San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello heads out of the dugout to make a pitching change in the top of the sixth inning against the New York Yankees at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sat Mar 28, 2026 (AP News photo)
Saturday, March 28, 2026
Oracle Park
San Francisco, California
New York Yankees 3 (3-0)
San Francisco Giants 1 (0-3)
Win: Jake Bird (1-0)
Loss: Tyler Mahle (0-1)
Save: David Bednar (2)
Time: 2:46
Attendance: 40,634
By Stephen Ruderman
SAN FRANCISCO–The Yankees have swept the Giants to open the season, as the Giants wasted three crucial opportunities, and the Yankees won 3-1, but hey, at least the Giants finally got their first run.
After being shut out in their first two games, I imagine a lot of Giants’ fans—well, at least this writer—didn’t have much faith that Saturday would be that much better. Though, I admit: the pregame performance by the Giants’ new mariachi band made things a little bit better at the beginning.
Tyler Mahle, who did not give up a single run over 10 innings during Spring Training, made the start, and his official Giants’ debut Saturday. Mahle survived a two-out triple by Cody Bellinger in the top of the first, and the Giants’ reshuffled lineup came up against Will Warren in the bottom of the first.
Warren retired the first two men he faced, but Luis Arraez, now in the three-hole in the lineup, singled over the mound. Rafael Devers then made a two-strike adjustment, and fisted a base-hit the other way to left. The Giants had runners at first and second for Heliot Ramos. Warren got out ahead to a 1-2 count, but Ramos started battling. Meanwhile, Arraez caught Ryan McMahon napping at third base, and stole third without a pitch. Ramos fouled off four two-strike pitches, and worked the count full. However, Warren got Ramos to go up the ladder on a high fastball—Reggie Sanders style—on the 10th pitch of the at-bat, and the Giants wasted a massive opportunity.
After the Giants wasted a big opportunity in the bottom of the first in the season opener on Wednesday, the Yankees responded with five runs in the top of the second. Thankfully, that would not be the case Saturday. However, the Yankees did score a pair of runs off Mahle in the top of the third on a two-out double by Ben Rice.
Some people wanted to attribute those two runs to Luis Arraez. Many people believed Arraez should have been able to get to Cody Bellinger’s a base-hit a batter before, which he dove for. Despite his impressive hitting abilities, Arraez is not exactly known for his defense, and that was definitely a risk in signing him. A lot of people are going to overreact to Arraez’s defense, but his work with Ron Washington has paid off. Me personally? I believe people are overreacting here.
Anyway, It looked like the Yankees were going to get a third run on a base-hit to left by Giancarlo Stanton, but Ramos cut Rice down at the plate with a great throw to end the inning. That gave the Giants some momentum going to the bottom of the third.
Jung Hoo Lee lined a double down the right field line to lead off the bottom of the third. Matt Chapman then lined a base-hit to left-center field, and at long last, the San Francisco Giants finally had their first run of the 2026 Season. That was the lone run the Giants would score in the bottom of the third, but hey, it’s a start!
Mahle was done after he threw a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the fourth. Mahle had thrown 80 pitches, and there was every reason to believe that he could have gone out for another injury. With his injury history over the last couple of years, it’s understandable that Tony took him out. Mahle gave up the two runs in the third, and five hits. He walked one, and struck out five.
Ryan Borucki came in for the top of the fifth, and with two outs, Judge hit his second home run of the series—and season—to make it 3-1.
One thing I have noticed with Tony is that he seems to like to make pitching changes. Very Felipe Alou-esque. I guess that’s why the Giants gave him number 23. He certainly likes to get his relievers a lot of work. Matt Gage, Keaton Winn, Erik Miller, JT Brubaker and Ryan Walker all pitched Saturday.
Though, the bullpen has been the biggest positive to start the season. They continued its nice start Saturday, as they gave up just a run and two hits over five innings.
The Giants wasted another massive opportunity in the bottom of the sixth, and then they would have one more opportunity in the bottom of the ninth.
Aaron Boone brought in his closer, David Bednar, for the bottom of the ninth. Ramos, who was truly the player of the game for the Giants today, used ABS to work a leadoff walk. Willy Adames finally got his first hit of the season with a single to left, and the Giants had runners at first and second with nobody out for Bader.
Well, let’s just say that Bader struck out, and that Patrick Bailey rolled over to second for a game-ending 6-4-3 double play.
And there you have it, the Yankees have swept the Giants. By the way, the Yankees have swept the Giants in the last three series they have played here at Oracle Park. 2019, 2024 and now here in 2026.
Though, look on the bright side! The last time the Giants were swept to open the season was 2012 in Arizona, and they went on to win the World Series that year. Hey, good omen!!!
Seriously though, one run through the first three games is a brutal and embarrassing way to open the season. The guy we need to talk about here is Willy Adames. He is 1-for-11 with five strikeouts to open the season. I get that players go through their slumps, but Adames refuses to make two-strike adjustments. That has to change.
Jung Hoo Lee, Matt Chapman, Patrick Bailey and Casey Schmitt are also off to rough starts. Lee finally got his first hit today, but Bailey and Schmitt remain hitless.
Another thing I have noticed with Tony is that he is still in his college mindset. From his pitching changes, to his do-or-die intensity in the opening series of the year, the guy is having his inevitable growing pains. He is going to have to learn to adjust to the big leagues. As I said Friday, with the Giants’ struggling offense, their tough schedule and Tony’s growing pains, the first two weeks are not going to be pretty.
Jake Bird got the win; Tyler Mahle got the loss; and David Bednar picked up his second save.
Oh, and before I forget, the Giants out-hit the Yankees Saturday. There’s another positive.
The Giants have a day off Sunday they will spend Saturday night in San Diego after a late-night flight. Then, the Giants will start a three-game series against the Padres at Petco Park on Monday night. RHP Landen Roupp will make his Giants’ debut on Monday Roupp will be opposed by the Padres RHP Walker Buehler.
I will say this as a way to make us all feel better. The Yankees are just a good team. The Padres have been a mess. They are now on their fourth manager in the last seven years in Craig Stammen, and their bullpen has taken a big step back. Perhaps, the Giants can come out of San Diego with a win or two. We’ll just have to wait and see.
First pitch on Monday will be at 6:40 p.m.
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