Tag: San Francisco Giants

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.

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman: Giants looking to end five game losing streak Wednesday against Bucs

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San Francisco Giants Willy Adames (2) and Matt Chapman (26) jump for joy over Adame’s solo shot in the bottom of the fourth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Tue Jul 29, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman:

#1 The Giants on a five game skid took tough rough loses to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday and Tuesday and the Giants trying to rebound and end the five game loss streak this afternoon.

#2 Do you see Rafael Devers getting some more reps at first base last few games he’s back at the DH and the Giants have Dominic Smith at first.

#3 The Giants 3-12 at (.200) is San Francisco’s worst in the Majors since July 9th.

#4 The Giants are five games back of the last Wild Card spot which is held by the San Diego Padres who are 59-49 with Reds and Cardinals ahead of the Padres. Giants have a lot of work in front of them in order to get back into the hunt.

#5 Pirates and Giants conclude this three game series this afternoon. The Pirates can sweep the three game set today the Giants could avoid the sweep picking up a win and snapping their five game skid starters for the contest the Bucs are going with RHP Mike Burrows (1-3 ERA 4.15) and for the Giants RHP Logan Webb (9-8, ERA 3.38)

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

Verlander shines, Giants bats stymied as they fall to Pirates 3-1

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By Vince Cestone

SAN FRANCISCO–The San Francisco Giants mustered only 2 hits, wasting a strong Justin Verlander start, falling to the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-1 on Tuesday night at Oracle Park.

With the Giants’ seventh-straight loss at Oracle Park, they fell five games out of the Wild Card race. With the trade deadline only two days away, it’s going to be hard for the Giants to justify buying.

San Francisco opened the scoring in the fourth inning, with a solo home run from the hot-hitting Willy Adames. After a horrendous first half, Adames smashed his seventh home run of July.

The Giants were up 1-0. They finally were ahead first, but then the mistakes happened.

Rewind to the first inning. Giants had runners at first and second with one out, when third baseman Matt Chapman hit a popup on the infield. The infield fly rule was called, but left fielder Heliot Ramos got caught between second and third. Rally killed there.

But it was the eighth inning where weirdness happened. With one on and one out and the scored tied at one, Pirates left fielder Tommy Pham hit an infield dribbler that Rogers fielded as he ran towards the third-base line. Rogers couldn’t get a grip on the ball and the runner was safe.

On the very next play, a ground ball to second turned ugly off the bat of Pirates third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes. Giants second baseman Casey Schmitt fielded the ball but his throw hit Hayes as he approached first base. Rogers appeared to be looking at second base instead of the incoming throw.

Then, with the bases loaded, former Giants catcher Joey Bart singled on a grounder to left field, giving the Pirates a 2-1 lead. A lead they would not give back.

Before the eighth-inning chaos, the Pirates tied the game on a fifth-inning solo home run by ninth-place hitter Liover Peguero.

Lost in the weirdness of the late innings, was a great start by Verlander. He went five innings, giving up just 6 hits, one run, one walk, while amassing seven strikeouts.

Despite the defensive miscues, the Giants’ lack of offensive is forcing them to play perfect baseball, which is hard for any team to do. And it doesn’t help when their big trade acquisition Rafael Devers went 0-for-4 in the game and is hitless in his last 14 at-bats.

The Giants will try to get right on Wednesday in the series finale against the Pirates. Giants ace Logan Webb (9-8, 3.38 ERA) will take on Pirates’ pitcher Mike Burrows (1-3, 4.15 ERA) at 12:45 p.m. at Oracle Park.

Time is running out for the Giants. If they want to stay in this Wild Card race, the time for them to win is now.

McCutchen’s late-inning homer steals the show in Giants’ top pitching prospect’s debut, Bucs raise the Jolly Roger in game one

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San Francisco Giants’ Carson Whisenhunt pitches to a Pittsburgh Pirates batter during the fourth inning of a baseball game Monday, July 28, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez)

By Lincoln Juarez

SAN FRANCISCO–McCutchen homers late and leads Pirates to game one win amid Giants’ top pitching prospect respectable debut.

Monday night the Giants, worn out from a three game sweep against the Mets over the weekend, played host to the Pittsburgh Pirates to start the second half of a six game homestand. Falling to 2-7 since the All-Star break, the Giants turned to their top pitching prospect, left-hander, Carson Whisenhunt to get back in the win column. 

The 24-year-old got his contract selected by the Giants Monday afternoon in a series of roster moves sending RHP Sean Hjelle to AAA Sacramento and designating RHP Carson Ragsdale for assignment, clearing up a roster spot for Whisenhunt to make his MLB debut.

With AAA Sacramento, Whisenhunt posted a 8-5 record with a 4.42 ERA, 28 BB, and 86 K. Ranking in the Triple-A top-10 with 97.2 innings pitched at the time of his promotion, the southpaw also led qualified pitchers in ERA. 

Donning the first number 88 in Giants history, Whisenhunt represented his aunt’s birthday, dad’s football number, and the year his mother graduated. Safe to say their presence was felt on and off the field as his family got to enjoy the debut from the stands. 

It took the rookie two innings to shake off the nerves. Following two fly-outs to open up the game, the Pirates’ Nick Gonzales deposited a first-pitch changeup over the left field wall to start the scoring. A harsh welcome to the big leagues for Whisenhunt as the Pirates offense continued to slug in the second. Three more came across to score, two on an Isiah Kiner-Falefa double and one more via Tommy Pham single. Three hits, two walks, and four runs through the first two frames would be the only threat to Whisenhunt. 

In what shaped up to be a productive outing, Whisenhunt received a well-deserved ovation from the 35,000 plus as he walked off the field after five innings, 5 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, and 3 K. He became the first Giants pitcher to start his MLB debut and go at least 5.0 innings in the game since RHP Logan Webb did back in 2019.

After his first big league start, the new Giant gave praise to his catcher Patrick Bailey and his ability to keep him calm while changing the game plan after the Pirates attacked the changeup in the first two innings. Whisenhunt, who is known for his changeup, had to switch things up to throw the Pirates lineup off balance and he prevailed.

2 H, 0 BB, and 0 ER through innings three, four, and five.  

His ability to adjust in-game and trust his relationship with Bailey behind the plate is a good sign for the Giants and hopefully something he can build off in his next outing. He could save the Giants some prospects if he can produce as he did in the minors and they don’t have to trade for another starter.

Prior to the game, manager Bob Melvin acknowledged the holes in the rotation for the Giants and said it was a good opportunity for Whisenhunt to take advantage of. Depending on how they view his five innings of work, we could see the rookie take over one of the vacancies in the rotation. 

The Giants offense, who went 0-for-23 with runners in scoring position over the weekend against the Mets, kept Whisenhunt in the game early on. Responding with a run of their own in the home first on a Matt Chapman triple that got by the diving Alexander Canario in right field allowing Heliot Ramos to score from first. 

In the home second, Yastrzemski led the way with a walk and Patrick Bailey followed with a single placing runners on the corners with no outs. Brett Wisely kept things going with a ground-rule double, scoring Yastrzemski and moving Bailey to third. A few batters later, Willy Adames went with an outside pitch to right field and drove in Bailey to make it a one run game. 

The Giants continued to trail by a run until the fourth, where Heliot Ramos doubled with one out and later advanced to third on a Devers groundout. Willy Adames lined a base-hit to left field, Ramos scored, and the game was tied. 

From Carson to Carson, the right-handed Seymour took over for Whisenhunt in the sixth yielding a hit and a walk, but keeping the Bucs off the board. 

The difference-maker came in the top of the seventh when former Giant, Andrew McCutchen blasted a two-run home run to left on a hanging slider. McCutchen’s 10th home run of the season brought home what wound up being the game’s winning run. 

The Giants fought until the final out in the ninth, putting together a rally that saw Willy Adames score to put them within one. Manager Bob Melvin said postgame that it “just felt like one of those games we were gonna come back and win”. 

Adames had himself a night going 3-for-5 with 2 RBI and three very hard hit balls, one of them right into a Pirates glove. 

With the tying run in scoring position in Jung Hoo Lee and the winning run at first base (pinch-runner Luis Matos), Patrick Bailey dug in with intentions to replicate his heroics he provided a few weeks ago with his walk-off inside-the-park home run to defeat the Phillies. 

Pirates closer David Bednar forced a weak groundball to second base and Bailey was thrown out at first to end the game. 

Still searching for that offensive magic, the Giants dropped their fourth straight and started the homestand 0-4. Another disappointing night with RISP, as the lineup hit a combined 4-for-13 and left a total of 12 men on base. 

With the Padres comeback win over the Mets down in San Diego Monday night, the Giants are now four games out of the final National League wild card spot. 

Justin Verlander (1-8, 4.70) takes to the mound Tuesday night against the Pirates’ LHP Bailey Falter (7-5, 3.82) and aims to keep his winning energy in the air, following his first win of the season last week in Atlanta. 

First pitch at 6:45pm. 

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic: Giants try to rebound from sweep open up series Pirates Monday night

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New York Mets Juan Soto (right) connects with the baseball for his 25th home run of the season in the top of the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun Jul 27, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic:

#1 On Sunday the New York Mets swept the San Francisco Giants for the first since June 23-25 in 2017. The Mets for the most part in the series did it with authority.

#2 The Mets sweep over the Giants is their eighth of the season tying for the most sweeps in the majors.

#3 It was a bullpen for the Giants the Giants ended up using seven pitchers. Giant reliever Randy Rodriguez was fourth pitcher used ended up with the loss pitching in the seventh inning and giving up two runs. It was a tough loss for Rodriguez who was looking to close the door on the Mets.

#4 The Mets got home run help in the top of the seventh inning from Ronny Mauricio and Juan Soto for two big insurance runs as the Mets went up 4-3 and eventually won it 5-3.

#5 The Giants pitching staff are suffering from sore arms and open us a three game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night. The Giants who threw a bullpen game Sunday will most likely do the same on Monday night. The Pirates will be starting RHP Mitch Keller (4-10 ERA 3.53) he’ll be opposed by the Giants LHP Carson Wisenhunt (0-0 ERA 0.00) first pitch at 6:45pm PT.

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

Insomniac Lunatic Fringe Postgame podcast 7-26-2025 Mets @ Giants

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Stephen talks about the San Francisco Marine layer that brings in the cool weather into the City as compared to Sacramento which has over 100 degree weather in the summer (San Francisco Chronicle photo)

Insomniac Lunatic Fringe Postgame 7-26-2025 Mets @ Giants by Stephen Ruderman

There was a picture of a woman wearing two scarves on the John Boy Talking Baseball which tweets out “brutal to have a July baseball game where you have to dress like this.” Are you serious? Come on really are you serious?” This is the time of the year when it’s really hot especially in your neck of the woods John Boy it’s muggy it’s horrible. A year ago we were going through our worst summer heat wave as ever here in Sacramento.

A year ago this weekend today July 27th I was at the Giants Saturday doubleheader between the Giants and Rockies. We were not just having our worst heatwave I’m talking about temps in the high 100s it was awful. Getting to sit in the seats under the marine layer with a jacket on just weeks after having to endure this 110 degree heat

I was such a treat and it was a treat for anyone who has to endure a hot summer in any location in this country especially you should know this more than anyone John Boy in New York where it’s not just hot but it’s muggy, it’s humid it’s sticky. This is one of the mild summers this year in 2025.

Listen to the podcast with Stephen Ruderman who is a San Francisco Giants podcaster at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

SF Giants post game report: Home runs and more wasted opportunities do Giants in, as Mets complete sweep with 5-3 win

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Carson Wisenhunt (18) will start against the Pittsburgh Pirates Mon Jul 28, 2025 at Oracle Park. Wisenhunt is the Giants third highest prospect. Wisenhunt walks off the field after pitching in the Futures Game at the MLB All Star Game on Sat Jul 12, 2025 at Truist Field in Cumberland GA (Getty photo)

Sunday, July 27, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco CA

New York Mets 5 (62-44)

San Francisco Giants 3 (54-52)

Win: Jose Butto (3-1)

Loss: Randy Rodriguez (3-2)

Save: Edwin Diaz (23)

Time: 3:10

Attendance: 40,124

By Stephen Ruderman

Home runs by Ronny Mauricio and Juan Soto in the top of the seventh inning did Randy Rodriguez and the Giants in, as the Mets completed the sweep of the Giants with a 5-3 win on Sunday Night Baseball at Oracle Park.

Sunday was the 2025 Hall-of-Fame Induction Ceremony in Cooperstown, New York. Billy Wagner, CC Sabathia and Ichiro Suzuki, as well as the late-great Dick Allen and Dave Parker, the latter of whom passed away just a month ago, made up the Class of 2025.

The Giants honored their own hall-of-famer. Granted, it was the Mascot Hall-of-Fame, but the Giants held a ceremony for their longtime mascot, Lou Seal, prior to the game.

Back to the serious business of baseball. The Giants were limited to just a run in each of the first two games of this series against the Mets, who took the first two games of this big three-game series. This evening, the Giants looked to avoid the sweep on Sunday Night Baseball.

Sunday night was Hayden Birdsong’s turn in the rotation, but with Birdsong down in Sacramento, Bob Melvin turned to his 32-year-old left-hander, Matt Gage, to be his opener. Gage set the tone nicely with a 1-2-3 to of the first inning.

Kodai Senga made the start for the Metropolitans, and started his evening with a scoreless bottom of the first. The Giants then had runners at first and second with one out in the bottom of the second, but Senga struck out Patrick Bailey and Brett Wisley to wiggle out of it without any damage.

Spencer Bivens came in for the Giants, and escaped a jam in the top of the second. However, Bivens wasn’t so lucky in the top of the third, as the Mets manufactured a run to get on the board.

The Giants looked to respond in the bottom of the third, as Heliot Ramos was standing at second base with two outs. Willy Adames then hit a check-swing roller along the third base line that stayed fair and was going to turn out to be an infield hit, but for whatever reason, Ramos took off for third, and was tagged out by Mets’ third-baseman Ronny Mauricio to end the inning.

Bivens survived a one-out double by Jeff McNeil in the top of the fourth. Matt Chapman then put the Giants on the board with a line-drive home run to left-center field to lead off the bottom of the fourth.

Francisco Alvarez led off the top of the fifth with a double, and Mauricio lined a double down the right field line, which knocked in Alvarez to put the Mets back ahead. Melvin brought in the lefty, Joey Lucchesi, who was able to escape further damage with some help from shortstop Willy Ademes, who cut Mauricio down at the plate.

Senga retired the first two men he faced in the bottom of the fifth. Adames then lined a base-hit to left, and Chapman hit his second home run of the game, a towering drive to left-center, to give the Giants their first of the evening.

The Giants led 3-2 going to the sixth, but McNeil hit his second double of the game with one out. Melvin summoned his all-star, Randy Rodriguez, who worked out of it and kept the Giants ahead.

However, Mauricio led off the top of the seventh with a blast into the water in right to tie the game. A member of the Jung Hoo Crew, so either McCovey Cove Dave wasn’t there, or he was positioned elsewhere in the cover. Juan Soto then hit an opposite-field home run to left with two outs, and the Mets were back ahead 4-3.

The Giants wasted an opportunity in the bottom of the eighth, and the Mets tacked on another run in the top of the ninth against Sean Hjelle to make it 5-3.

The Mets brought in their lights-out closer, Edwin Diaz, for the bottom of the ninth to try and close it out. Wisely flew out to right to start the inning, but the Giants loaded the bases with one out.

The Giants were unable to make anything out of a one-out double by Jung Hoo Lee in the bottom of the ninth last night, and the Giants hoped for a better fate with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth today.

However, the Giants had yet to get a single hit with a runner scoring position in this entire series, and that would remain the case through the very end. Adames was caught looking, and Chapman struck out looking to end it.

The Giants ended up going 0-for-21 with runners in scoring position in this series, and the sweep was complete.

Jose Butto, who pitched the bottom of the sixth, got the win; Randy Rodriguez took the loss; and Edwin Diaz picked up his 23rd save.

The Giants fall to 54-52, and they are just two games over .500 for the first time since March 31. Even worse, the Padres smoked the Cardinals 9-2 this afternoon in St. Louis, so the Giants are now three games back of San Diego for the third wild card spot.

The Giants will hope for better luck against the 44-62 Pittsburgh Pirates, who come into Oracle Park for three games starting Sunday night. However, the Pirates have won five of their last six, having swept the Detroit Tigers, and taking two of three from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Left-hander Carson Wisenhunt (8-5, 4.42 ERA at AAA Sacramento), who is the Giants’ third-highest ranked prospect, and was even considered one of the top 100 prospects in all of Baseball not too long ago, will take the ball for the Giants in his major league debut Monday night. Taking the ball for Pittsburgh will be right-hander Mitch Keller (4-10, 3.53 ERA).

First pitch will be at 6:45 p.m.

San Francisco Giants Game Recap: No Homers, No Comebacks as Giants Drop a Close One to Mets, 2-1

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New York Mets’ Mark Vientos hits a two-run double during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Saturday, July 26, 2025 in San Francisco. (Photo Credits to AP photographer Godofredo A. Vasquez)

Saturday, July 26, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco Giants: 1

New York Mets: 2

Win: New York Mets Pitcher David Peterson (7-4)

Loss: San Francisco Giants Pitcher Robbie Ray (9-5)

Attendance: 39,029

By: Michael Villanueva

SAN FRANCISCO – The Giants were looking to even the series against the New York Mets with a win on Saturday evening, but have fallen short. The Giants have now lost eight of their last ten games dating back to July 12th, and have been held to three runs or fewer in six of those games. As the Mets get their 6th consecutive win.

The loss marked another frustrating night for the Giants’ offense, which outhit New York but couldn’t convert when it mattered most — leaving key runners stranded and hitting into multiple double plays. Despite Robbie Ray’s strong outing and Jung Hoo Lee’s standout performance, the Giants were unable to overcome the Mets’ two-run sixth inning.

Baserunners, defensive moments, and missed opportunities drove the early innings on both sides.

The Mets attacked immediately in the first inning. The Giants found themselves in difficulty after Francisco Lindor walked and third baseman Matt Chapman made a throwing error. However, Robbie Ray escaped by getting Starling Marte to line out, burning 25 pitches while causing no damage.

San Francisco responded with the same scenario in the bottom half. Rafael Devers singled, Willy Adames walked, and Chapman came in with two on, only to line into a rally-killing double play started by Mark Vientos at third.

In the second inning, Francisco Álvarez hit a two-out triple, but Ray struck out Tyrone Taylor to prevent more damage. The Giants responded with two singles in the bottom half, but the inning ended on another double play, this time by Luis Matos.

Both starters worked scoreless third innings, with Ray retiring the side in order and David Peterson matching him to keep the game tied at 0-0 after three.

A no-scoring game was finally broken in the fourth. Despite three consecutive hits, the Mets were unable to score as Vientos struck out and Álvarez grounded into an inning-ending double play started by Chapman.

The Giants made the break count in the second half. Adames and Chapman hit, Schmitt walked, and Jung Hoo Lee scored the game’s first run with a fielder’s choice, giving San Francisco a 1-0 lead.

Ray looked sharp in the fifth, striking out Taylor and pitching a clean one, two, three, inning. Despite putting two more runners on base, the Giants were unable to score, as Chapman struck out again with two on to close the period.

In the sixth, New York finally cashed in. Juan Soto walked, stole second, and advanced on a ground ball. After another walk and a botched potential double play at first, Vientos hit the Giants with a two-run double to left, giving the Mets a 2-1 advantage. Ray’s night ended after 102 pitches, and pitcher Ryan Walker saved further damage by striking out Nimmo with the bases loaded.

Wilmer Flores led off with a single in the bottom half for the Giants, but Brandon Nimmo caught him reaching for second on a perfect throw. Jung Hoo Lee got another single later in the inning, but Matos flied out to center, ending the inning.

The Giants had a chance to fight back as Randy Rodríguez, Tyler Rogers, Joey Lucchesi, and Ryan Walker held the Mets scoreless in the final three innings. Rogers pitched around a leadoff double in the 8th, and Rodríguez struck out two in the 9th, including Juan Soto with a runner on, to hold the score to one.

The Giants had their best chance to tie it in the bottom of the ninth. With one out, Jung Hoo Lee hit his 22nd double of the season into the gap in right. Pinch hitter Mike Yastrzemski struck out, leaving Patrick Bailey as the final hope. Bailey made contact but lined out to Pete Alonso at first, sealing the Giants’ loss.

David Peterson (7-4) got the win for New York after pitching six innings of one earned run. Ray (9-5) suffered a tough loss, giving up two runs in 5.1 innings with three strikeouts. Edwin Díaz secured his 23rd save of the season with a scoreless ninth.

The Giants are currently 2-6 since the All-Star break, trying to maintain consistency as the second half of the season has begun. Saturday’s game was also the first one in Major League Baseball without a home run, which is an unusual occurrence in today’s power-driven game.

San Francisco is looking to prevent a sweep in Sunday’s finale at 4:10 p.m. at Oracle Park. The Giants will play a bullpen game, with Matt Gage(0-0 ERA 0.00) starting and Carson Seymour likely covering multiple innings. The Mets will reply with right-hander Kodai Senga (7-3, 1.79 ERA), one of the National League’s most effective pitchers this season.

With playoff positioning tightening and frustration mounting, the Giants will need to find answers quickly to flip their fortunes around. Especially since the Giants went 0-8 with runners in scoring position tonight, and with the Giants bullpen throwing 35.1 innings since the All-Star break.

San Francisco Giants Game recap: Giants couldn’t contain the hot Mets, Giants lose 8-1

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New York Mets’ Francisco Lindor, right, runs the bases after hitting a solo home run against San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb (62) during the third inning of a baseball game Friday, July 25, 2025, in San Francisco. (Photo Credits to Godofredo A. Vásquez AP Photo)

Friday, July 25th, 2025

Oracle Park

New York Mets: 8

San Francisco Giants: 1

Win: New York Mets Pitcher Clay Holmes (9-5)

Loss: San Francisco Giants Pitcher Logan Webb (9-8)

Attendance: 41,163 (Sellout)

By: Michael Villanueva

The San Francisco Giants return home Friday evening to host the New York Mets, but unfortunately couldn’t contain them. The New York Mets spoiled the night at Oracle Park, jumping on Giants ace Logan Webb early to roll to an 8-1 win over San Francisco.

Webb struggled from the start, allowing eight hits and six earned runs over just four innings. He struck out four and walked one in a tough outing that put the Giants in a deep hole early.

Mets right-hander Clay Holmes earned the win, tossing five solid innings. He scattered six hits, gave up just one earned run, and added two strikeouts with one walk in a steady outing that kept the Giants’ offense quiet.

Mets offense struck quickly in the opening frame. After Brandon Nimmo led off with a double, Juan Soto grounded out to bring in the game’s first run. Pete Alonso followed with a sacrifice fly to give New York a 2–0 lead. The Giants answered with a run of their own in the bottom half, as Willy Adames grounded out to score Heliot Ramos—but that would be the last time San Francisco touched home plate all night.

Francisco Lindor led the Mets’ charge, going 3-for-5 with a single, double, and his 20th home run of the season in the third inning. He scored three runs and drove in two. Soto added two RBIs of his own, including an insurance single in the ninth after Ronald Acuña Jr. scored on a wild pitch by Camilo Doval.

Willy Adames was the lone bright spot at the plate for San Francisco, driving in the team’s only run. The rest of the lineup never found a rhythm, and six Giants relievers were called in throughout the night—each walking in from the bullpen in a long, symbolic line.

Friday’s loss marked the Giants’ fifth in seven games since the All-Star break, as they continue to search for momentum heading into the second half of the season.

The Giants hope to bounce back Saturday evening. Starting pitchers for the Mets LHP David Peterson (6-4 ERA 2.90) vs. Giants LHP Robbie Ray (9-4 ERA 2.92) 6:05pm PT.

San Francisco Giants Podcast Michael Villanueva: Verlander focusing on his next win

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Right-hander Justin Verlander finally got his first win as a Giant, in his 17th start of the season, on Wednesday against the Braves in Atlanta. (Photo credits to Todd Kirkland, Getty Images)

San Francisco Giants podcast Michael Villanueva

#1 Michael, Justin Verlander finally ends his historic 16-game winless streak on Wednesday afternoon against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park, 9-3. His 17th start this season, finally recorded his first in a Giants Uniform. Also making this his 263rd career wins.

#2 Rafael Devers stepped up to the plate and logged in four runs with three hits, and including two home runs. Devers was put back as the designated hitter, just one day after making his debut as the starting first baseman in Tuesday night’s 9-0 win.

#3 The Giants outscored the Braves 18-3 to win the final two games of the series after Atlanta won the opener 9-7. Just before the Giants got outscored by the Blue Jays 18-9.

#4 San Francisco Giants are one game behind San Diego from taking back second place in the NL West. With players coming back from old injuries like Matt Chapman, Michael what does it take for the Giants to get back to second and their hoping to reach the post season?

#5 The Giants return home to Oracle Park on Friday night at 7:15 PM to open a weekend series against the New York Mets. Giants RHP Logan Webb (9-7, ERA 3.08) will be on the mound as he faces off RHP Clay Holmes (8-5, ERA 3.48)

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