win under his belt with Sunday’s save in the top of the ninth inning. With the 5-4 win, the Red Sox had swept the series. Boston now trails the Yankees by three games in the American League East.

GAME RECAP

The San Giants got another nice start in game three of their series with the Boston Red Sox. Rafael Devers walked and advanced to third on a Willy Adames single. Bryce Eldridge also singled and drove Devers home for the first run of the game.

Victor Bericoto singled and the Giants were having a very productive first inning. The Bericoto single drove in Adames and San Francisco had a 2-0 lead. Matt Wilkinson got his second start in this game after a great start last week. He struggled to start giving up two singles but Boston was unable to score leaving the two runners stranded.

The Giants Jonah Cox homered to start the second inning and San Francisco had a 3-0 lead going into the bottom of the third. The Red Sox forged their comeback starting in the bottom of the inning with a Nick Sogard home run cutting the Giants lead to 3-1.

San Francisco got very little offense in the top of the third inning. Boston continued their rally in the bottom of the inning. Jahmai Jones tripled and a Ceddanne Rafaela single drove Jones home for a second run and with the score 3-2 things got a bit uncomfortable for the Giants. Giants starting pitcher Wilkinson started to struggle giving up three runs, a triple and a home run through three innings.

There was more trouble awaiting Matt Wilkinson giving up two doubles to start the fourth inning and would be relieved by JT Brubaker. Nick Sogard doubled and drove Connor Wong home and this game was tied at three apiece. Brubaker gave up a Mickey Gasper double and with Wong on base another run came home and the Red Sox had taken the lead 4-3. A Rafaela single drove Gasper home and Boston went into the fifth inning now leading 5-3

Boston took the 5-3 lead into the seventh inning. San Francisco finally had their first base runner in the top of the seventh since the fourth inning their offense becoming very quiet Christian Koss had reached first base on an infield single and scored on a throwing error by Wilyer Abreu.

The Giants now trailed by a single run 5-4. The Red Sox went three and out with Sam Hentges on the mound. Hentges had relieved Brubaker since the middle of the sixth inning.

San Francisco struggled in the eighth inning unable to get that tying run and this game went into the top of the ninth inning with the Red Sox still leading 5-4. The Giants were down to their last three outs.

Aroldis Chapman would try to close out this game for the Red Sox and finish the series with a sweep. Jung Hoo Lee grounded out for the first out. Andrew Knizner ground out and Jonah Cox struck out and that was the ball game with the Red Sox sweeping this series and winning game three 5-4. Despite trailing at times during this series Boston continued to find a way to win and the Giants continue to try and weather some serious struggles.

GAME NOTES

The bottom of the fourth inning was the turning point of this game. The Giants looked excellent early in the game but it turned around quickly. They scored the two early runs and added another in the top of the third but their offense went pretty cold for the rest of the game.

Boston began to chip away with runs in the second and third innings. Then it all came apart in the fourth inning when Boston scored three runs taking a 5-3 lead. All the momentum swung in favor of the Red Sox at that point.

The Giants did fight back scoring a run in the seventh inning but just couldn’t get that tying run. San Francisco couldn’t stop Boston’s middle-inning comeback. Once the Red Sox took that 5-3 lead the Giants were playing catch-up for the rest of the game. The Giants were in position to avoid getting swept but a stalled out offense put that to rest.

San Francisco starting pitcher Matt Wilkinson had a bit of a mixed but encouraging outing today. He pitched 3 2/3 innings. He was able to give the Giants nearly four innings in only his second major-league start.

He gave up seven hits, four earned runs with two strikeouts and now has a 6.35 ERA. He was able to keep Boston from immediately blowing the game wide open after the Giants took their early lead. Most importantly, he was not the reason that San Francisco lost. The biggest issue was what happened after he left and Boston was able to turn the game around.

Monday San Francisco will take on the Cincinnati Reds in a three game series back home at Oracle Park. Carson Whisenhunt will take the mound for the Giants with a 3-4 win/loss record and a 7.03 ERA. The Reds plan on starting Chase Burns. He has a 14-2 win/loss record and a 2.51 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 6:45 PM.

Giants Blow Lead In Ninth-Red Sox Win In Walk-Off 3-2

San Francisco Giants’ Willy Adames (2) is congratulated at the dugout by teammate Drew Gilbert after hitting a home run off Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Patrick Sandoval during the first inning of a baseball game Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026, in Boston.Mary Schwalm/AP Photo/Mary Schwalm

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (52-77) were looking to tie up Saturday’s game two against the Boston Red Sox (70-59). They had a 2-0 lead going into the bottom of the ninth inning and were three outs away sealing the deal.

They took the lead 1-0 early in the game with a Willy Adames solo home run in the first inning. Andrew Knizner hit a second home run in the third inning and San Francisco had a 2-0 lead that persisted into the ninth inning.

They had their opportunities to score some insurance runs but fell short. In the eighth inning they had two runners on base but couldn’t bring either home. They had a huge opportunity in the ninth inning loading the bases with two outs and again came away empty.

They left the door wide open for the Red Sox and Boston was not about to squander their last chance in this game. Eli White singled Caleb Durbin home, Nick Sogard doubled Andruw Monasterio home and this game was tied 2-2.

The Giants would have to fight their way into extra innings. It was up to the bullpen to protect the 2-0 lead and they failed. The final blow was a fielder’s choice off the bat of Wilyer Abreu. White scored on that hit; the Giants challenged the call and it was upheld and that was the ball game 3-2 in a Boston walk-off.

GAME RECAP

San Francisco got a great start in Saturday night’s game two against the Red Sox. They scored early when Willy Adames hit a solo home run taking a 1-0 lead. Giants starting pitcher Blade Tidwell had three straight strikeouts in the first inning.

Tidwell gave up a single in the second inning but had little trouble getting through the inning.

San Francisco added to their score in the third inning with another solo home run the second long ball from Andrew Knizner now leading 2-0.

The Giants took that 2-0 lead into the top of the eighth when they had Osleivis Basabe and Jung Hoo Lee on base but left them both stranded. A missed opportunity for an insurance run or two.

In the top of the ninth inning another missed opportunity this one even more glaring; bases loaded with two outs. Bryce Eldridge lined out and this game hinged on the San Francisco bullpen, Dylan Smith and Sam Hentges.

It was a terrible bottom of the ninth inning for the two pitchers. Between them they walked two runners and hit a third; they loaded the bases with no outs allowing three runs and the walk-off 3-2 in favor of Boston. San Francisco had led though 8 1/2 innings but they just could not finish.

GAME NOTES

This was a particularly painfull loss for the Giant since they had led almost the entire game. They couldn’t get any insurance runs despite having some great opportunities. They went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. They left 11 runners on base. Of course the final blow was the ninth inning bases loaded situation.

No complaints at all regarding the innings on the mound for Blade Tidwell. He was excellent pitching 5 2/3 scoreless innings allowing only three hits and striking out a career high seven.

He gave San Francisco a perfect start. Unfortunately the bullpen could not protect the 2-0 lead. Dylan Smith did help keep Boston off the scoreboard but Sam Hentges came into the ninth and the Red Sox put a lot of pressure on him. A walk and a hit put the tying run in motion. Boston’s hitting in the ninth inning was the difference in this game.

The final play was the toughest one to stomach. Bryce Eldridge made an amazing diving stop at first and threw home but he pulled catcher Andrew Knizner off the plate and Eli White was able to cross home plate and was called safe. The Giant did challenge the call but the call was not overturned and that was the ball game.

Sunday the GIants will try to salvage the series and avoid getting swept. Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson will start for San Francisco. He will get another start after a great outing last Wednesday.

In that game he pitched two shutout innings allowing only one hit, no walks or strikeouts. The Giants did go on to win that game. The Giants will see him again in action Sunday. Jake Bennett will take the mound for the Red Sox. He has a 7-6 win/loss record and a 3.46 ERA. First pitch for that game is scheduled for 12:15 PM.

Giants Lose To Boston Despite 3 Run Fourth Inning Rally 6-4

San Francisco Giants first baseman Rafeal Devers said he didn’t want to talk about the past regarding how he departed from his former team the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston during batting practice on Fri Aug 21, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Friday night the San Francico Giants (52-75) took on the Boston Red Sox (68-59) at the historic Fenway Park. The game got underway under cloudy conditions with rain called for over the weekend. Regardless of the outcome of this series it was highly anticipated by many of the younger Giants’ players.

Playing at Fenway is always special for many of them, a dream if you will. It was a scoreless first two innings with San Francisco’s Logan Webb giving up two hits in the first two innings and Red Sox starter Sonny Gray also giving up two.

The Giants took the first lead of the game in the third inning 1-0 but the Red Sox wasted no time answering with five runs of their own in the bottom of the third taking a 5-1 lead.

When we expected a pitchers duel, we got some lights out hitting from both teams in the third and fourth innings. San Francisco scored three runs in the top of the fourth via a couple of home runs from Drew Gilbert and Rafael Devers. Boston led going into the bottom of the sixth inning adding one more run for a 6-4 final in game one.

GAME RECAP

The game got underway with Red Sox starting pitcher veteran Sonny Gray taking the mound. Gray gave up a single in the first inning but sailed through the rest of the inning. The Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb also gave up a single and a walk in the inning but nothing else.

We expected this game to be a pitchers duel with two excellent guys on the mound. The last thing anyone expected was a slugfest. The two pitchers got through the second inning unscathed, Gray giving up a double and Webb a triple.

The Giants were first up on the scoreboard in the top of the third inning. Bryce Eldridge singled Christian Koss home for their first run. San Franciso’s Jung Hoo Lee walked loading up the bases with Eldridge and Rafael Devers on base but Osleivis Basabe flied out for the third out and the Giants missed a great opportunity to score more runs.

The Red Sox answered back big time in the bottom of the third inning scoring five runs. Willson Contreras homered with Nick Sogard and Wilyer Abreu on base giving Boston a 3-1 lead.

It was a rough start for Webb giving up the home run but Boston had two outs and Webb just wanted to get out of the inning. San Francisco just could not get that final out and Webb would allow a couple more singles and hit two batters loading the bases and walking in one run with another run scoring when Mickey Gasper was hit with the bases loaded. The Red Sox had a 5-1 lead going into the fourth inning. Webb finally got out of the nightmare inning but the damage had been done.

San Francisco was looking at a sizable deficit but was undeterred. With two outs they got an impressive rally going into the fourth inning. Christian Koss doubled and Drew Gilbert hit a two run home run cutting the 5-1 Boston lead down to 5-3.

Rafael Devers came to the plate and hit a solo home run and just like that the Giants were back in this game only trailing by a single run 5-4. There was a pitching change for the Giants as Reiver SanMartin relieved Logan Webb after only 2 2/3 innings. SanMartin gave up a walk and a single but kept Boston from extending their lead.

San Francisco went three and out in the top of the fifth. SanMartin was relieved in the fifth by Tyler Harris who finished off the fifth and pitched into the sixth inning. The Red Sox would add another run in the bottom of the sixth inning. With Nick Sogard on base Wilyer Abreu tripled him home and Boston had a 6-4 lead going into the seventhn inning.

Erik Miller relieved Sonny Gray in the seventh inning and was terrific. San Francisco was down to their last six outs. Boston hung onto their 6-4 lead as this game was rapidly winding down. San Francisco was just not getting the timely hits they so badly needed.

Jason Foley pitched the final two innings for San Francisco, the eighth and ninth. He kept the Red Sox from doing any more damage but the Giants just stalled out at the plate. The final was 6-4 and Boston had taken the first game of this series. After the exceptional fourth inning the Giants just went flat and production at the plate all but vanished.

GAME NOTES

San Francisco just could not capitalize on the momentum they stirred up in fourth inning. Their offense went quiet only managing a few hits and could not put together another rally. Starting pitcher Logan Webb was hurt by Boston’s huge five-run third inning which included Willson Contreras’ three-run homer.

When the Red Sox added that insurance run in the sixth inning it all began so much more difficult for San Francisco. That run was key for Boston as they went on to win the first game of the series.

This was so very frustrating for the Giants since they had completely erased the momentum deficit in the fourth inning but then they could not get the big hit they needed over the final five innings. They finished with only seven hits, the Red Sox had 11. This was a game that San Francisco was absolutely capable of winning after the fourth inning comeback.

Logan Webb had a terribly disappointing outing only pitching 2 2/3 innings allowing six hits, five runs, three walks and only two strikeouts. He was just off Friday night.

Although Sonny Gray had a rough fourth inning, he remained in the game through six innings. He finished giving up seven hits, four earned runs, two walks with six strikeouts.

Saturday San Francisco will be looking to tie up this series after coming close Friday night. Blade Tidwell will take the mound for the Giants in game two. He has no wins this season only having pitched three starts. His ERA is 4.33 and Saturday will be his first career start against the Red Sox. Patrick Sandoval will take the mound for Boston. He has a 1-2 win/loss record and a 4.76 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 4:15 PM.

San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez: Giants open 3 game set with Red Sox Friday night at Fenway; It’s the return of Devers to Boston

San Francisco Giants starter Logan Webb will face the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston Fri Aug 21, 2026 (AP file photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez:

#1 Willy Adames hit his 20th home run of the season and 200th of his career. How important was his two-run homer in keeping the Giants within striking distance against the Cleveland Guardians?

#2 Landen Roupp allowed four runs—three earned—in 5⅓ innings. What did you think of his overall performance against Cleveland?

#3 Rafael Devers reached base to help set up Adames’ home run. How effective was Devers at creating opportunities for the Giants’ offense?

#4 Jung Hoo Lee contributed a hit in the game. What did you think of Lee’s performance at the plate and in the field?

#5 The Giants struggled offensively against Guardians starter Gavin Williams, who struck out 11. What adjustments could players such as Adames, Devers, Lee and Patrick Bailey have made against Williams?

Lincoln Juarez does the San Francisco Giants podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants Errors Along With a Decimated Roster Spells Another Series Loss At the Hands Of the Guardians 5-2

San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames (left) avoids colliding with Osleivis Basabe (right) against the Cleveland Guardians in the bottom of the fourth inning at Progressive Field in Cleveland on Thu Aug 20, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (52-74) and the Cleveland Guardians (61-66) met Thursday in game three, with the series all tied up. Both teams will be looking for more production at the plate in this game. Hits were few and far between as were runs yesterday for each of them.

The Guardians got a start similar to their game one win. They scored three runs in the first inning with Steven Kwan, Travis Bazzana and Patrick Bailey crossing home plate for the early 3-0 lead.

The Giants made this game a whole lot more manageable in the fourth inning. Willy Adames homered with Rafael Devers on base and San Francisco had pulled to within one run.

Cleveland would push their lead back out leading 4-2 going into the bottom of the sixth. Going into the eighth inning Cleveland continued to hang onto the 4-2 lead. The Guardians put up one more insurance run on the scoreboard for the final score 5-2. They had won the game and the series.

GAME RECAP

The Guardians jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Landen Roupp walked Steven Kwan and it was on. Travis Bazzana singled followed by a Jose Ramirez single and the Guardians had the bases loaded. Nathaniel Lowe sacrificed both Kwan and Bazzana home for two runs and a 2-0 lead. A Patrick Bailey single drove Ramirez home for the third run and a 3-0 lead. It had been a rough start for Roupp

Roupp pulled it together nicely in the second and third innings going three and out in both. The Guardians starting pitcher Gavin Williams had a great start rolling through the first three innings.

The Giants finally broke through in the fourth inning scoring two runs and only trailed by a single run 3-2. Devers singled in the top of the inning and Willy Adames hit his 200th career home run. The game now was completely within reach of San Francisco.

There was a pitching change for Cleveland in the sixth inning. Williams was relieved by Tim Herrin after 5 2/3 innings. Herrin got out of the inning. Cleveland would score another run in the bottom of the sixth.

Roupp allowed a single followed by a walk and that would be it for him relieved by Sam Hentges who gave up yet another single and Bailey scored the Guardians fourth run of the game. They led 4-2 going into the seventh.

San Francisco went three and out in the seventh still trailing late in the game. Carson Seymour had relieved Hentges in the bottom of the inning closing out the seventh. Going into the eighth inning the Giants needed some production at the plate only six outs away from losing the game and the series.

The Giants got something going in the top of the eighth. Bryce Eldridge walked followed by a Jung Hoo Lee single and San Francisco had two runners on base with two outs. Osleivis Basabe grounded out leaving the two runners stranded.

The Giants JT Brubaker would take the mound in the bottom of the eighth. He faced Patrick Bailey, former Giant, who was having a nice game with two hits. San Francisco suffered a second error in a rundown and the Guardians had Petey Halpin on second with only one out.

Halpin had gotten to second on the error and advanced to third on a wild pitch. A Brayan Rocchio single drove Halpin home and the Guardians were having a very lucrative inning. It had not gone well for JT Brubaker giving up the run. Cleveland took the 5-2 lead into the ninth inning.

San Francisco was three outs away from losing the game going into the top of the ninth. They had been unable to produce timely hits and had not played clean ball really digging themselves into a hole. Victor Bericoto lined out, and Jonah Cox struck out. Christian Koss walked and the Giants were still alive.

Andrew Knizner also walked and San Francisco had two runners on base against one of the best closers in the game Cade Smith. The Giants ran out of luck when Devers flied out and that was the ball game 5-2 in favor of Cleveland.

GAME NOTES

The Giants had struck out 40 times in this series against an amazing pitching squad in Cleveland. It was just to much for San Francisco having to come from behind while trailing 3-0 twice in the series.

In Thursday’s game again they fell behind 3-0 in the first inning. Too many errors today coupled with lack of production at the plate was a real recipe for a losing effort. Pitching has been a real problem with no consistency for the Giants.

Adames has not been playing clean ball lately and it has been tough to watch. San Francisco has had so many injuries and their lineup has been totally decimated, there is just no margin for error right now.

The Giants got close in the fourth inning but let it slip away with errors and lack of offense. Williams struck out 11 Giants in 5 2/3 innings allowing only four hits and two runs. All in all a comeback for San Francisco in this game was a stretch. The Giants were outplayed in the key moments of this game. They only had four hits to the Guardians 9.

Landen Roupp was stung in the first inning but settled down and kept the Guardians from breaking this game open. Adames two run home run was the highlight of the game for the Giants. Unfortunately this was the only offensive highlight for San Francisco.

The Giants will now take it to Boston for a matchup with the Red Sox. San Francisco will be looking to bounce back after this series loss and who better to look to than Logan Webb. He has had some amazing outings. He has a 8-7 win/loss record and a 3.50 ERA. The Sox will start Sonny Gray who has been impressive with a 15-3 win/loss record and a 2.65 ERA. He will be a handful. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 4:10 PM.

All aboard the Tugboat Express; San Francisco’s Matt Wilkinson a Part of Giants Shutout Win Over Guardians 1-0

San Francisco Giants starter Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson was dealing agianst the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field in Cleveland on Wed Aug 19, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (51-74) took on the Cleveland Guardians (61-65) in game two of their three-game series at Progressive Field this evening. In Wednesday’s matchup San Francisco started Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson in his MLB debut.

He was just called up from Triple-A and could potentially be a part of their future rotation. Family and friends of Wilkinson were on hand to share what had to be one of the greatest moments of his young life.

The Guardians had Parker Messick on the mound today. Through six innings San Francisco had 5 hits, the Guardians 4. In the fourth inning the Giants got up on the scoreboard taking a 1-0 lead that would persist into the seventh inning and beyond.

Rafael Devers scored on a Victor Bericoto infield single for the only run of the game. It would come down to the relief pitching and the Giants ability to keep Cleveland off the bases protecting that lead.

Going into the bottom of the ninth inning it would be up to Dylan Smith to close out the game for the win. He first pitch was wild but he settled down and finished off this game beautifully.

GAME RECAP

Cleveland pitcher Parker Messick gave up a single in the first inning but got out of it and this game was off and running. The Giants young Matt Wilkinson in his first major league debut faced the top of the Cleveland lineup undaunted going three and out.

The second inning was more of the same a pitcher’s dual. Messick had a three and out inning and the Giant’s Wilkinson started off the bottom of the inning giving up a single but finishing off the next three Cleveland at bats.

There would be a change on the mound for the Giants in the third inning. Messick struck out a couple of Giants to end the top of the inning and Adrian Houser relieved Wilkinson who had a couple of great innings.

San Francisco got the fourth inning started with a Rafael Devers double. He reached third base on a Messick wild pitch. With two outs Victor Bericoto singled Devers home and the Giants had their first lead of the series 1-0.

Chung Hoo Lee doubled and the Giants had runners at second and third but left them both stranded, missing a great opportunity to score another run. In the bottom of the fourth, Houser got into a bit of bind giving up a single and a double back-to-back with two outs but avoided any damage. The Guardians also left runners stranded on second and third.

The battle on the mound continued through the fifth and sixth innings. There would be a change on the mound for the Guardians in the seventh inning. Hunter Gaddis relieved Messick getting out of the inning and in the bottom of the seventh the Giants Houser gave up a single but not much else. It had been a beautifully pitched game by both teams. The Giants’ Wilkinson and Houser had pitched seven innings of shut-out ball.

Going into the eighth inning Willy Adames had his third hit of the game but the Giants were just not getting the timely hits to support their runners. Adrian Houser remained in the game to start the bottom of the eighth but walked the first at-bat. That would be it for Houser who had pitched five innings.

Dylan Smith would relieve Houser in a tough spot with a runner on base and no outs. A wild pitch sent Steven Kwan to second base after walking but Smith closed out the inning with three strikeouts.

San Francisco went three and out in the top of the ninth inning and so Dylan Smith would take the mound looking to protect the 1-0 lead and tie up this series. With one out, Angel Genao singled, Petey Halpin struck out swinging and the Giants were one out away from winning game two. Dylan Smith got the third out, a Patrick Bailey strikeout, and San Francisco had tied up this series winning game two 1-0.

GAME NOTES

Wednesday night’s game show-cased some amazing work on the mound for San Francisco. The most memorable moment was the first major league appearance for Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson.

He had just been called up from Triple-A but there was not a trace of the jitters seemingly in total control of the two innings he pitched. He allowed just one hit with no runs and walked one.

He had completed two scoreless innings in his debut. You may ask why only two innings when he was pitching so well. It is possible that San Francisco was being cautious with him evaluating him as a young pitcher who could possibly be a part of their future rotation. It looked like it was a planned workload but he was absolutely amazing and it would have been nice to see at least one more inning from him.

The Guardians Parker Messick also had a great showing on the mound only giving up the one run in the fourth inning pitching through 6 2/3 innings. He allowed six hits, one run, no walks and 10 strikeouts.

There was not a lot of offense in this game; we saw more of a good old-fashioned pitching dual and they were all excellent on both sides. In order to win a one-run game the work on the mound has to be impressive and it sure was from Wilkinson, to Houser, to Smith it could not have gone better for the Giants.

Offensively the Giants Victor Bericoto had the hit in the fourth inning that won this game. Willy Adames had three hits in the game and Jung Hoo Lee had a couple. Not a lot of timely hits but the pitching more than made up for it.

Thursday the Giants will be looking to win this series taking game three. Landen Roupp will take the mound for San Francisco. He has a 7-12 win/loss record and a 4.31 ERA. Cleveland will start Gavin Williams. His win/loss record is 11-7 with a 3.74 ERA. First pitch for this game is an early one scheduled for 10:10 AM.

Tough Start in Cleveland As Giants Get Crushed 8-1

San Francisco Giant Bryce Eldridge is congratulated in the Giants dugout after hitting a second inning home run off Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Foster Griffin at Progressive Field in Cleveland on Tue Aug 18, 2026 (AP News photo)

It was not the series start that the San Francisco Giants (51-74) were looking for as they took on the Cleveland Guardians (61-65) at Progressive Field. Cleveland took an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning to jump start the game for the Guardians and they did not look back.

San Francisco did score a run in the second inning but they would not cross home plate for the rest of the game. The Guardians on the other hand scored in the second, fourth and seventh innings finishing the game with eight runs for a final score of 8-1. Joe Adell was a monster at the plate with six RBIs a career high for him and the Giants only managed seven hits to the Guardians 12.

GAME RECAP

The Guardians Jo Adell got this game going in the right direction for Cleveland hitting a three run homer in the bottom of the first inning. This was only the beginning for the Guardians.

San Francisco’s Bryce Eldridge hit a solo home run in the top of the second inning but that would turn out to be the only run for the Giants in this game. Cleveland would add two more runs in the bottom of the second inning. Again Jo Adell was right in the mix singling Steven Kwan and Jose Ramirez home for a 5-1 lead.

San Francisco had the bases loaded in the fourth inning but left them all stranded as the inning went into the bottom. Cleveland was picking starting pitcher for San Francisco Carson Whisenhunt apart.

He gave up another couple of runs in the inning. For a third time it was an Adell single that drove in Brayan Rocchio and a Drew Gilbert error eventually allowed Kwan to cross home plate giving Cleveland a 7-1 lead after only four innings.

There would be a pitching change in the top of the fifth inning for San Francisco with Trent Harris relieving Whisenhunt. Harris went three and out in the bottom of the inning finally stalling out the Guardians hit parade.

Cleveland’s starting pitcher Foster Griffin was cruising also going three and out and it was on to the sixth inning.

The sixth inning was a good one for both starting pitchers with Griffin going another three and out and Harris only giving up a single.

The Guardians made a pitching change in the top of the seventh inning with Matt Festa relieving Griffin who had gone six innings in a great showing. Cleveland would score another run in the bottom of the inning which would turn out to be their final run of the evening.

San Francisco relief pitcher Reiver Sanmartin gave up the one run for the final score 8-1 in favor of Cleveland. SanMartin would also pitch the eighth inning going three and out.

GAME NOTES

It was a rocky outing for San Francisco starting pitcher Carson Whisenhunt. He only pitched four innings giving up nine hits, seven runs, (six earned) and two walks with only one strikeout. Relief pitcher Trent Harris who relieved Whisenhunt had two great innings only giving up one hit and had five strikeouts.

The Guardians starting pitcher Foster Griffin breezed through this game going six innings only giving up the one run. He finished the game giving up five hits, the one run, no walks with six strikeouts.

The highlight of this game was the remarkable performance by Clevelands Jo Adell who finished with one run, three hits, and six RBIs. He was on fire in this game. The Guardians Jose Ramirez also had three hits and two runs.

The Giants Jonah Cox had two hits as did Bryce Eldridge. Eldridge scored San Francisco’s only run of the game.

Wednesday the Giants will be looking for a far better effort than Tuesday night’s game. Matt Wilkinson will take the mound for the Giants. This will be his very first MLB start, his first appearance for San Francisco. He has never pitched in the major leagues before. He did have an excellent season in the minors with 96 strikeouts in 90 innings this year. The Guardians will start Parker Messick. He has a 9-7 win/loss record and a 2.59 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 3:40 PM.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Giants basically running a triple A line up; A’s Soderstrom out on 10 day IL nursing hip injury; plus more news

San Francisco Giants third baseman Buddy Kennedy is hitting .091 but has started the last three games (photo from Field Level Media)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary:

#1 The SF Giants are bascially using a triple A line up and even have a third baseman Buddy Kennedy who hitting .038 starting in the line up.

#2 The Giants had used Matt Chapman and Casey Schmitt as starting third basemen and both are on the IL around the time of the trade deadline and had to look to Kennedy for third base help.

#3 The Sacramento A’s are also having injury problems most recently Tyler Soderstrom suffered a hip inpingement and went on the 10 day IL, how much of an impact is it having Soderstrom out of the line up?

#4 Reggie Jackson recently said that at one time he attempted to purchase the Oakland A’s when former A’s owner Ken Hoffman and Steve Schott owned the team but Reggie said he was denied by MLB Commissioner at the time Bud Selig. The purchase as the team was sold to Lew Wolf. Reggie felt that was his best opportunity to own the A’s but was denied because Selig helped his fellow sority brother Wolf.

#5 The A’s have recently fell into last place in the AL West after being in first place earlier in the season. During the period when they were a first place team there was optimism and even some hope that they can hold on and get to the post season.

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.

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

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

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

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

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

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic: Rockies score ten runs in three innings to top Giants 13-7 at Oracle

Sam Hentges (31) yells into his glove at the end of the top of the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026 (Bay Area News Group photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalvoic:

#1 Rafael Devers hit a three-run home run for the Giants. How important was his homer in helping San Francisco build its early 7–6 lead?

#2 Blade Tidwell struggled with his command, issuing five walks. How did his control problems contribute to the Giants losing their lead?

#3 Despite the loss, the Giants collected 11 hits. How would you evaluate the offensive performances of Rafael Devers, Jung Hoo Lee, and Willy Adames?

#4 Giants reliever Sam Hentges took the loss after Colorado’s sixth-inning rally. What went wrong for San Francisco’s pitching staff during the Rockies’ seven-run comeback?

#5 After allowing seven unanswered runs, what should Rafael Devers, Jung Hoo Lee, and the rest of the Giants do differently to prevent a similar late-game collapse?

Marko Ukalovic does the San Francisco Giants podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants game wrap: Tidwell wild, and Rockies take season series with wild 13-7 win over Giants

Colorado Rockies Zac Veen (center) celebrates after scoring on a wild pitch in the top of the sixth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun Aug 16, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Colorado Rockies 13 (50-74)

San Francisco Giants 7 (51-73)

Win: Nick Frasso (1-1)

Loss: Sam Hentges (1-5)

Time: 3:08

Attendance: 32,063

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–It was a wild one Sunday at Oracle Park, as Blade Tidwell gave up six runs on five walks, and the Rockies ended up pulling away late to take this series, and the season series, with a 13-7 win.

Sunday was an important day. The Giants came into today 6-6 against the Rockies, and they needed a win to take the season series. Hey, the Giants have not lost a season series to the Rockies since 2020. The last thing this team needs is another symbolic reminder of what a nightmare this season has been.

Blade Tidwell would take the ball in his third start of the season. Tidwell had solid starts against the Rangers and Astros, and hoped for another one against the Rockies today.

Tidwell got Jake McCarthy to ground out to start things off. Cole Carrigg drew a one-out walk. and Drew Cavanaugh wasted one of the Giants’ two challenges trying to overturn it. Micky Moniak then pulled a p-rod right into the glove of Bryce Eldridge over at first base, and Eldridge promptly tagged Carrigg out for the double play,

Now, the Giants were up against Gabriel Hughes in the bottom of the first inning. Rafael Devers slashed a double down the left field line with one out in the bottom of the first inning. Though, it was a little close at second. Eldridge fisted a broken-bat base-hit to center field to knock in Devers, who scored without a throw.

The Giants had struck first, but the top of the second wouldn’t be pretty for Tidwell. Willi Castro walked to start the inning. Troy Johnston and Zac Veen both got base-hits, and Castro scored on Veen’s base-hit to tie the game.

We then had a bit of a weird play. Jordan Beck hit a liner to short that was dropped by Christian Koss. However, Koss flipped the ball to second to retire Veen, and then Osleivis Basabe threw the ball to third to retire the lead runner, Johnston. I’m not sure Buddy Kennedy was aware that he needed to tag Johnston, but he did after a slight delay. It was a 6-4-5 double play. You don’t see those every day.

It seemed as if that would help limit the damage for Tidwell in the top of the second, or so we thought. Brett Sullivan walked, and Adael Amador hit a three-run home run to right, in what was just his second big league at-bat of the season, to give the Rockies a 4-1 lead.

Believe it or not, the Giants would have a response in the bottom of the second. Cavanaugh led off the inning with a beautifully-placed—and beautiful all around—bunt single along the third base line. We don’t see that enough in our great game today. Something like that is always a good omen for an inning.

Turner Hill grounded into a fielder’s choice, and Kennedy lined a base-hit to left. Drew Gilbert, who was fresh off a three-hit and three-RBI game yesterday, shot a base-hit to center to knock in Hill, and cut it to 4-2.

Devers was up, and pulled an inside slider that went just foul down the right field line, and into the water. It flipped a guy’s kayak out there, and they showed it on the scoreboard for all of us to see. It may have been the most eventful foul splash hit in history, and thankfully ended with the guy being able to come up with the ball.

Devers then took a curve down and in, and hit a real splash hit to put the Giants back ahead. The same fan would not get it, which was unfortunate, because they would have been a storybook ending to a memorable at-bat. It was also the 110th splash hit here at Oracle Park.

Tidwell bounced back for a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the third. The Giants would add a run in the bottom of the third, when Hill would knock in Basabe with his first big league hit.

Tidwell threw another one two three inning in the top of the fourth. Hughes didn’t throw a one two three bottom of the fourth, but it was rather quick, thanks to Gilbert getting picked off at first base.

Tidwell retired Sullivan to start the top of the fifth. However, after Tidwell walked Amador and McCarthy his day was done after just 63 pitches. Tidwell threw 100 and 96 pitches in his first two starts respectively, but his five walks got to him Sunday.

Sam Hentges was brought in, and Carrigg greeted him with a double down the left field line, which scored Amador, and made it a one-run game at 6-5. Moniak then got McCarthy in with a sacrifice fly, and that tied the game at 6-6.

All in all, Tidwell gave up six runs on just three hits. However, as I mentioned above, the five walks are what really got to Tidwell.

Hughes walked Eldridge to start the bottom of the fifth, and Nick Frasso was brought in. Frasso retired Jung Hoo Lee, but hit Basabe on the left hand. Cavanaugh then singled to left to load the bases, but Hill struck out for the second out.

Kennedy was up with two outs, the bases loaded and a full count. He took a fastball inside to put the Giants back ahead. However, Koss struck out, and that’s all the Giants would get.

The top of the sixth would not be pretty either. Hentegs was back out, and issued a pair of walks.

JT Brubaker came in with runners at second and third and two outs. With Amador at the plate, Brubaker threw one in the dirt that Cavanaugh could not find, and Veen came in to score to tie it at 7-7.

Amador and McCarthy both walked. Brubaker got ahead of Carrigg 0-2, but that was before Brubaker hit him on the foot. The Rockies retook the lead, and it was 8-7.

Reiver Sanmartin then came in, and Moniak lined a base-hit to left to knock in a pair. While it didn’t lead to any more runs scoring, Hill overran the ball in left, which allowed Moniak to reach second. It was just a brutal exclamation point, as the score was now 10-7.

Parker Mushinski threw a scoreless bottom of the sixth. Brett Sullivan then hit a three-run home run off Keaton Winn in the top of the seventh to open it up to 13-7, and put the game away.

As for the Giants’ bullpen the rest of the way, Trent Harris threw a scoreless top of the eighth, and Jason Foley threw a one two three top of the ninth.

Despite his shaky bottom of the fifth, Nick Frasso got the win. Sam Hentges took the loss.

The Rockies have indeed won the season series against the Giants 7-6. The Giants fall to 51-73 on the season.

Now, it’s back on the road for the Giants. They will play three in Cleveland against the Guardians starting on Tuesday, followed by three at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox starting Friday.

The series in Cleveland will be a reunion with catcher Patrick Bailey, whom the Giants traded to the Guardians on May 9. How well he does in this series, and how many walk-off home runs he hits, remain to be seen.

Starting pitchers for San Francisco LHP Carson Whisenhunt (3-3 ERA 6.11) will take the ball in what will be a matchup of lefties in the series opener on Tuesday for Cleveland LHP.Foster Griffin (13-4 ERA 3.25).

First pitch will be at 6:40 p.m. EDT in Cleveland, 3:40 p.m. PDT back home in San Francisco.

Buster gives Tony his confidence:

President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey made it clear that Tony Vitello will return as the Giants’ skipper next season.

With the Giants’ brutal 51-73 season to this point under the rookie big league manager, there had been speculation about Vitello’s future. That is despite the fact that there are two years remaining on his contract, and despite the fact that moving on from Vitello would mean the Giants bringing in their fourth manager in five years.

Posey dispelled any rumors about Vitello’s future with a blunt “he’s coming back.”