Tag: San Francisco Giants

Giants Lose Game Two To Toronto 6-3; Jays Barger’s 4 hits helps extend home win streak to 9 games; SF’s Webb touched up for 11 hits 4 runs in loss

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The San Francisco Giants Luis Matos (29) slide in safely under Toronto Blue Jays catcher Tyler Heineman (55) in the top of the sixth inning at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Sat Jul 19, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (52-47) lost game two to the Toronto Blue Jays (57-41) now trailing in the series 2-0. The Blue Jays had four run innings in both games to win the second of this series 6-3.

Toronto was offensively on fire with every player in their lineup coming away with at least one hit and Addison Barger did a whole lot of damage with four hits.

It was a tough pill to swallow for San Francisco with only four hit in the game. The Giants had their ace Logan Webb on the mound but he all fell apart in the sixth inning when the Blue Jays scored the four runs.

Game recap: Both pitchers breezed through the first four innings. The Giants went three and out in the first four innings. The Blue Jays also struggled but they did manage three hits, a walk and Tyler Heineman was hit by a pitch. They did have a great opportunity in the second inning with a couple of singles and a walk but came up empty.

The Giants were first up on the scoreboard in the fifth inning. Willy Adames hit a home run to center, a solo shot for a 1-0 lead. San Francisco would score again in the sixth inning to extend their lead to 2-0. A Heliot Ramos sacrifice drove Luis Ruiz home and the Giants with only three hits in this game had taken full advantage of the few runners reaching base in the game.

The sixth inning was another good one for the Blue Jays. Yesterday they had a four-run second inning and today another four-run inning in the sixth. taking a 4-2 lead. A couple of singles and three doubles later Toronto had put away a great inning. Addison Barger, Will Wagner and Tyler Heineman all hit doubles and Bo Bichette and Ernie Clement had singles in a huge inning for the Blue Jays.

San Francisco pushed back scoring a run in the seventh inning making this game closer trailing 3-4. Willie Adames hit a solo home run, his second of the game. With only four hits in this game San Francisco needed runners on base and while home runs are great, solo home runs only bring in a single score home. With hits few and far between for San Francisco, coming from behind is not easy with the absence of multiple runs.

Toronto capped this game off with a Tyler Heineman home run with Myles Straw on base for a 6-3 lead and that would be the final.

The Giants now trail in this series losing the first two games. They had 11 hits Friday and couldn’t even score a single run and Saturday finished with only four hits and managed three runs but it was just not enough.

The Giants have had trouble this year hitting off lefties. San Francisco allowed four run innings in both games and could not respond with runs of their own. The good start in this game for the Giants paled as the game went on.

Game notes: It was a new day for the Giants and San Francisco was looking to make it a good day but once again couldn’t overcome. Friday they suffered a disappointing loss against the Jays in game one despite having 11 hits but they just could not manufacture any runs.

San Francisco pitcher Justin Verlander who has had an awful time this season was pulled after 2 2/3 innings and dropped is win loss record to 0-8 Friday night. The Giants struggled at the plate Saturday scoring only three runs on only four hits.

The Giants sure had enough hits (11) in Friday’s game to have won the game but didn’t. Webb on Saturday gave up 11 hits and four runs. The Giants offense could only produce three runs and San Francisco fell three run short of the Blue Jays.

Sunday the Giants will be looking to avoid a sweep. They will be counting on Robbie Ray to be a part of a win in the third game of this series. He has a 9-3 win/loss record and a 2.65 ERA, The Blue Jays will start Jose Berrios who has a 5-4 win/loss record and a 3.75 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 9:05 AM PT.

Verlander gets lit up in second inning still looking for first win; Blue Jays Bassitt was dealing shutout Giants 4-0

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With two out in the bottom of the third that was all for San Francisco Giant starter Justin Verlander (35) who exited the mound against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Fri Jul 18, 2025 ( Canadian Press via AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (52-46) just could not get going despite 11 hits in game one of their series with the Toronto Blue Jays (56-41) losing 4-0 Friday night at Rogers Centre. The Giants consistently left runners stranded and Justin Verlander only lasted 2 2/3 innings giving up nine hits and four runs. It was not the way they wanted to get started after the All-Star Break. They will be back at it Saturday in game two looking to even the series.

Game recap: The Blue Jays got to work early taking a 4-0 lead in the second inning. San Francisco had opportunity to do some damage with six hits in the game but Toronto with nine hits was the team cashing in.

Joey Loperfido doubled to get the game going in the second and Addison Barger scored for a 1-0 lead. Will Wagner came to the plate and he also doubled driving in base runners Alejandro Kirk and Loperfido home for a 3-0 lead.

Nathan Lukes finished off the inning with a single and Wagner scored for a 4-0 lead. It was a brief showing for San Francisco starting pitcher Verlander who did not go very far into the game. He was relieved after 2 2/3 innings allowing nine hits, four runs, two walks with zero strikeouts. He was relieved by Tristan Beck.

San Francisco got a single out of Patrick Bailey in the fifth inning but that would be all they could manage. Dominic Smith flied out and both Mike Yastrzemski and Heliot Ramos struck out to end the top of the inning.

The game went into the sixth inning with the Blue Jays still holding onto the 4-0 lead. This was an important inning for the Giants to get something going. First at bat for the Giants was Rafael Devers who doubled deep into center field.

Matt Chapman grounded out and Devers advanced to third. With Jung Hoo Lee at the plate and two outs, San Francisco needed to bring Devers home. Lee grounded out and despite eight hits in the game the Giants still had not gotten up on the scoreboard.

San Francisco got a rally going in the sevent inning with Smith and Bailey both singling with one out and that was it for Toronto pitcher Chris Bassitt. He was relieved by lefty Brendon Little. Neither team was able to score in the seventh or eighth inning and the Blue Jays took the 4-0 lead into the ninth inning. San Francisco was down to their last three outs in the ninth.

Casey Schmitt struck out, Dominic Smith struck out and Bailey made it a threesome also striking out and that was the ball game 4-0 in favor of Toronto.

Game notes: The Giants have had a a four-day stretch during the All-Star break to rest and reset going into their series with the Jays. They now look forward to the remainder of the 2025 season as they battle to climb up in the standings of the National League West.

They are currently in third place one and a half games behind the second place San Diego Padres. The Blue Jays continue to hang onto first place in the American League East three games ahead of the New York Yankees in a loaded division.

Verlander got shelled early in the game and dropped his season record to a 0-8 win/loss record looking at another loss and still searching for that first win of the season. Bassett had an outing for the Jays in the starting role pitching 6.1 innings allowing ten hits but no runs and striking out five hitters.

San Francisco had numerous scoring opportunities but came up empty despite 11 hits in the game. Verlander got the game going in the wrong direction and it was all downhill from there.

Saturday at Roger Centre the Giants will be looking to even up the series in game two. First pitch is scheduled for 12:07 PM PT. The Giants will start RHP Logan Webb (9-6, 2.94 ERA). The Blue Jays probable pitcher will be Eric Lauer with a 4-2 win/loss record and a 2.78 ERA. The break that the Giants got over this week did not seem to help and they will hopefully have an improved effort in Saturday’s game.

San Francisco Giants Podcast with Michael Villanueva: Giants are back from All-Star break

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San Francisco Giants president Buster Posey was urging fans to be patient with Giants designated hitter Rafael Devers who is seen here hitting a two run home run against his former team the Boston Red Sox on Sat Jun 21, 2025 at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

#1 Michael what are your first-half grades for the Giants in pitching, hitting, defense, and coaching? Then what would you grade the team overall, and expectations for the remainder of the season?

#2 On the recent Murph & Markus podcast on KNBR, Buster Posey urged fans to ‘be patient’ with Rafael Devers as he adjusts to life in the Bay Area — What gives you faith that Devers will live up to the expectations, and what should fans reasonably expect through the second half?

#3 The Giants selected Tennessee infielder Gavin Kilen 13th overall in the Draft. Michael what about his profile excites you the most: his bat-to-ball contact, defensive flexibility, or his baseball skills? How do you see him fitting into the system in the next 2-3 years?

#4 The 2025 All-Star Game in Atlanta was the first to utilize the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system in a Midsummer Classic, with four out of five challenges overturned. NL manager Dave Roberts called it ‘excellent’ for player participation. Michael what were some of your thoughts on this and some other changes and how this can change the game in the future?

#5 The San Francisco Giants return to action today, opening a series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Justin Verlander takes the mound for San Francisco, still looking for his first win of the season despite a 0-7 record and a 4.70 ERA. He’ll face Toronto’s Chris Bassitt, who is 9-4 with a 4.12 ERA. This is the first match between the two clubs this season, with the first pitch set for 4:07 PM.

Join Michael Villanueva for the Giants podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Former Giants General Managing Partner and Chief Executive Officer Bill Neukom passed away today at the age of 83

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Former San Francisco Giants managing partner Bill Neukom has passed away at 83 on Thu Jul 17, 2025 (San Francisco Chronicle photo)

By Stephen Ruderman

Bill Neukom first purchased a stake in the Giants in 1995, and then took over as Managing Partner and CEO for Peter Magowan following the 2008 season. Neukom was at the helm of the Giants’ organization for just three seasons, but they were far from uneventful for such a short stint.

Neukom took over after the Giants had suffered through four-consecutive losing seasons, and made a point to invest in the players and the team on the field. In Newukom’s first season as CEO in 2009, the Giants contended and had their first winning season in five years going 88-74, and missing the playoffs by just four games.

Of course in 2010, the Giants won their first world championship since moving out west to San Francisco in 1958. It was the franchise’s first title since 1954, which ended what was the third-longest championship drought in baseball at the time.

Unfortunately, as glorious as the magic of 2010 was, 2011 was the exact opposite for Neukom. The Giants had their third straight winning season, as they went 86-76, but they were marred by injuries, which caused them to miss the playoffs.

Throughout the 2011 season, tensions arose between Neukom and other owners about how to spend the championship revenue money. Neukom wanted to invest it in technology for the players, while other owners wanted to put it towards a rainy day fund.

On Sept. 14, 2011, it was announced that Neukom would step down from the team following the end of the season with Larry Baer taking his place as CEO. The Giants would win two more titles in 2012 and 2014 under Baer’s watch, but Neukom certainly planted the seeds for the Giants’ success from their entire run from 2009 to 2016.

Prior to becoming CEO of the Giants, Neukom enjoyed a long run with Microsoft, eventually becoming their Executive Vice President. In fact, Neukom started with Microsoft at the very beginning when they had just 12 employees.

Neukom was also a lawyer, and was even the President of the American Bar Association from August 2007 to August 2008. He also co-founded the World Justice Project in 2006, which works to advance the rule of law throughout the world.

San Francisco Giants podcast: Neukom help build the 2010 World Series team which led to other World Championships for SF

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Former San Francisco Giants managing partner Bill Neukom passed away at age 83 on Thu Jul 17, 2025. Neukom was key in leading the Giants to the 2010 World Championship and was said to be the team’s success of winning two more World Series in 2012 and 2014 despite being removed as the managing partner after the 2010 season. Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants receives his World Series ring from managing partner Bill Neukom before his game against the St. Louis Cardinals at AT&T Park on April 9, 2011, in San Francisco. (Getty file photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 Michael talk about how much former Giants general managing partner Bill Neukom who passed away at 83 meant to the San Francisco Giants organization when he took over in 2010.

#2 Neukom was popular with the Giants employees well liked and got the Giants going in the right direction.

#3 After Neukom took over the franchise the Giants won their first World Series in 2010 their first since moving to San Francisco from New York in 1958.

#4 Neukom was hard to miss staining six foot four inches and wearing a orange and black bow tie keeping with the Giants team colors.

#5 Neukom ended up being forced out after Neukom’s fellow co owners complained that Neukom was spending money and reportedly not communicating with his co owners about such expenditures. It was said that Neukom was one of the main reasons why the Giants won World Series in not only 2010 but 2012 and 2014 as well.

Michael Duca is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic: How Giants look going into the second half of the season

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San Francisco Giants Luis Matos connects for a two run home run in the bottom of the ninth to tie up the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun Jul 13, 2025 (photo by San Francisco Giants)

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic:

#1 Marko tough loss for the San Francisco Giants after getting behind to the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-0 they got a brief reprieve when pinch hitter Luis Matos slugged first pitch two run home run in the last of the ninth inning to tie the game 2-2 only to lose it on three runs in the top of the 11th inning.

#2 Giants All Star Robbie Ray was looking for his tenth win of the first half of the season pitching six innings, allowing three hits, two runs both earned, two walks and six strikeouts. A hard effort but he just didn’t get enough run support.

#3 Ray will not pitch in the All Star Game after pitching here on Sunday did you see that being a tough decision for Ray passing up the opportunity to pitch in the All Star Game?

#4 The Giants Luis Matos made the best of it tying the game up in the bottom of the ninth inning with a two run home run. Rafael Devers had a good opportunity to win it when he hit one in the bottom of the tenth and a ghost runner on second that would have won it but it got flagged down by Dodger centerfielder James Outman and kept the Dodgers alive who scored three times in the top of the 11th to get the 5-2 win.

#5 Giants head into the All Star Break with a record of 52-44 and return to the second half of the season in Toronto for three games starting Fri Jul 18th.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Some Players are never Happy

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San Francisco Giants hitter Willy Adames flies out to second in the ninth inning against the Sacramento A’s at Sutter Health Park at West Sacramento on Sat Jul 5, 2025. Adames also stated on Sun July 13, 2025 that there were more Dodger fans than Giants fans at Oracle Park in San Francisco. (AP News photo)

Some Players are never Happy.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

While in Sacramento A’s pitcher Luis Severino complains about Sutter Health Park the home of his 2025 ballclub for this whole season and maybe for the next two years, plus also the park so far has not brought him the victories he was expecting.

Meanwhile, 80 miles away at Oracle Park in San Francisco the home of the Giants, shortstop Willy Adames was not happy with the crowd at Oracle Park during the last game Sunday against the Dodgers which the Giants lost 5-2.

Adames said (quote) “too many Dodgers fans”. And although he acknowledged the energy of the crowd and said it felt like a playoff atmosphere, he also said he “would prefer a stronger presence for the Giants fans”.

Oracle Park was sold out during these games, and the Sunday game, which was not televised on their regular Comcast Bay Area channel, aired nationwide on MLB Network. It looked like there were more fans in blue than orange.

It is impossible to say precisely how many were Dodgers fans; tickets are counted the game was sold out at 41,048, but what is not counted is which fan is rooting for which team.

But that is part of the fun of baseball. You buy a ticket, and you could be dressed as a chicken, you still can root for whatever team you want to root for. The Los Angeles Dodgers had their longest losing streak since September with a seven-game losing streak in July 2025.

This skid is their worst since the 11-game losing streak they experienced in 2017. However, the Dodgers lost the first game of this three-game series but won two games and left the Golden Gate still in first place, now six games ahead of the Giants, who dropped to third place.

Most people making the money these MLB players make would be more than happy. But Major League players, are privileged and spoiled souls, they travel and stay at the Ritz Carlton and other 5-star luxury hotels, travel charter, everything is done for them, they get $150 just for per-diem, for each day they stay away from home.

When you go on a trip you pack your bag(s) at home and you do not see that luggage until you arrive at the hotel and is already inside your room for a series of games on that city. Everything is done for you, your team traveling secretary can accommodate sometimes for complimentary tickets on the road for family and acquaintances.

I know because I have traveled with team charters. So it is truly a privilege life, and sometimes the more you get the more spoiled you become, and that is they case for some players in Major League Baseball, that even complaining of the fans at home that aren’t even your fans, kind of bothers you. Such in life in the Big Leagues.

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

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

Giants Allow The Dodgers To Breathe in 5-2 Loss That Concludes the Season’s First Half

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San Francisco Giant starter Robbie Ray pitched six innings allowing three hits and two runs and six strikeouts against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun July 13, 2025 (Bay Area News Group photo)

By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO–Needing a big win, the Giants instead got another reminder that their struggling offense needs a break.

That break comes over the next five days for the All-Star festivities in Atlanta after they squandered an opportunity to tighten the race in the NL West with a 5-2 loss in 11 innings to the first-place Dodgers.

The Giants conclude the first 96 games of the season with a competitive 52-44 record that has them in position to grab one of the six NL playoff spots. But their .230 team batting average ranks 26th of 30 teams, and serves as a constant reminder the season could go south quickly.

“We have some guys that are coming around a little bit,” manger Bob Melvin said of his team’s offense. “We have some guys that will come around a little bit more. We have some guys in the middle of the lineup that are going to do more damage.”

“I think the win-loss, the standings are great,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “But I think there’s just a lot of improvement that we need to do, we need to be better at.”

On Sunday, in front of a sold out Oracle Park crowd, the Giants went scoreless over the first eight innings only to be rescued by Luis Matos’ game-tying, pinch-hit home run. After starter Yoshinobo Yamamoto and crafty reliever Alex Vesia manipulated the Giants into a string of outs, Matos gave the home team unexpected life. But they barely breathed, going hitless the rest of the game.

Robbie Ray was All-Star worthy, allowing just two runs in six innings, but he got no support. That lack of help prevented Ray from gaining a 10th victory before the All-Star break. Ray expertly avoided Shohei Ohtani and allowed just three hits, but departed trailing 2-0. Miguel Rojas surprised Ray with his home run in the fifth that increased the Dodgers’ lead.

The two extra frames offered a baseball-only juxtaposition with the Dodgers stringing together three hits despite all coming off weak contact to plate three runs. Meanwhile, the Giants were denied when Rafael Devers’ rocket to center in the 10th was tracked down by James Outman.

“Ball 106 mph off the bat there,” Melvin recounted. “They hit balls like what 40 mph in the last inning? It’s just the way it is sometimes.”

Spencer Bivens took the loss despite retiring Mookie Betts and Will Smith after the decision was made to walk Ohtani to leadoff the inning. Ben Casparius got the win despite almost getting victimized by Devers.

The Giants open the season’s second half in Toronto against the AL East-leading Blue Jays on Friday night.

During the game’s final inning the Giants selected Tennessee Volunteers’ shortstop Gaven Kilen with the 13th overall pick of the 2025 MLB Draft.

San Francisco Giants podcast Morris Phillips: Giants can’t quite close first half with a win against Dodgers

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San Francisco Giants pinch hitter Luis Matos two run home run in the ninth inning celebration would be short lived Matos tied the game up but the Los Angeles Dodgers would come back in the the top of the 11th inning with three runs to defeat the Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun Jul 13, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Morris Phillips:

#1 Morris tough loss for the San Francisco Giants after getting behind to the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-0 they got a brief reprieve when pinch hitter Luis Matos slugged first pitch two run home run in the last of the ninth inning to tie the game 2-2 only to lose it on three runs in the top of the 11th inning.

#2 Giants All Star Robbie Ray was looking for his tenth win of the first half of the season pitching six innings, allowing three hits, two runs both earned, two walks and six strikeouts. A hard effort but he just didn’t get enough run support.

#3 Ray will not pitch in the All Star Game after pitching here on Sunday did you see that being a tough decision for Ray passing up the opportunity to pitch in the All Star Game?

#4 The Giants Luis Matos made the best of it tying the game up in the bottom of the ninth inning with a two run home run. Rafael Devers had a good opportunity to win it when he hit one in the bottom of the tenth and a ghost runner on second that would have won it but it got flagged down by Dodger centerfielder James Outman and kept the Dodgers alive who scored three times in the top of the 11th to get the 5-2 win.

#5 Giants head into the All Star Break with a record of 52-44 and return to the second half of the season in Toronto for three games starting Fri Jul 18th.

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

San Francisco Giants podcast Augie Mesenburg: Ray, Rodriguez and Webb All Stars in Atlanta

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Robbie Ray seen pitching against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field for the San Francisco Giants back on Thu Jul 3, 2025 will not pitch in the 2025 All Star in Atlanta but will be there to represent the Giants (AP file photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Augie Mesenburg:

#1 San Francisco Giants starter Robbie Ray along with pitchers Logan Webb and Randy Rodriguez will represent the Giants at the All Star Game in Atlanta. We’ll start with Ray he’s in the top ten of the best ERA in the National League at 2.63.

#2 Ray made a start Sunday and will not pitch in the All Star game. Ray wanted to pitch in this one against the Los Angeles Dodgers and try and pick up his tenth win.

#3 Ray is the first pitcher since 2021 to have double digit wins in the first half of a season since former Giant Anthony DeSlafani did it with ten wins.

#4 Logan Webb has had a numerous amount of success this season he nearly finished the first half with ten wins he’s at 9-6 and an ERA at 2.94 and won his most recent game against the Dodgers 8-7 on Friday night here at Oracle Park.

#5 Reliever Randy Rodriguez is having himself a first half he’s allowed only one run at Oracle Park and has a 0.42 ERA in the 20 games pitched at home. Rodriguez’s 0.89 is the lowest amongst relievers in MLB.

Augie Mesenburg is a reporter for 1080 KWAI Honolulu and is a podcast contributor for http://www.sportsradioservice.com