Tag: San Francisco Giants

Senzatela, Rockies rocks Giants 8-1

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Photo credit: @NBCSGiants

By Jeremy Kahn

It seems that the San Francisco Giants have found a new House of Horror, and it is Coors Field, the home of the Colorado Rockies.

Antonio Senzatela, who was recalled earlier in the day from Triple-A Albuquerque to replace the struggling Jon Gray, went seven innings, allowing no runs on just three hits, not walking a batter and striking out four and the Rockies defeated the Giants 8-1 at Coors Field.

Going back to September 7, 2016, the Rockies are now 14-2 versus the Giants at Coors Field, a winning percentage of .875.

Charlie Blackmon was the hitting star of the night for the Rockies, as he picked up three hits and his first home run since June 20.

Trevor Story drove in a run with a triple, while Nolan Arenado hit his National League-leading 22nd home run, as the Rockies have won five out of their last six games.

It was not a good night for Chris Stratton, as the right-hander went just 5.2 innings, allowing eight runs on 11 hits.

Alen Hanson drove in the lone Giants run, as he singled in the top of the eighth inning off of Mike Dunn that scored Austin Jackson, who singled with one out in the inning.

Blackmon got the Rockies going in the bottom of the first inning, as hit a 416-foot home run with one out in the frame.

Following the Blackmon home run, Arenado singled and then after a lineout by Carlos Gonzalez for the second out of the inning, Story singled and then Gerardo Parra singled in Arenado with the Rockies second run of the inning.

It looked like Stratton was going to settle down, as he retired the next six batters in a row, but then Gonzalez singled and then Story tripled to right field.

Arenado broke the game wide open in the bottom of the fifth inning, as he hit a smashed a three-run home run to centerfield to give the Rockies a 6-0 lead.

NOTES: Andrew Suarez looks to end the road trip on a high note, as he takes the mound on Wednesday afternoon, while the Rockies will send Tyler Anderson to the mound, as they look for the sweep.

Johnny Cueto and Jeff Samardzija will rejoin the starting rotation for the Giants this weekend, as the Giants open a 10-game home stand against the St. Louis Cardinals beginning on Thursday night. Cueto is currently on the 60-day disabled list, retroactive to April 29 with a sprained right elbow, will start on Thursday. Samardzija will start on Saturday after he was forced to a game against the Rockies with tightness in his right shoulder on May 30 after just one inning.

Derek Holland was the odd man out of the starting rotation, as he will be sent to the bullpen.

UP NEXT: The Giants and Rockies conclude their series on Wednesday at 5:10 pm PDT.

Giants complete sweep of D-backs with 9-6 win

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Photo credit: @SFGiants

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Sunday, July 1, 2018

PHOENIX, Ariz. – The San Francisco Giants had its bats going Sunday, completing its three-game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 9-6 win and a 16-hit attack at Chase Field on Sunday.

Yet, it was a defensive gem that helped make it possible. That, and a key pinch hit from Hunter Pence.

By sweeping the D-backs, San Francisco pulled to within 2 ½ games of first-place Arizona in the NL West race.

“It started with our pitching,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “Today, (Derek) Holland wasn’t quite on top of his game and worked pretty hard out there, but he kept us in the game. It was timely hitting too; the guys got some big hits. Our defense, the bullpen, everything.

“To win all three, you have to play really good ball, especially against this team.”

In the fourth inning, the D-backs closed their deficit to 4-3. With two out, a run in and bases loaded, Christian Walker sent a scorching grounder down the right field line that first baseman Brandon Belt snared on the edge of the outfield grass.

Belt’s throw to Cody Gearrin, sprinting from the pitcher’s mound, beat Walker and snuffed out the Arizona rally.

“Holland had 90 pitches at that stage,” Bochy said. “That was a huge out, a huge play. At first, I thought it was going to get through, but that was a beautiful play that Belt made.”

Pence, pinch-hitting for Gearrin, greeted D-Backs reliever Silvino Bracho with a two-run double down the left-field line, driving in Austin Slater and Joe Panik. Two batters later, Pence scored on Brandon Belt’s base hit.

“Hunter is our spiritual leader,” Bochy said. “I know his role has changed and it’s not easy. He went up there today and delivered for us. It’s going to take everybody and these guys need to know that – off the bench or playing regularly.

“Hunter has such a great attitude. He just wants to do anything he can to help the club win.”

San Francisco broke the game open with a four-run rally in the fifth, chasing D-backs starter Zack Godley (9-6) and taking an 8-3 lead. After Godley issued back-to-back walks to Alen Hanson and Slater, Panik’s RBI single to center scored Hanson, setting up Pence’s pinch-double.

Paul Goldschmidt’s two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh off Giants reliever Pierce Johnson – his 18th of the season – pulled Arizona to within 8-5. Goldschmidt homered after Nick Ahmed led off with a triple.

In the ninth, pinch-hitter Austin Jackson doubled and scored the Giants’ ninth run on Crawford’s two-out double. The D-backs responded with a run in the bottom of the ninth on John Ryan Murphy’s two-out RBI single off Mark Melancon.

With runners at first and second, Will Smith replaced Melancon and struck out Jake Lamb to earn his second save.

“Melancon’s stuff is fine,” Bochy said. “He’s still finding his way, I think, a little bit. His confidence will grow the more work that he gets. With all the time that he missed, I think he’s still trying to get to mid-season form.”

Noting that the bullpen is in flux, Bochy said, “We’ll use everybody. We have guys that are interchangeable and can pitch the seventh, eighth or ninth. We’ll mix it up.”

The Giants manufactured a run in the second inning to open the scoring. Nick Hundley walked, moved to second on Pablo Sandoval’s single, took third on a wild pitch and scored on Joe Panik’s base hit.

An alert play by D-backs catcher John Ryan Murphy squelched the rally. When Holland’s swinging bunt died in the dirt a foot in front of the plate, Murphy pounced on it and fired a strike to shortstop Nick Ahmed to start an inning-ending double play.

Arizona answered by taking a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second. After Murphy walked and Lamb doubled, Chris Owings hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Murphy. With two out, Jerrod Dyson sliced a bloop single to left, scoring Lamb.

San Francisco scored twice in the third to regain the lead at 3-2. Gorkys Hernandez led off with a base hit, and after Belt flied out to center and Andrew McCutchen struck out, Brandon Crawford singled before Hundley delivered a base hit to score Hernandez.

Holland helped himself in the fourth when he led off with a double and scored on Belt’s one-out single, extending the Giants’ lead to 4-2.

The D-backs cut their deficit to 4-3 in the fourth when Lamb scored on Dyson’s one-out single. Arizona loaded the bases with two out, and after Holland was replaced on the mound by Cory Gearrin (1-1), the D-backs failed to capitalize.

Hundley was 3-for-5, while Belt, Crawford, Slater and Panik each collected four hits. Dyson, Ahmed, Walker, Murphy and David Peralta each had two hits for Arizona.

San Francisco used seven pitchers in a game where neither starting pitcher lasted past the fourth inning. Gearrin faced one batter to get the win.

Godley gave up seven of San Francisco’s nine runs – all earned – on nine hits in four-plus innings.

After winning the first two games with its pitching, Bochy felt it was important to win one by outhitting the opposition.

“Over the course of a season, you’re going to have starters that occasionally aren’t on top of their game,” Bochy said. “So, you have to slug it out with the other club occasionally and put some runs on the board. They did that today.”

The Giants’ road trip continues Monday through Wednesday in Denver against the Colorado Rockies. San Francisco’s probables for the series, in order, are Madison Bumgarner (1-2), Chris Stratton (8-5) and Andrew Saurez (3-4).

GIANT JOTTINGS: 3B Pablo Sandoval left Sunday’s game after being hit by a pitch in the third inning. Sandoval suffered a right elbow contusion; X-rays were negative. … RHP Jeff Samardzija (right shoulder tightness) is scheduled to start for Triple-A Sacramento on Monday, and RHP Johnny Cueto (right elbow sprain) is slated to throw a bullpen session on Monday. … Attendance at Chase Field Sunday was 29,721 for the three-hour, 45-minute contest.

UP NEXT: The Giants will travel to Colorado to take on the Rockies. Game 1 is Monday night at 5:40 pm PDT.

Slater continues hot hitting, Giants nip D-backs 2-1

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Photo credit: @SFGiants

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Friday, June 29, 2018

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Since being called up from Triple-A Sacramento last Saturday, San Francisco Giants outfielder Austin Slater has merely picked up where he left off.

Slater’s hot bat continued to sizzle on Friday night at Chase Field, where he drove in both Giants runs in a 2-1 NL West victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

“It’s really fun to see the young guys come up and have success up here. It’s hard,” Giants closer Will Smith said. “Slater had an incredible night, and Andy (Suárez) threw the ball great too.”

Slater, hitting .368 as a Giant, was batting .344 for the PCL River Cats with 24 doubles, five home runs and 32 runs batted in in 53 games. On Friday, Slater was 3-for-4 with a pair of RBI doubles.

“Slater really stepped up and delivered for us,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. “He had some good at-bats in the clutch, too. He did the damage today. He uses the whole field and has great hand-eye coordination.

“We were looking for someone against Corbin who could hopefully knock in some runs, and he’s the one who came through for us.”

The Giants (43-40) surged ahead to stay at 2-1 when Brandon Crawford led off with a walk against Arizona reliever Andrew Chafin (1-3) and scored on Slater’s double to right-center.

San Francisco, third in the NL West Division, trails the first-place Diamondbacks by 4 ½ games. With the victory, the Giants have won eight of their last 10.

“It was a great win to start the trip against a lineup like that,” Bochy said.

While both bullpens did well, the Giants’ Reyes Moronta, Tony Watson, and Will Smith held the D-Backs scoreless and hitless over the last three innings. Smith earned his first save.

“No extra pressure, really. I just tried to get guys out, put up a zero,” Smith said.

Smith struck out two of the three hitters he faced in the bottom of the ninth, including pinch-hitter John Ryan Murphy to end the game.

“I just tried to make good pitches, keep the ball down,” Smith said. “In a one-run ballgame, you don’t want to elevate anything he can put a good swing on.”

Giants starter Andrew Suárez (3-4) worked six innings, giving up one earned run on seven hits – five of them infield hits – striking out five and issuing two walks.

“What a terrific job he did,” Bochy said. “Good stuff today, had everything going. He had some tough luck with five infield hits, but that kid pitched his heart out. He really kept his composure out there; he’s got some saavy out there and knows when to make his pitches. He got out of pretty tough jam (in the sixth inning) but his stuff was still there – that’s what was impressive.”

On the unusual amount of infield hits he gave up, Suárez said, “It happens, so I made sure not to overreact and minimize damage and try to get some groundouts. It was just weird; I’ve never seen it like that. But it worked out, thankfully.”

Suárez, 2-0 in five June starts, said he doesn’t worry about other pitchers eventually coming back from the disabled list, saying, “Whatever happens, happens. I’m just focused on the next start.”

San Francisco opened the scoring in the second inning off D-Backs starter Patrick Corbin. Buster Posey led off with a single and took second on centerfielder Chris Owings’ error, then scored on Slater’s double to center.

A video review helped the Diamondbacks tie the game in the sixth at 1-1. After Ketel Marte led off with a double, Chris Owings was ruled safe at first on a sharp grounder to third that was reviewed. Jake Lamb followed with a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Marte, who moved to third on Owings’ hit.

Earlier, Arizona (47-35) threatened in the bottom of the third, but came up empty. With two out, Nick Ahmad singled, Paul Goldschmidt walked and David Peralta reached on an infield single to load the bases. But Saurez worked out of the jam by retiring Marte on a grounder to short.

Corbin, 2-0 with a 1.74 ERA in three previous starts against the Giants, wound up with a no-decision. In his six innings, Corbin surrendered one earned run on four hits, with five strikeouts and two walks.

The weekend series resumes on Saturday night with a battle of right-handers – Dereck Rodriguez (2-1, 3.82) pitching for San Francisco against Shelby Miller (0-1, 12.27) for the D-Backs.

GIANT JOTTINGS: Attendance was 30,981; time of game was 2:41, even with seven pitching changes and a video replay challenge (:38 on Owings’ hit in the sixth). … RHP Johnny Cueto made his second rehab start for Triple-A Sacramento Friday against Fresno. Cueto has missed the Giants’ last 55 games with a right elbow sprain. … Arizona RHP Yoshihisa Hirano set a team record with his 25th consecutive scoreless appearance, passing J.J. Putz, who had two streaks of 24 scoreless games in 2012. … D-Backs OF A.J. Pollock (fractured left thumb) began a rehab assignment Friday at Triple-A Reno.

UP NEXT: The Giants and D-backs will square off again Saturday night at 7:10 pm PDT.

Colorado goes Coors, Rockies nip the Giants 9-8

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By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO — Those top-of-the-order guys that were stymied by Madison Bumgarner and the Giants’ bullpen on Wednesday, showed up big for the Rockies at AT&T Park on Thursday.

DJ LeMahieu capped his three hit, five RBI day with a game-winning, two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning, and the Rockies rallied to beat the Giants, 9-8.

Nolan Arenado hit his 19th homer, and Trevor Story racked up three hits as the Rockies snapped the Giants’ streak of 15 games in which their starting pitcher allowed three runs or less.

Chris Stratton began the afternoon looking for his ninth win, but only lasted four innings, allowing eight hits and five runs.

The Giants scored twice in the eighth to take the lead, giving Sam Dyson a chance to record the final three outs, but the Giants’ closer allowed LeMahieu’s home run to left field with a runner aboard. The Giants fell to 36-2 in games they led after eight innings.

“Tough one when you have a lead in the ninth and we couldn’t hold on to it,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “Sam was just a little bit off.”

“I felt like we got some big outs, and some big hits and it turned into a win. We just got to keep it going,” LeMahieu said.

The Giants finished their homestand 7-3 and failed to win eight times on a homestand for the first time since 2012. They travel to Arizona and Colorado on a six-game trip beginning Friday night.

List of 1-0 home run walk-offs in Giants history

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Photo credit: @sfgiants_fanly

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — When Brandon Crawford took a Harrison Musgrave pitch and planted it onto the right field arcade to send everyone happy, it was not the first walk-off this season for the San Francisco Giants.

The Crawford home run in the bottom of the ninth inning that gave the Giants a 1-0 victory over the Colorado Rockies. It was the Giants’ sixth walk-off win this season.

Andrew McCutchen came up with the first walk-off of the season, and did so in dramatic fashion, as he hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the 14th inning to give the Giants a come-from-behind 7-5 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Just three days later, McCutchen was at it again, as he singled in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Giants a 5-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Nick Hundley got in on the act on April 30, as he singled in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Giants a 6-5 victory over the San Diego Padres.

Crawford picked up his walk-off of the season on June 6th, as he singled in the bottom of the 10thinning to propel the Giants 5-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

This past Sunday, as the Giants trailed the San Diego Padres, Hunter Pence hit a two-run double just out of the reach of Eric Hosmer, to give the Giants a huge 3-2 victory over the Padres.

Crawford joined the walk-off club for a second time on Wednesday night, as he took the Musgrave pitch and put it for the 1-0 victory.

The Crawford home run on Wednesday night marked just the seventh time in team history that a home run ended the game with the score between tied at zero.

Bobby Thomson was the first Giants player to snap a scoreless tie with a walk-off home run, as he did it on April 30, 1953 against the Milwaukee Braves at the Polo Grounds.

Ten years later, on July 2, 1963, Willie Mays put an end to a pitcher’s duel at Candlestick Park, as he took a Warren Spahn pitch in the bottom of the 16th inning and put it into the seats to give the Juan Marichal the victory.

Just three years later, Mays did it again on August 12, 1966, as he gave the Giants the victory the Houston Astros.

A little over a year later on September 22, 1967, Tom Haller put an end to the game, as he won the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

It would be almost nine years before Bobby Murcer sent the Candlestick faithful home happy, as he turned the trick against the Philadelphia Phillies on July 16, 1976.

Steve Decker was the last Giants player to snap a 0-0 tie with a home run, as he did so on April 21, 1991 against the Houston Astros.

Crawford joined that club last night with his walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Giants the win.

The last National League shortstop to accomplish this feat was Ernie Banks of the Chicago Cubs, who did it against the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 17, 1960 at Wrigley Field.

Hernandez comes up big in Giants’ 3-2 win over Rockies

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By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — Gorkys Hernandez and maybe the San Francisco Giants are unsung heroes thus far during the 2018 season.

Hernandez walked with the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth inning, helping the Giants to a 3-2 victory over the Colorado Rockies before a crowd of 36,070 at AT&T Park on Tuesday night.

After Pablo Sandoval struck out for the first out of the inning, Brandon Crawford came up with his third hit of the night. Crawford proceeded to steal second base, then losing pitcher Adam Ottavino intentionally walked Joe Panik.

Austin Slater was unable to move the runners over, as he struck out for the second out of the inning; however, Ottavino was unable to get that elusive third out, as he walked pinch hitter Alen Hanson and then Hernandez to give the Giants their third win in a row and sixth in eight games on this 10-game home stand.

The Rockies attempted to tie up the game in the top of the ninth inning, as Tom Murphy came up with bloop hit and he was able to get second base, when no one was covering the base, but Sam Dyson got Gerardo Parra to strikeout for the third time in four at-bats.

Dyson was then able to induce DJ LeMahieu to ground into a game-ending double play, but it did not come without some looking into by the umpires. Rockies manager Bud Black challenged the close play at first base, as Black thought that LeMahieu was safe; however, after a 36-second replay review, the play stood and the Giants got their 14thwin of the month against nine losses.

Chris Iannetta then walked following the Parra strikeout that sent the Giants bullpen scrambling, as Will Smith immediately got down there to start throwing

Ian Desmond gave the Rockies a 1-0 in the top of the second inning, as he took a Derek Holland offering and put it into the left field seats.

Hernandez got the Giants on the board, as he hit his 10thhome run of the season, as he led off the bottom of the third inning against Chad Bettis.

Coming into the season, Hernandez’s previous career high for home runs in a season was three, when he played for the Miami Marlins in 2012. During the 2017 season, Hernandez went to the plate more times than player in the major leagues without hitting a home run.

The defense of Brandon Belt kept the score 1-0 in the top of the third inning, as he snared a Charlie Blackmon line drive and immediately stepped on first base to get LeMahieu to complete the double play.

Holland went 6.2 innings, allowing one run on six hits, walking two and striking out eight, as he was replaced by Reyes Moronta with two outs in the top of the seventh inning after he was able to get Bettis to sacrifice for the second out of the inning. Moronta got out of the inning, as he was able to strikeout LeMahieu for the final out of the inning,

LeMahieu would be the only batter that Moronta would face, as Sunday’s hero, Pence came on to pinch hit for Moronta and came up with an infield single and stayed fair, as he hit off the third base bag to stay fair. The hit by Pence was the second in a row allowed by Bettis, as Slater led off the inning with a sharp single to left field.

Slater got a rally in the bottom of the seventh inning started, as he singled off of Chad Bettis to lead off the inning.

Following the Slater single, Bettis then gave up an infield single to Hunter Pence that stayed fair, as it hit off of third base. After a sacrifice bunt by Hernandez, and an intentional walk to Buster Posey, Bettis was replaced by Adam Ottavino.

McCutchen then hit a sacrifice fly to Parra in left field, and Slater slid underneath the Murphy slide to give the Giants the lead.

Bettis went 6.1 innings, allowing two runs on six hits, walking four and striking out four and like Holland, he did not fare in the decision.

Unfortunately, the usual lights out Giants bullpen was unable to hold the late lead, as Mark Melancon gave up a single to Trevor Story and then scored the tying run, when Desmond came through in the clutch for his second RBI of the game, as he doubled just out of the reach of McCutchen in right field. Melancon was then replaced by Tony Watson, who was able to get out of the jam, as he got Carlos Gonzalez to ground out to end the inning.

The Rockies tried to get a rally started in the top of the fifth inning, as Carlos Gonzalez and Tom Murphy each singled to lead off the inning, but Holland settled down to get Parra and Bettis out on strikes and then Holland got LeMahieu to fly out to Hernandez in center field to end the threat.

Bettis also got out of a mini-jam in the bottom of the second inning, as he gave back-to-back singles to Brandon Crawford and Joe Panik, but Bettis then regrouped to get Slater out on strikes and then Holland grounded out to Bettis to end the inning.

After the fifth inning jam was thwarted by Holland, the Rockies put together another attempt at a rally in the top of the sixth inning, as Nolan Arenado walked and then Story singled with one out; however, Holland was able to end the threat, as he got Desmond to strike out for the second time in a row and then Gonzalez grounded out to Crawford, who on the other side of second base in the shift to end the Rockies second threat in a row.

NOTES: Madison Bumgarner goes for his second win in a row, as he takes the mound on Wednesday for the Giants, while the Rockies will send Kyle Freeland to the hill and looks to improve on his 7-6 record.

Jeff Samardzija went four innings, allowing six runs on seven hits (two home runs), two walks and six strikeouts in his third rehab start. Samardzija threw 88 pitches, 53 for strikes.

UP NEXT: The Giants and Rockies will meet again on Wednesday night at 7:15 pm PDT.

Pence’s walk-off double lifts Giants past Padres 3-2 in extras

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Photo credit: @NBCSGiants

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — With their first day off since June 7 looming, the San Francisco Giants are happy to get a day off.

Hunter Pence hit a two-run double just out of the reach of Eric Hosmer at first base, as the Giants came back to defeat the San Diego Padres 3-2 before a crowd of 39,240 at AT&T Park on Sunday afternoon.

“Just wanted to put a good swing on the ball,” said Pence. “Fortunately, I found the hole.”

Thru the first seven games of the 10-game home stand, the Giants are now 5-2 with a three-game series looming against the Colorado Rockies beginning on Tuesday night.

With the victory, this was the fourth straight home series win for the Giants.

Things were not looking good for the Giants, as they went to the bottom of the 11th inning against one of the best closers in baseball, in Brad Hand.

After Hand struck out Brandon Belt for the first out of the inning, Hand began to unravel, as he gave up a double to Andrew McCutchen, then after an intentional walk to Buster Posey that setup the possible double play, Hand hit Brandon Crawford on the elbow to load the bases.

“Cutch got the guys going with that double,” said manager Bruce Bochy.

On an 0-2 pitch from Hand, Pence hit a cue ball shot down the first base line just out of the reach of Hosmer at first that McCutchen with the tying run and Posey with the winning run.

“Ecstatic for him, been a tough road for him (Hunter),” said Bochy.

The walk-off double by Pence was his 11th career walk-off hit, and the first since May 23, 2016, also a double against the Padres.

This was the fifth walk-off of the season for the Giants, and first since June 6, when Crawford hit a single against the Arizona Diamondbacks that helped the Giants to a 5-4 win in 10 innings.

The Padres took the lead in the top of the 11th inning, as Manuel Margot singled to lead-off the inning, then Hosmer grounded out to Brandon Belt at first base, and Margot advanced to second. Margot then went to third on a Moronta wild pitch, and then scored what looked like the winning run on the Spangenberg single to right field, until Pence’s heroics in the bottom of the inning

Margot scored both runs for the Padres, as he hit a 3-2 offering from Dereck Rodriguez into the left field seats to give the Padres an early 1-0 lead. It was the fifth career lead-off home run for Margot.

The Margot leadoff home run was the first by a Padres player this season.

Lauer was cruising, as he did not allow a hit until McCutchen singled with one out in the bottom of the fourth inning. Posey then followed up with a single of his own, but the rally ended, when Brandon Crawford grounded into a double play that ended the rally and the inning.

Through nearly 8,000 games into their team’s history, the Padres have not never thrown a no-hitter.

Gorkys Hernandez hit a home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to tie up the game. Posey doubled with two outs, and Crawford was robbed of a hit, as Freddy Galvis made a leaping catch that kept the game all tied at one.

Brandon Belt hit a double in the bottom of the eighth inning off of Kirby Yates, but the inning ended on a fantastic catch by Hunter Renfroe, who leaped into the stands to end the inning off of a ball hit by McCutchen.

Lauer went six innings, allowing just one runs on five hits, walking one and striking out four; however, he did not fare in the decision.

On the other side of things, Dereck Rodriguez went seven innings, allowing one runs on four hits, walking one and striking out six and like Lauer, he did not fare in the decision.

“Gave up a lead-off home run and seven super innings,” said Bochy.

This was the longest outing of Rodriguez’s career, and he tied his career high with six strikeouts. Rodriguez also struck out six against the Philadelphia Phillies on June 3, and on Tuesday night against the Miami Marlins.

“Felt good, commanded my pitches,” said Rodriguez. “Today my curveball was my best pitch,” he added.

NOTES: After the day off on Monday, the Giants will begin a three-game series against the Rockies beginning on Tuesday night. Derek Holland will take the mound in the opener, while the Rockies will counter with Chad Bettis.

Johnny Cueto went 3.1 innings on Saturday night, as he allowed one hit and struck out four, while pitching in 99-degree heat at Raley Field in Sacramento. Cueto threw 48 pitches, 33 for strikes.

“I want to do just one more,” said Cueto.

The 17 days between days off ties for the teams longest stretch of the season, and they ended the stretch 9-8 against Washington, Miami, Los Angeles (NL), Miami (again) and San Diego.

They also went 17 days from May 4th, when they opened their series against the Atlanta Braves at Sun Trust Park in Atlanta and it ended on May 20, when they hosted the Rockies. During that stretch, the Giants went 8-9 against the Braves, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Colorado.

Robert Stock made his Major League debut for the Padres in the bottom of the ninth, and pitched one inning, allowing one hit and striking out two.

UP NEXT: The Giants will welcome the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night at 7:15 pm PDT.

Crawford goes 3-for-3 in Giants’ 5-3 win over Padres

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By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — After being mired in an 0-for-18 slump, Brandon Crawford broke off that slump in a big way.

Crawford hit a two-run double in the bottom of the sixth inning, as the Giants defeated the San Diego Padres 5-3 before a crowd of 40,348 at AT&T Park on Saturday afternoon.

Alen Hanson got the rally started in the bottom of the sixth inning, as he dove headfirst into first base to beat out an infield single. Hanson then stole second with Andrew McCutchen at plate, and went to third base on a Brandon Belt single.

Both scored easily on Crawford’s double, his second extra base hit in as many at-bats, as he tripled in the bottom of the fourth inning to tie up the game and score McCutchen, who walked to lead off the inning.

Crawford ended up going three-for-three on the afternoon, as he picked up a double to lead-off the bottom of the eighth inning against Robbie Erlin.

“It was a matter of time, and today he found it,” said manager Bruce Bochy.

Austin Slater, who was recalled from Sacramento prior to the game was robbed of an extra base hit, as Renfroe made a terrific catch in the right field corner; however, Crawford was able to score easily from third base and Slater got an RBI on the sacrifice fly.

“Slater did a good job today,” said Bochy.

The Padres took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning, as Hunter Renfroe hit his fourth home run that was just out of the reach of Hanson in left field.

Andrew Suarez pitched a strong 5.2 innings, allowing just one run on eight hits, walking one and striking out four.

Despite not getting the win, Suarez joined some very elusive company in the history of major league baseball. He became the first Giants pitcher ever to begin his career with 12 starts or fewer since 1913 and to allow two walks or fewer. The only other pitcher to have more two walks or fewer in consecutive starts is Trevor Williams, who started his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates with 15, Williams did this from 2016-2017, this is according to STATS, LLC.

Suarez was helped out by his defense on the field, as the Giants turned double plays to end the second, third and fourth innings. The second double play to end the top of the third inning was started by Suarez, who made a leaping stab at the Wil Myers ball, he then threw to Crawford and then onto Brandon Belt to end the inning.

“Didn’t have my slider today,” said Suarez.

Reyes Moronta pitched an inning, allowing a walk and striking out one, as he won for the third time this season.

Padres starter Jordan Lyles never even made a pitch, as he was scratched from his start mere moments prior to the game. It was confirmed that Lyles was unable to pitch due to tightness in his right forearm.

“We did not know about Lyles,” said Bochy.

Matt Strahm replaced Lyles on the mound, and pitched 3.1 innings, allowing one run on two hits, walking two and striking out five.

Former USF Dons pitcher Adam Cimber took the loss for the Padres, as he gave up two runs on three hits, as his record dropped to 3-4 on the season.

The Giants turned their fourth double play in the top of the eighth inning, as Renfroe grounded to Crawford, who threw to Hanson, who in turn threw to Belt to end the inning and stop the potential Padres rally.

The four double plays turned by the Giants are their most in a game since they turned four against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on May 15, 2016.

NOTES: Dereck Rodriguez looks for his third win of his career, as he takes the mound in the series finale on Sunday afternoon for the Giants. Left-hander Eric Lauer will take the mound for the Padres, as he looks to even his record at 4-4 on the season.

Slater was recalled from Sacramento, and Mac Williamson was optioned to the Rivercats to make room for Slater.

Johnny Cueto, who is out with a right elbow and missed the last 50 games will go for the Rivercats tonight against El Paso at Raley Field. Cueto is expected to throw around 45 pitches.

Jeff Samardzija is going to make his next rehab start on Tuesday night, as the Rivercats play the Albuquerque Isotopes at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque.

UP NEXT: The Giants conclude their series versus the Padres on Sunday afternoon at 1:05 pm PDT.

MLB The Show podcast with Matt Harrington: Barreto comes through for A’s in a big way; Giants’ Stratton pitched well, but Padres get 9th inning rally

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Photo credit: @957thegame

On the MLB The Show podcast with Matt Harrington:

The Oakland A’s Franklin Barreto wasted no time in his return to the A’s line up with six RBIs and two home runs. Barreto is playing second while Jed Lowrie is playing third in place of the injured Matt Chapman during the first game of the doubleheader in Chicago Friday. Trade talk has the A’s looking to shop either Jonathan Lucroy and Jed Lowrie to get some young prospects.

The Giants starting pitchera Chris Stratton sailed into the ninth with the Giants trailing by one run 3-2. The Padres scored three runs in the top of the ninth to get some insurance runs for a 6-2 lead. Stratton said the loss was his fault and Stratton almost had a complete game.

Matt Harrington does the MLB The Show podcast on Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Clayton Richard stifles Giants 6-2, Padres snap 5-game losing skid

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Photo credit: @NBCSGiants

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — Chris Stratton tried to get the San Francisco Giants over the .500 mark on the season, but the San Diego Padres did not help out at all.

Cory Spangenberg scored the eventual game-winning run, when Nick Hundley attempted to throw out Freddy Galvis at second base, but the throw by Hundley went into centerfield and the Padres defeated the Giants 6-2 before a crowd of 40,546 at AT&T Park on Friday night.

The win by the Padres broke a five-game losing streak, their longest losing streak since September 24-29, 2017.

Hundley tried to stop the wild pitch thrown by Stratton, but it bounced and when Hundley picked it up, his throw was out of the reach of either Alen Hanson and Brandon Crawford that allowed Spangenberg to score easily from third base.

“Nick yanked the throw a little bit,” said Giants manager Bruce Bochy. “From our angle (in the dugout) it is hard to tell.”

The key play in that inning was an amazing diving by Buster Posey, who dove to prevent the ball from going down the right field line on the ball hit by Spangenberg. Posey got up to throw to Stratton and first base umpire Pat Hoberg called the feet first sliding Spangenberg out at first, but Padres manager Andy Green challenged the call and after a 32-second review, the call was reversed.

“That was 100 percent on me,” said Stratton.

The Giants got off to a quick start against Padres starter Clayton Richard, as Gorkys Hernandez doubled off of Richard to lead off the bottom of the first inning. Posey then hit a long fly ball that sent Hernandez to third, and he then scored on a Richard wild pitch.

Manuel Margot tied up the game in the top of the second inning, as he doubled to score Spangenberg, who doubled to lead off the inning.

Richard retired 17 in a row before Hernandez doubled in the bottom of the sixth inning, but he was stranded at second, when Posey flew out to Wil Myers in left field.

The left-hander won for the seventh time this season, as he went six innings, allowing two runs on just three hits, walking no one and striking out three.

It was a tough loss for Stratton, who saw his record fall to 8-5 on the season, as he went six innings, allowing three runs on nine hits, not walking a batter and striking out three.

This was the first time that Stratton allowed nine hits in a game since May 14th, when he did it against the Cincinnati Reds.

Pablo Sandoval got the Giants within a run in the bottom of the seventh inning, as he singled off of Craig Stammen to score Andrew McCutchen, who singled to lead off the inning against Richard. McCutchen then stole second, and scored on the Sandoval single, it was the sixth stolen base of the season for McCutchen.

Pinch hitter Joe Panik led off the bottom of the eighth inning with a sharp single, but Padres reliever Kirby Yates regrouped and retired Hernandez, Posey and McCutchen in succession to get out of the jam. Yates did have a hiccup with McCutchen at the plate, as he uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Panik to move up to second base; however, Yates got McCutchen to strikeout swinging to end the inning.

The Padres then broke the game wide-open in the top of the ninth inning, as they scored three runs off of Pierce Johnson and Will Smith. Johnson walked the first two batters before getting Matt Szczur out on a sacrifice bunt.

Following an intentional walk to Myers, Eric Hosmer then singled in both Manuel Margot and Raffy Lopez. Jose Pirela then singled in Myers, but Pirela was caught in a rundown to end the inning.

This was the first loss for Stratton at AT&T Park since losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers 15-6 on April 28th. In that game, Stratton went only 1.1 innings, allowing six runs on six hits, walking four and striking out three.

Brandon Crawford is hitless over his last 18 at bats, the third longest streak of his big-league career. The only streaks are longer are 21 at bats from June 26-July 3, 2013 and then a 20 at-bat hitless streak from April 9-15, 2015.

NOTES: Andrew Suarez looks to get the Giants back into the win column on Saturday afternoon, as he takes the mound against the Padres Jordan Lyles.

Jeff Samardzija, who is currently on the disabled list with right shoulder tightness went four innings, allowing two runs on four hits and seven strikeouts in his second rehab start for the Sacramento Rivercats. Samardzija last pitched for the Giants on May 29th, a span of 21 games.

In his last four relief appearances, Ty Blach has not allowed a run, a span of 9.2 innings.

UP NEXT: The Giants and Padres meet again on Saturday afternoon at 1:05 pm PDT.