Tag: San Francisco Giants

Isiah Kiner-Falefa gets walk off hit for Bucs as Giants Lose to Pirates 5-4 in the ninth

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Pittsburgh Pirates runner Jack Suwinski (left) slides in safely for the game winning run ahead of San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey’s (14) tag as umpire Ryan Addison makes the safe call in the ninth inning at PNC Park in Pittsburgh (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

It was looking pretty good for the San Francisco Giants (56-57) going into the bottom of the ninth inning in the first game of their series with the Pittsburgh Pirates (49-64). Despite it being a one-run game, San Francisco brought in their most successful closer Randy Rodriguez.

It was a surprising inning from Rodriguez who walked the first batter followed by hitting the next batter Jack Suwinski. Joey Bart tied up the game 4-4 with a single.

With only one out, Isiah Kiner-Falefa grounded into a fielder’s choice Suwinski scored from third and that was the ball game with the Pirates coming from behind and winning 5-4. The Giants again fall under five hundred for the third time this season and the Pirates won the first game of the series after sweeping San Francisco at Oracle last week.

San Francisco scored two runs in the first inning taking a 2-0 lead. Dominic Smith singled Willie Adames home and Casey Schmitt walked with the bases loaded bringing Francisco Devers home for the second run.

It was a horrible start for Pirates pitcher Oviedo who allowed two singles and three walks. He loaded the bases to start the inning giving up a single for the the first run and with the bases remaining loaded walked Casey Schmitt home for the second run of the inning.

The Pirates got up on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first inning with a single run. Spencer Horwitz scored from second base . He reached second base on a fielding error from Heliot Ramos and scored on a Nick Gonzales sacrifice. They had cut the Giants lead in half.

Neither team was able to score in the second, third or fourth innings and going into the fifth inning the Giants were hanging onto a 2-1 lead. San Francisco had a few singles in the third inning but neither team had runners in scoring position for the next three innings.

Justin Verlander finished the game going five innings only allowing three hits, one run, one walk and four strikeouts. He was relieved by Carson Seymour in the sixth inning. Seymour pitched into the seventh inning.

Jung Hoo Lee had a monster hit in the fifth inning, a triple that brought both Willie Adames and Matt Chapman home taking a 4-1 lead.

When it looked like the Giants would take the 4-1 lead into the eighth inning the Pirates Jack Suwinski hit a two run home run and it was a one-run game, the Giants leading 4-3. Giants pitcher Carson Seymour unfortunately walked the first at bat that he faced to start the bottom of the seventh giving up the two runs.

Spencer Bivens took over on the mount in the bottom of the eighth inning looking to protect the Giants one run lead after San Francisco went three and out to start the inning. Bivens gave up a single and with two outs Randy Rodriguez came in to try and get the final four outs. The Giants were able to tag Nick Gonzales out at second for the third out and the Giants were three outs away from winning the first game of the series.

The top of the ninth inning got underway with the Giants looking for at least one insurance run. Pittsburgh pitcher Dauri Moreta carved up the Giants with a fly out, a strikeout and a lineout. It would be up to Randy Rodriguez to save the game for San Francisco.

With one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, Rodriguez had walked Andrew McCutchen and went on to hit Jack Suwinski putting two runners on base. After going hitless for the entire game Joey Bart got a hit to center field allowing McCutchen to score from second base tying up the game 4-4.

In a most disappointing finish to this game Isiah Kiner-Falefa grounded into a fielder’s choice and Suwinski scored for the 5-4 walk-off. It was an especially tough loss for Giants closer Randy Rodriguez who had been dominant this season.

Game notes: After taking a series off the New York Mets over the weekend, the Giants took on the Pirates ( at PNC Park. The Giants had a blowout win over the Mets yesterday winning the game 12-6. In late July, the Pirates swept the Giants at Oracle and Monday night the Pirates continued on that path taking the first game of the series at PNC.

After winning the series over a very good Mets team the Giants looked to have turned a corner going forward and are hoping to finish strong in the next two months. Monday night Justin Verlander was looking for his second win of the season but didn’t get the decision as the Giants lost it after Verlander had left.

After a rough start in this three game series the Giants will be looking to even up the series in game two. Logan Webb will take the mound in Tuesday’s game. He comes into the game with a 9-8 win/loss record and a 3.31 ERA. The Pirates plan on starting Mike Burrows who has a 1-3 win/loss record and a 3.88 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled 3:40 PM.

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic: Giants and Devers working on turning the page

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San Francisco Giant reliever Ryan Walker shuts down the New York Mets in the ninth inning at Citi Field in New York on Sun Aug 3, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic:

#1 Marko after the San Francisco Giants got crushed on Saturday by the New York Mets 12-6 a turn around to Sunday’s Giants 12-4 win. What would you say is the difference in the two games?

#2 Scoring early and scoring often is a key to winning ball games and the Giants scored four times in the top of the third and three times in the top of the fourth inning.

#3 Rafael Devers is coming around he slugged a home run and got four RBIs talk about his Sunday at the plate has he snapped out of his slump?

#4 How strange was it to see the Mets Tyler Rogers come out in relief on Saturday and pitch against his old teammates going 1.1 allowing one hit?

#5 The Giants open up a three game series in Pittsburgh on Monday night. The Giants will start RHP Justin Verlander (1-8 ERA 4.53). The Bucs will start RHP Johan Oviedo (0-0 ERA 0.00). First pitch 3:40pm PT from PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

Marko Ukalovic podcasts MLB The Show each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB The Show podcast Stephen Ruderman: Giants crush Mets to take series 12-4 at Citi Field Sunday

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San Francisco Giants Rafael Devers hits a three run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the top of the third inning at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Sun Aug 3, 2025 (AP News photo)

MLB The Show podcast Stephen Ruderman:

#1 Stephen after the San Francisco Giants got crushed on Saturday by the New York Mets 12-4 a turn about from Friday’s night Mets 12-6 win. What would you say is the difference in games?

#2 Scoring early and scoring often is a key to winning ball games and the Giants scored four times in the top of the third and three times in the top of the fourth inning.

#3 Rafael Devers is coming around he slugged a home run and got four RBIs talk about his Sunday at the plate has he snapped out of his slump?

#4 How strange was it to see the Mets Tyler Rogers come out in relief on Saturday and pitch against his old teammates going 1.1 allowing one hit?

#5 The Giants open up a three game series in Pittsburgh on Monday night. The Giants will start RHP Justin Verlander (1-8 ERA 4.53). The Bucs have not announced a starter yet. First pitch 3:40pm PT from PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

Stephen Ruderman filled in for Charlie O who podcasts MLB The Show each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants Beat Mets Via Monster Offense Winning 12-4 and Taking Series

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San Francisco Giants Rafael Devers second from right celebrates with teammates after hitting a three run home run against the New York Mets in the top of the third inning at Citi Field in New York (AP News photo0

By Barbara Mason

After getting crushed in Saturday’s game 12-6 the San Francisco Giants (56-56) came roaring back in the final game of the series Sunday for a 12-4 win. The Giants had monster third and fourth innings scoring seven runs taking a 7-1 lead with five innings still left in the game for more offensive fun at the expense of the New York Mets (63-49) at Citi Field in New York.

The finished off the game in the ninth inning scoring five runs winning the game 12-4. Rafael Devers had an amazing game scattered with RBIs, hits and a home run thrown into the mix. He was on fire. Jung Hoo Lee also had a monster game with four hits on four at bats.

The Mets took the early lead in the bottom of the first inning 1-0. Francisco Lindor who had a huge game yesterday hit a solo home run to left getting a good start for New York.

After a quiet second inning for both teams, San Francisco turned the heat up in the third inning scoring four runs. Patrick Bailey got the inning going with a single that allowed base runner Jung Hoo Lee to score. The Giants delivered a blow to the Mets courtesy of a Rafael Devers three run home run taking a 4-1 lead. Bailey and Heliot Ramos both scored on that long ball.

San Francisco went on another rampage in the fourth inning scoring three more runs and taking a 7-1 lead. Patrick Bailey grounded into a fielder’s choice and Casey Schmitt scored for the first run of the inning.

Heliot Ramos hit an infield single reaching first base and allowing Jung Hoo Lee to score for another run. Rafael Devers would hit yet another single in the inning and Bailey scored for the third run of the inning and the 7-1 lead.

It had been rough outing for Mets starting pitcher Frankie Montas made even worse by the multitude of boo’s coming from the fans in the stands. Montas was relieved after four innings allowing seven hits, seven runs, two walks and three strikeouts. He was relieved in the fifth inning by Austin Warren who was pretty spotless going four innings allowing two hits, no runs. one walk and five strikeouts.

The Mets did score one run in the fifth inning. Francisco Alvarez hit a double and Jeff MCNeil scored on a Giant’s throwing error.

The Giants starting pitchers Carson Whisenhunt finished 5 1/3 innings allowing 3 hits, 1 earned run, 2 walks and 4 strikeouts. He had a great outing but seemed to fatigue slightly in the bottom of the sixth inning. He was relieved by Jose Butto who took it into the seventh inning. He finished with 1 hit, no runs, no walks and 3 strikeouts. San Francisco pitching was stellar in this game.

It was an uneventful sixth, seventh and eighth innings. Not much for either team in the final innings of this game although In the ninth inning San Francisco threatened to add more runs to their tally. They loaded the bases with two outs looking for more runs. They got those runs adding a couple more taking a 9-2 lead when Dominic Smith singled Rafael Devers and Heliot Ramos home.

With two Giants runners still on base Casey Schmitt brought the gang home for his sixth home run of the season. Matt Chapman and Smith both scored on that home run for 3 more runs in a five-run inning.

The Mets were not finished but it was far too little too late. They scored a couple of runs in the bottom of the ninth inning but that would be it. The final was 12-4 in a well-rounded effort offensively and defensively for the Giants. San Francisco started the game on fire and finished in the same manner.

Game notes: The Giants took on the Mets in the rubber game of their series Sunday afternoon. The Giants were looking for a little payback after getting beaten soundly Saturday 12-6. San Francisco starter Carson Wisenhunt pitched 5.1 innings, allowing three hits, one earned run, two walks and four strikeouts. For Mets starter Frankie Montas pitched four innings, allowing seven hits, seven earned runs, two walks and three strikeouts.

Next stop for the San Francisco Giants will be a three-game series with the Pittsburg Pirates Monday night. The Giant’s Justin Verlander will have another go at it after finally winning his first start of the season. He has a 1-8 win/loss record and a 4.53 ERA. At the time of this post the Pirates were still undecided as to who will take the mound in game one. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 3:40 PM PT.

San Francisco Crushed by Mets In Game Two 12-6

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San Francisco Giant first baseman Dominic Smith (7) can’t look as the New York Mets Keith Alsonso runs the bases for a two run home run and his 250th career home run in the first inning at Citi Field in New York at Sat Aug 2, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (55-56) were very much in this game going into the bottom of the seventh inning. The New York Mets (63-48) just wore the Giants out in the bottom of the seventh inning scoring four runs and tacking on another in the eighth inning for a 12-6 win to tie up the series one apiece.

The win puts New York back on top in the National League East. The Mets finished the game with 13 hits and San Francisco had nine. The Giants did have a two-run home run in the ninth inning which should give them a little confidence going into game three Sunday. The Giants fell below .500 with this loss for a second time this season.

Friday, the Giants finally snapped their six game losing streak beating the Mets in ten innings 4-3. Friday night the Giants were looking their second win over the National League East’s second place team but couldn’t accomplish that mission.

The Mets are currently a half game behind the first place Phillies and took back first place with a win today. Giants starter Kai Wei Teng pitched 3.1 innings, allowing four hits and five earned runs, three walks and four strikeouts. Mets starter Senga countered with four innings, five hits, four earned runs, three walks, and four strikeouts.

The Mets got to San Francisco starting pitcher Kai-Wei Teng early scoring three runs and taking a 3-0 lead. The Mets Pete Alonso hit a three run home run with Brandon Nimmo and Francisco Lindor on board for the early lead. it was a rough start for the Giants.

San Francisco got to work in the second inning getting back one run when Grant McCray grounded into a double play but brought base runner Casey Schmitt home. Trailing by two runs, San Francisco scored a couple more runs in the third inning to tie up the game 3-3. Dominic Smith hit a two run home run with Matt Chapman on base and this game was all even.

The Giants took the lead in the fourth inning 4-3. Grant McCray singled Jung Hoo Lee home for San Francisco’s first lead of the game. The Giant’s lead was short-lived when the Mets took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning 5-4 scoring two runs. Brandon Nimmo singled Cedric Mullins home and Francisco Lindor reached first base on a bunt single and Brett Baty scored.

There was a change on the mound in the fourth inning for the Giants. After 3 1/3 innings starting pitcher Kai-Wei Teng was relieved by Matt Gage. Teng had allowed four hits, five earned runs, three walks and four strikeouts. Gage closed out the fourth inning and pitched into the fifth.

The Mets starting pitcher Kodai Senga also exited the game early going for four innings. He allowed five hits, four earned runs, also had three walks and 4 four strikeouts. He was relieved by Reed Garrett who closed out the fifth inning. Garrett was relieved after 1 1/3 innings and Gregory Soto took the mound in the sixth inning.

Spencer Bivens came in to relieve in the bottom of the sixth inning for the Giants. It didn’t go so well for Bivens allowing two more New York runs extending the Mets lead to 7-4. Brandon Nimmo singled Francisco Alvarez home and Francisco Lindor came up right behind Nimmo and also singled driving Brett Baty home.

It was a shaky seventh inning for Giants relief pitcher Tristian Beck loading the bases with two outs. Brandon Nimmo hit yet again another single in the game driving in Ronny Mauricio leaving the bases still loaded.

The Mets would tack on another two runs taking a 10-4 lead breaking this game open. Francisco Lindor who was having a great game had another hit, a double driving in Cedric Mullins and Brett Baty.

The Mets were still not finished still with two outs but San Francisco just could not get out of the inning. New York finished off the inning scoring one more run taking an 11-4 lead. Beck had an awful time on the mound throwing a wild pitch allowing Nimmo to score the final run of the inning.

The Giants were able to fight for this game for a few innings but the Mets just plain wore them out in the latter innings. The Mets took the 11-4 lead into the bottom of the eighth inning. Beck remained in the game for the eighth inning giving up another run but closed out the inning with New York leading 12-4.

The Mets were three outs away from a tied up series. With two outs the Giants had one last gasp with a two run home run from Willie Adames, his first hit of the series.

The rubber game of this series will be played Sunday morning with first pitch scheduled for 10:40 AM. Carson Whisenhunt will take the mound for the Giants with a 7.20 ERA. The Mets will send Frankie Montas with a 3-1 win/loss record and a 5.46 ERA.

Smith’s RBI base hit keys Giants to 10th inning win over Mets 4-3

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San Francisco Giants Dominic Smith slugs an RBI single in the top of the tenth to give the Giants the eventual winning run against the New York Mets at Citi Field in New York on Fri Aug 1, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

NEW YORK. — The San Francisco Giants held off a late rally by the New York Mets and beat the home team 4-3 in extra innings in the series opener at Citi Field on Friday night.

Pinch-hitter Dominic Smith hit an RBI single in the 10th inning and the Giants beat his former team and snapped their season-high-tying six-game losing streak.

The Giants were leading 3-1 when the Mets came out swinging in the eighth inning. Juan Soto singled on a ground ball to left field, allowing Brandon Nimmo to score, and New York trailed by only 1. Then Pete Alonso went out on a sacrifice fly to center field and Francisco Lindor scored, tying the game at 3-3 with two outs.

Both teams were scoreless in the ninth, and the game went into an extra inning, in which Smith bagged the game.

“Well look, we had to work hard to get it,” said Giants manager Bob Melvin.

“It felt a little unlucky there for a while but, powered through.”

The Giants got off to a good start, with Casey Schmitt doubling on a sharp line drive to left field and Matt Chapman scoring in the second inning, putting the Giants up 1-0. Jung Hoo Lee grounded out and Wilmer Flores scored, boosting them up 2-0.

In the seventh inning, Patrick Bailey doubled on a line drive to right field and Lee scored, expanding San Francisco’s lead to 3-0. But at the bottom of the inning, Alonso hit a home run on a fly ball to center field to cut the Giants’ lead to 3-1.

In the second inning, Casey Schmitt doubled on a sharp line drive to left field and Matt Chapman scored, putting the Giants up 1-0. Jung Hoo Lee grounded out and Wilmer Flores scored, boosting them up 2-0.

In the seventh inning, Patrick Bailey doubled on a line drive to right field and Lee scored, expanding San Francisco’s lead to 3-0. At the bottom of the seventh, Alonso hit a home run on a fly ball to center field to cut the Giants’ lead to 3-1.

After the Mets tied the game in the eighth, Smith in the 10th hit a single on a ground ball to center field, allowing Willy Adames to score and take a 4-3 lead.

Adames said “we had to find a way to win this game, no matter how”.

Giants starting pitcher Robbie Ray gave up just one run in seven innings.

“I didn’t try to do too much, didn’t try to put any unneeded pressure on myself,” said Ray.

“I knew that if I stuck to my game plan, that we had a chance.”

With two months left in the season, the Giants are 55-55 as they continue on their six-game road trip with two more games in New York and then a visit to the Pittsburgh Pirates from Monday to Wednesday.

First pitch for game two against the Mets (62-48) on Saturday is at 1:10 p.m. PT. Starting pitcher for the Giants LHP Carson Wisenhunt (0-0 ERS 7.20) for the Mets RHP Kodai Senga (7-3 ERA 2.00).

2025 INSOMNIAC LUNATIC FRINGE TRADE DEADLINE SHOW Thu July 31, 2025

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Former San Francisco Giant Mike Yastrzemski bats during the first inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Miami. Yastrzemski was dealt to the Kansas City Royals on Thu Jul 31, 2025 from the Giants. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

On Wednesday the San Francisco Giants traded pitcher Tyler Rogers to the New York Mets for Jose Butto and two prospects. The Seattle Mariners have acquired Eugernio Suarez he returns to the Mariners.

Carlos Carrea is headed back to the Houston Astros from the Minnesota Twins and the strange thing is it is pending guess what a medical review. Kyle Foster of Napa Sports News is going to join us on the show. Take a listen.

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

Giants trade Doval to Yankees and Yastrzemski to Royals beating the trade deadline buzzer

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Camilo Doval (75) throws a pitch during the ninth inning against the Sacramento Athletics on Sun July 6, 2025 at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants traded closer Camilo Doval to the New York Yankees, and outfielder Mike Yastrzemski to the Kansas City Royals at the Trade Deadline Thursday.

The Giants indicated yesterday that they were looking towards next season and beyond when they traded submariner Tyler Rogers to the New York Mets for relief pitcher Jose Butta, pitching prospect Blade Tidwell and outfield prospect Drew Gilbert.

Thursday, the Giants traded Doval to the Yankees for four prospects. Those prospects include infielder Parks Harbor, left-handed pitcher Carlos De La Rosa, right-hander pitcher Trystan Vrieling and catcher Jesus Rodriguez. Rodriguez, who was hitting .317 for the Yankees’ Triple-A club, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, could be seen as a potential replacement for Giants’ catcher Patrick Bailey next season.

The Giants received right-handed pitching prospect Yunior Marte from the Royals in exchange for Yastrzemski.

Yastrzemski was the Giants’ elder statesman, having made his major league debut for the Giants on May 25, 2019. Mike, the grandson of Red Sox’ Hall-of-Famer Carl Yastrzemski, finally made it to the big leagues after six years in the minor leagues, and instantly became a leader and fan favorite with the Giants.

Yaz provided the Giants and their fans with many memorable moments, including five walk-off home runs, and he won the Willie Mac Award in 2020.

Doval emerged on the scene late during the Giants’ 107-win season of 2021, and had several big performances, including in the National League Division Series against the Dodgers. Doval officially became the Giants’ closer in 2022, and went to the All-Star Game in Seattle in 2023. Doval lost the closer’s job after a rough season last year, but regained it in April of this year.

Doval picked up 107 saves for the Giants, the fourth-most in franchise history.

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

San Francisco Giants podcast Morris Phillips: Giants tailspin at 3-13 worst in Majors since July 9

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San Francisco Giants right fielder Mike Yastrzemski (5) leapt over a padded wall to make a spectacular catch and into the right field netting for the out against the Pittsburgh Pirates Jack Suwinski at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Wed Jul 30, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Morris Phillips:

#1 The Giants continue with their downward trend now further dropping their record to 3-13 the worst loss mark since July 9th in the Majors after getting swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday.

#2 The Giants once again failed to get run support for starter Logan Webb. The Giants got six hits and one run in the 2-1 loss.

#3 The Giants losing to a last place visiting team on their home field was just another added pin in their collection of recent loses further putting them six out for that last coveted wild card spot.

#4 For starter Logan Webb another great outing in his start pitching 5.2 innings, five hits, one earned run, four walks and 11 strikeouts. With reliever Ryan Walker pitching the score tied 1-1 in the top of the tenth the Pirates Henry Davis hit a ground out to second base that allowed ghost runner O’Neil Cruz to score what would be the game winning run.

#5 The Giants DFA’d pitcher Sean Hjelle who leave the Giants who had a 1-1 ERA 7.80. The Giants also traded pitcher Tyler Rogers to the New York Mets for pitchers Blade Tidwell and José Buttó, and outfielder Drew Gilbert. 

#6 Giants will be off Thu Jul 31 before opening up a three game series against the New York Mets Fri Aug 1. The Giants have not announced a starter and the Mets will go with LHP David Peterson (7-4 ERA 2.83) with a 4:10pm PT first pitch at Citi Field in New York.

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

Giants fall under .500 for first time this season with 2-1 loss to Pirates and season could be lost cause

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San Francisco Giants designated hitter Rafael Devers heads back to the dugout after flying out in the bottom of the eighth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Wed Jul 30, 2025 (AP News photo)

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Pittsburgh Pirates 2 (47-62)

San Francisco Giants 1 (54-55)

Win: Isaac Matson (3-1)

Loss: Ryan Walker (2-4)

Time: 2:41

Attendance: 38,144

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–The Giants, who were 12 games over .500 on June 12, have just been swept by the Pirates with a 2-1 10-inning loss Wednesday afternoon after wasting another strong start by Logan Webb, and have fallen all the way to under .500 (54-55) for the first time this season, as the Giants suddenly now appear prepared to kick the tires on this season.

There is no way to sugarcoat it; this homestand and the second half thus far have been an absolute nightmare. The Giants came into today looking to avoid their first 0-6 homestand since 1896. That’s right; not 1996, 1896, before the modern era of baseball when Grover Cleveland was president.

The Giants have dropped 11 of their last 13, and have fallen from 12 games over .500 on June 13, all the to .500, and faced falling under .500 for the first time this season with a loss today. Thursday is also the Trade Deadline in Baseball, which meant Wednesday was the final day to determine who’s contending and who’s not. To be blunt: Wednesday was a must-win.

The Giants once again turned to Logan Webb to be the stopper. The Giants needed a strong performance from Webb, who was coming off a pair of rough starts to open the second half. 

Webb worked in and out of jams through the first five innings on July 19 in Toronto, but he ran into a brick wall, as the Blue Jays got to him for four runs in the bottom of the sixth. He then got torched by the Mets for six runs this past Friday.

The sun did everything it could to peak through the peaceful blanket of fog over Oracle Park this afternoon. It was great weather for pitching, and that was good news for Webb, who wiggled his way out of a couple of jams early on and looked more like his normal self

Unfortunately, it was the worst weather for the Giants’ faltering offense. Pirates’ starter Mike Burrows retired the first nine men he faced Wednesday, and we had ourselves a pitcher’s duel.

Early in the game, the Giants traded their longtime submariner, Tyler Rogers, the third-longest tenured Giant, to the New York Mets for reliever Jose Butto and a pair of prospects. This was a shocking move and a sign that the Giants are going to be sellers at the deadline tomorrow.

The Giants already came into Wednesday’s game at risk of falling under .500 for the first time this season. Now with the fact that they were ready to start selling, today suddenly felt like a last-ditch effort for the 2025 San Francisco Giants.

The Giants desperately needed something to go their way, and they got it in the bottom of the fourth. Heliot Ramos and Willy Adames both got base-hits, and the Giants had runners at first and second with two outs for Dominic Smith. Smith got a fastball right down the pipe, and lined it to right field for a base-hit. Ramos scored, and the Giants struck first.

Hey, the Giants finally got a line-drive base-hit with a runner in scoring position. They did a lot of that early in the season, and that is precisely what carried them to their 24-14 start. Jung Hoo Lee finally went the other way after trying to pull the ball the last several weeks, but it was right into the glove of the diving Jack Suwinski in left.

The Pirates had a response against Webb in the top of the fifth. Isaiah Kiner-Falefa lined an opposite-field base-hit to right to lead off the inning, and Spencer Horwitz followed that up with a double into the gap in right-center to tie it.

The Pirates then loaded the bases one out, and were threatening to do more. However, Webb got Nick Gonzales to hit a chopper back to the mound that Webb used to start a one to two to three double play, and he got out of it with the game still tied.

Burrows threw another one, two, three inning in the bottom of the fifth, and after Henry Davis singled with one out in the top of the sixth, Webb was done. Spencer Bivens then came in and retired the next two to end the inning.

Webb gave up five hits and walked four over five and a third innings, but he gave up just a run and struck out 11. Unfortunately, the Giants’ offense did what they’ve always done, and gave Webb very little support.

Burrows ended up giving up three hits, walking one and striking out seven over six innings.

The game fittingly went extra innings, and Ryan Walker took the ball for the top of the tenth. Oneil Cruz started the inning as the ghost runner runner at second and got to third on a ground out by Nick Gonzales. Jack Suwinski walked, and that brought up Henry Davis.

Davis hit a chopper back to the mound, and Walker had Oneil dead to rights between third base and home plate. However, for whatever reason Walker tried to turn a double play, and he failed to get Suwinski at second. Oneil scored, and the Pirates had the lead.

The Giants were three outs away from falling under .500 for the first time this season. Isaac Mattson, who had pitched a scoreless bottom of the ninth, was back out for the bottom of the tenth. 

Lee was the ghost runner at second, and the Giants caught a break, as Casey Schmitt hit a blooper to left that Suwinski lost in the sun. Mike Yastrzemski then laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to move the runners up to second and third.

It felt as if the Giants were mounting one last rally to try and save what many believe was going to be a magical season. Patrick Bailey took three-straight out of the zone to work a 3-0 count, but in typical fashion for this team, Bailey struck out. Heliot Ramos was the last hope, and he too struck out to end the game.

Fittingly, the Giants completely wasted their last-ditch rally, and they indeed lost to fall under .500 for the first time this season.

Isaac Mattson got the win, and Ryan Walker took the loss.

The Giants have now dropped 12 of their last 14 games, and they have gone 13-26 since June 12, the worst record in all of Baseball during that stretch. 

The Giants’ record is now 54-55, and with the Padres completing a sweep of the Mets down in San Diego today, the Giants are now six games back of the Padres for the third wild card.

The Giants will have the deadline off Thursday, as they will head back out on the road for a road trip that will mimic this homestand, with three in New York against the Mets, and three in Pittsburgh against the Pirates.

The Giants have yet to announce their starters for their series at Citi Field this weekend, and we may not even know what this team will look like after Thursday. At this point, the only thing I can say for sure is that if the Giants want to make a run at this thing, it will take a miracle.

First pitch on Friday will be at 7:10 p.m. in Queens, 4:10 p.m. back home in San Francisco.

Giants News and Notes:

  • The two prospects the Giants received for Tyler Rogers are right-handed pitcher Blade Tidwell and outfielder Drew Gilbert. Both could feasibly be ready to be called up to the big leagues as soon as this season.
  • It’s also being reported that Giants’ closer Camilo Doval could be available to be traded before Thursday. It is a pretty clear signal that they are truly preparing to sell and start focusing on the future.
  • Mike Yastrzemski made what may have been the catch of the year for the Giants in the top of the eighth, as he ran a long way towards the right field line to catch a foul ball off the bat of Jack Suwinski, and was able to come up with it, as he bounced into the netting over the side wall.

It is quite unfortunate that this catch couldn’t have been part of the story of a much-needed win for the Giants.

Final Thoughts:

In 2022, the Giants were 10 games over .500 after a win in Pittsburgh on June 18. They then collapsed and fell all the way to eight games under .500 on Sept. 18. Though they did go on a tear to make it to play a meaningful game in the fifth-to-final game of the season on Oct. 1, and they ended up going 81-81. 

In 2023, the Giants were 13 games over .500 after winning the resumption of a suspended game on July 19. They suffered a massive collapse in the final two months of the season, and finished under .500 at 79-83

Here in 2025, the Giants went from 12 games over .500 on June 13, all the way to a game under .500 today. What looked to be a bounceback season for the Giants after three-straight mediocre seasons is now about to be their fourth-straight mediocre season.

It’s technically not over yet. The Giants are six games back of the Padres for the third wild card spot with 53 games to go, and mathematically, they still have a lot of opportunities. Baseball is a weird game, and this Giants’ team is certainly capable of winning 15 of their next 20 games to surge back into the race.

Buster Posey built this team around doing a little bit of everything. They hit home runs; they played situational baseball; they played small ball; they even stole bases; and they pitched and played defense. That’s why they got off to their 24-14 start.

Then for whatever reason, they revived the failed Farhan Zaidi strategy of relying on home runs, and they completely fell apart. It makes absolutely no sense, and I truly have no idea why they did that. Maybe they were pressing. I don’t know.

Really, all it took was the Giants going back to playing the way they did in Spring Training in April. It wasn’t rocket science.

Unfortunately, the Giants could never truly get it going again, and just 22 days after one of the most magical wins in Giants’ history, they suddenly now appear ready to focus on next season.

I still felt like the Giants could make a run, but this mediocre core is not a viable long-term strategy, and they’re going to get old in a couple of years. They need to develop guys around it to make it a stronger core. 

Buster inherited one of the worst farm systems in all of Baseball from Farhan, and he needed to start building it and preparing for the future. Blade Tidwell and Drew Gilbert are a good start, and the Giants could get even more for Camilo Doval.

It is unclear whether Buster is buying and selling, or strictly selling, though it seems to be the latter. Robbie Ray could also nab some good prospects, and the Giants would be wise to deal him if they are truly selling.

They still can compete over the next few years as they build the farm system, and I imagine that is what Buster has in mind. The Giants’ top prospect, Bryce Eldridge, should be up next season, and Helliot Ramos will be entering his prime. A trio of Eldridge, Ramos and Jung Hoo Lee could be akin to that of Barry Bonds, Jeff Kent and Ellis Burks in 2000.

I still wouldn’t rule out a miracle for this season, but that is quite unlikely. This has been a disappointing season, but if the Giants truly want to return to winning baseball next season, changes need to be made. 

The one positive you can take out of this collapse is that those necessary changes will be made, and that the future is about to get a whole lot better.