Tag: San Francisco Giants

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman: Eldridge’s homer and offense key in SF line up

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San Francisco Giants Bryce Eldridge gives thanks to the Almighty after connecting for a home run in the bottom of the first innng at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Fri Aug 28, 2026 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman:

#1 How did Bryce Eldridge and Christian Koss contribute offensively for the Giants, and how important were their home runs in keeping San Francisco competitive?

#2 What went wrong for Giants starting pitcher Blade Tidwell, particularly during Arizona’s five-run third inning?

#3How did Jung Hoo Lee, Bryce Eldridge, and Christian Koss help the Giants build an early lead despite Arizona’s eventual comeback?

#4 What impact did Logan Webb’s ejection have on the Giants, and what circumstances led to manager Tony Vitello and Webb being ejected?

#5 With the Giants scoring six runs and hitting home runs through Bryce Eldridge and Christian Koss, what prevented San Francisco from overcoming Arizona’s pitching and offensive surge?

Join Stephen Ruderman for the San Francisco Giants podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Diamondbacks roll past the Giants, 10-6, on the team’s Native American Heritage Night

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San Francisco Giants (#0) Drew Gilbert at-bat against Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher (#68) Gerardo Carrillo in the bottom of the fifth inning of an MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Friday, August 28th, 2026. (Photo credit to editor Michael Villanueva)

By Michael Villanueva

SAN FRANCISCO – After winning Thursday night’s game over Arizona, the Giants now have won three of their last four games. The San Francisco Giants (55-80) failed to secure a split series against the Arizona Diamondbacks (72-64), losing Friday night’s game, 10-6. This is the Giants’ ninth loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, their most in a single season against the Diamondbacks since 2022.

The winning pitcher would go to Arizona Diamondback Gerardo Carrillo, his third of the season. The losing pitcher would go to San Francisco Giants Blade Tidwell, his first loss of the season. Tidwell finished the night with seven hits, six runs, four strikeouts, and three home runs.

First pitch of the game and Arizona was not playing around and taking last night’s loss easy. Arizona’s Lars Nootbaar gets his fifth homer of the season on a fly ball to center field. San Francisco Giants pitcher Blade Tidwell’s first pitch of his first start of the season was not what he expected, but he was able to shake it off and strike out the next two batters.

However, San Francisco Giants Bryce Eldridge took Nootbaar’s homer personally, so at his first at-bat of the game, Eldridge brings in his 15th homer of the season out to right field, and tying the ball game at 1-1 after the bottom of the first inning. Going into the second inning, Giants pitcher Blade Tidwell was able to shake off his first-inning performance and get the next three outs with ease.

The Giants were able to get a run in at the bottom of the second inning. Giants Jung Hoo Lee got himself a single, and then after that was able to get in scoring position for himself. Setting up his teammate, Giants Turner Hill, on a sacrifice out, and bringing in Lee to score, and taking the lead, 2-1. After that, going into the third inning, Arizona took over the game from here.

Arizona’s Lars Nootbaar strikes again and gets himself a double, his eleventh of the season. Then Arizona Corbin Carroll got himself his 19th homer of the season, to center field, and bringing in two runs and taking the lead at, 3-2. The Diamondbacks were not done with their hitting as Geraldo Perdomo gets a single. Next, Arizona’s Nolan Arenado gets his twenty-first double of the season. Setting up his teammate, Tim Tawa, to get his ninth homer of the season and bring in three runs, making the score 6-2.

After Arizona’s five runs scoring inning, the Giants were frustration was showing, especially from the bullpen. Giants manager Tony Vitello and RHP Logan Webb were both ejected from the ballgame in the bottom of the third. San Francisco was able to bounce back after losing their manager and get a run in from Bryce Eldridge on his 17th double of the season, which that had brought in Giants Rafael Devers to score, 6-3.

San Francisco was able to at least get a run in the first four innings of the game. At the bottom of the fourth, Giants Christian Koss joins the homerun party, as he would get himself his first of the season and bringing in a run as well. The Giants would be down by one run, 6-5. With Koss’s homer, the Giants were ready to do whatever it takes to get this home win. However, the Giants would mentally fall apart after San Francisco changed pitchers. The Giants would end Blade Tidwell’s night and bring in RHP Spencer Bivens.

With the Giants changing pitchers, that still didn’t stop Arizona from bringing in more runs. Spencer’s first batter was Arizona’s Tim Tawa; Tawa would get himself on base with a single, and then the next batter, James McCann, would hit a ground-rule double to left field, his sixth of the season. Ultimately setting up their teammate Lldemaro Vargas for a single and bringing in his teammates for two more runs. The score was now 8-5. Then, Vargas would score from Corbin Carroll’s sacrifice fly to left field, making the score 9-5.

Heading into the top of the seventh inning, Arizona was able to get one more run for the night from Geraldo Perdomo, who got walked and then was able to get himself into scoring position from James McCann’s single to left field. Arizona would now hold a five run lead over San Francisco, 10-5.

Arizona’s last run was ultimately the dagger in this ball game as the Giants were unable to get a comeback going in front of the home crowd. At most, San Francisco would be able to get one run in at the bottom of the eighth, and then after that it became a smooth night for the Diamondbacks as they would get the win.

The San Francisco Giants are gonna have themselves a long day Saturday as the team prepares for a doubleheader with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The first game will have the first pitch at 1:05 p.m., and the second game’s first pitch will be at 7:05 p.m.

Both of these games will be broadcast live on NBCS BA. Starting pitchers for the front game Arizona RHP Merrill Kelly (8-12 ERA 5.35) for San Francisco TBA. In the night cap for Arizona LHP Mitch Bratt (1-2 ERA 4.54) for San Francisco TBA.

San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez: Gilbert slugs first career leadoff home run in Giants 6-1 win

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San Francisco Giants Drew Gilbert (0) slugs a home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the bottom of the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Thu Aug 27, 2026 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez:

#1 The San Francisco Giants win over the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-1 snaps the Giants four game home losing streak to the Arizona that goes back to Sep 10, 2025.

#2 The Giants Drew Gilbert slugged a leadoff home run his first leadoff home run of his career.

#3 Gilbert is now hitting .288, with nine runs, with seven extra base hits, with three home runs, 13 RBIs and has made a difference in the lineup.

#4 Giants starting pitcher Landen Roupp held the Diamondbacks off going five innings, allowing four hits, walked two, and struck out three hitters.

#5 D-Backs-Giants match up for game two of the series Friday at 7:15pm PDT. Starters for Arizona LHP Kohl Drake (0-1 ERA 5.40) and for San Francisco RHP Blade Tidwell (0-0 ERA 3.58).

Join Lincoln Juarez for the SF Giants podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants Bounce Back Behind Roupp, Four-Run Eighth to Beat Diamondbacks 6-1

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Landen Roupp #65 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning at Oracle Park on August 27, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Mandatory photo credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The Giants suffered maybe their most brutal loss of the year on Wednesday during the getaway day game against the Cincinnati Reds. Leading 9-3 heading into the ninth inning, the Giants coughed up the lead and lost the game 10-9 in what was a disastrous bullpen performance. On Thursday, the Giants looked to get back on track as they welcomed the Arizona Diamondbacks to town at 6:45 p.m. PDT at Oracle Park for an NL West showdown.

The Giants defeated the Diamondbacks behind a strong offensive showing in the eighth inning, 6-1. Landen Roupp got the win, and he is now 8-13 on the season.

Landen Roupp took the mound for the Giants to open the four-game series against the Snakes as he made his 26th appearance this season (all starts). Roupp, who entered play on Thursday as the league’s losingest pitcher, cruised through the first three innings of the game before running into some trouble in the fourth inning. Roupp gave up a solo home run to start the inning before the Diamondbacks loaded the bases with just one out. Landen worked out of that jam to limit the damage to just the home run. All in, Roupp went five innings of one-run, four-hit baseball while walking two and striking out three. It was a solid outing for Roupp, who has averaged about five and a third innings this year in his starts.

Trent Harris was first out of the bullpen for Tony Vitello and the Giants as he came in to relieve Roupp and pitched the sixth and seventh innings. Harris was fantastic as he didn’t allow a hit or a walk in his two innings while striking out three Diamondbacks hitters.

Carson Seymour was next out of the arm barn for the Giants as he came on to pitch the eighth inning. Seymour did his best to match Harris as he threw a scoreless inning, allowing no runs or hits while walking one.

In the ninth inning and with the lead, the Giants turned to Ryan Walker to try and get the final three outs. It wasn’t as clean as the Giants would have liked it, but Walker recorded the final three outs of the game without giving up a run. Walker tossed a scoreless ninth while giving up two hits and striking out one.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Giants scored six runs on seven hits while walking two times.

The Giants’ first run of the game came with their first batter of the game as Drew Gilbert drilled a solo home run over the wall in right-center field. Gilbert knew he got it when he hit it as he stood and admired the shot at home plate for a moment before commencing his jog around the bases. It was Gilbert’s eighth home run of the season and his 35th RBI as it also marked the third time this season the Giants have opened a game with a home run.

The Giants’ second run of the game also came courtesy of Drew Gilbert as he drove home Christian Koss with an RBI sacrifice fly in the fifth inning. It was Gilbert’s second RBI of the game and his 36th of the season.

In the eighth inning, the Giants exploded for four runs behind Jung Hoo Lee, Rafael Devers and Bryce Eldridge, starting a rally.

Bryce Eldridge doubled home Jung Hoo Lee, who reached with a pinch-hit walk two batters earlier, to give the Giants their third run of the game. It was the 16th double for Bryce and his 36th RBI of the year.

Jonah Cox gave the Giants their fourth run of the game on an RBI single to center field that scored Rafael Devers from third base, his seventh RBI of the year.

Turner Hill was next to get in on the action as he drove in his fourth run of the year as Bryce Eldridge scored on his RBI single.

Lastly, the Giants scored their sixth run of the game on an RBI sacrifice bunt from Shay Whitcomb, who drove in Jonah Cox. It was the eighth RBI of the year for Shay.

The Giants and Diamondbacks will play game two of their four-game series on Friday at 7:15 p.m. PDT at Oracle Park. Blake Tidwell (0-0, 3.58 ERA) is slated to start for the Giants while Arizona has yet to announce a starter.

San Francisco Giants game wrap: Giants blow 9-3 lead on verge of first sweep, and Reds score 7 in 9th inning to top Giants 10-9

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San Francisco Giants Rafael Devers (right) watches his two run home run leave Oracle Park in the bottom of the fifth inning against Cincinnati Reds catcher Jose Trevino (left) at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants game wrap:

Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Cincinnati Reds 10 (63-71)

San Francisco Giants 9 (54-79)

Win: Tony Santillan (2-4)

Loss: Dylan Smith (0-5)

Save: Emilio Pagan (17)

Time: 3:15

Attendance: 24,130

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–A lead in an article can’t generally be more than two sentences, so my lead Wednesday is to let you all know that, because this game was that heartbreaking and chaotic.

The Giants were finally going to do it. Logan Webb bounced back from his disastrous start in Boston with a solid six-inning performance, and the Giants’ offense came alive in the latter part of the game. The Giants went to the ninth inning up 9-3, and three outs away from their long-awaited first sweep of the season, but the Reds scored seven runs in the ninth to beat the Giants 10-9.

With the fact that the Giants had a chance to sweep their first series all year, Tony Vitello decided to have his ace, Logan Webb, who was originally supposed to go Thursday, start Wednesday. Webb was coming off a very-uncharacteristic start at Fenway Park last Friday, in which he hit two guys, and allowed seven-straight baserunners in the bottom of the third inning.

With Webb, you would have to imagine that something like this would not happen again any time soon. The Giants would certainly need Webb to be his usual self if they wanted to pick up that coveted first sweep of the season.

The top of the first inning Wednesday was a bit interesting to say the least. Hector Rodriguez reached on an error by second-baseman Shay Whitcomb on the first pitch of the game. Ely De La Cruz reached on a fielder’s choice, and stole second base.

The Reds had runners at first and second with two outs, when First Base Umpire Ben May ruled that Eugenio Suarez had checked his swing. Tony Vitello let May and Home Plate Umpire Ryan Blakney have it. It would be Blakney who would throw Vitello out.

It was Tony’s fourth ejection of the year. I gotta say that for a manager to have four ejections through the end of August with ABS around, that’s pretty encouraging. We got some early entertainment, and better yet, Webb got out of the jam unscathed.

Left-hander Nick Lodolo took the ball for the Reds. The Giants loaded the bases, but were unable to come through against him in the bottom of the first.

Jose Trevino lined a single the other way to right, just out of the reach of Rafael Devers at first base, to put the Reds on the board in the top of the second. Ke’Bryan Hayes then grounded into an inning-ending double play, and the damage was limited to just the run.

The Giants had a little two-out magic go for them in the bottom of the second. Shea Whitcomb doubled with two outs, and Jonah Cox hit a two-run home run to center field to put the Giants ahead.

Unfortunately, the Giants’ lead was short lived, as Hector Rodriguez led off the top of the third with a home run to left-center, which tied it up. Webb survived runners in scoring position in the third and fourth, and then he finally threw his first 1-2-3 inning of the day in the top of the fifth.

Lodolo threw his first—and what would turn out to be his only—one, two, three inning in the bottom of the fourth. Cox walked to start the bottom of the fifth, and Devers hit one into the water to put the Giants back ahead. It was the 111th splash hit by a Giant in the 27-year history of Oracle Park, and the third for Devers.

Osleivis Basabe then grounded a base-hit to left, and that did it for Lodolo. Terry Francona brought in Julian Garcia, who got through the rest of the inning without any trouble.

Webb finished his day with a scoreless top of the sixth. His outing was a bit shaky at times, but he managed to give up just two runs over six solid innings.

Shay Whitcomb hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth to extend the Giants’ lead to 6-2.

Jason Foley came in for the seventh, and things got a bit scary. Hayes, Rodriguez and De La Cruz all singled with one out to load the bases.

Jayce Tingler, who was managing in place of the ejected Tony Vitello, brought in Ryan Walker. Sal Stewart knocked in a run with a sacrifice fly to make it 6-3. JJ Bleday then challenged a called third strike, and turned it into ball four to load the bases. However, the crisis was averted when Eugenio Suarez popped out to end the inning.

Spencer Bivens threw a scoreless top of the eighth. With two outs in the bottom of the eighth Drew Gilbert pinch-hit, and hit a three-run double out to right-center to open it up to 9-3.

So, there we were. The Giants were three outs away from finally sweeping a three-game series for the first time all season. However, we had to remember that this was the Giants’ bullpen we were talking about. We also had to remember that the Giants had already lost nine times this season when leading in the ninth inning.

But they weren’t going to blow this big of a lead in the ninth? Were they?

Well, I’ll try and make this as quick as I can to save you all some time. Rodriguez led off the top of the ninth with his second home run of the game. Four batters later, right after Dylan Smith was brought in, Suarez hit a grand slam to make it 9-8.

Now, you all know where this is going. Two bunt singles, an error and a stolen base put runners at second and third. By the way, in case anyone is wondering, there were still no outs at this point. Anyway, Jose Trevino tied the game with a sacrifice fly, and Tyler Stephenson gave the Reds the lead with a base-hit to left.

Reiver Sanmartin had to finish off the top of the ninth, and the Giants were up against the veteran, Emilio Pagan, in the bottom of the ninth. To give credit to the Giants, they had some fight in them, but Pagan pitched a scoreless inning nevertheless.

To put all of this in layman’s terms: the Giants were three outs away from their first sweep of the season, but the bullpen blew a 9-3 lead in the ninth inning.

Tony Vitello had even sacrificed himself to get the sweep, but to no avail.

Through the chaos and heartbreak, Tony Santillan got the win; Dylan Smith took the loss; and Emilio Pagan picked up the save.

Yes, this was heartbreaking. As much of a nightmare as this season has been, the Giants were finally going to sweep a three-game series. That would have been a nice little accomplishment. It would have been Tony’s first three-game sweep as a big league manager. Then they blew it.

The Giants fall to 54-79. They have also lost their 10th game when leading in the ninth inning this season.

Maybe, some people can point to Wednesday’s game as the true rock bottom for the Giants. However, as I have said over the last three months, this entire season has been rock bottom for the Giants. Wednesday’s heartbreaker was just another episode.

Now, the Arizona Diamondbacks will come in for four starting Thursday night. There will be games Thursday night and Friday night, followed by a day-night doubleheader on Saturday.

The Diamondbacks are just a game back of the San Diego Padres for the third wild card spot in the National League, so the Giants will have a chance to play spoilers. Unfortunately, the Giants are 1-8 against the Diamondbacks this season.

Starting pitchers for Arizona RHP Jose Cabrera (0-2 ERA 5.60) for San Francisco RHP (7-13 ERA 4.34) on Thursday Night Baseball

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

Anthony Molina

Giants lose another pitcher but still beat Reds 3-1

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Photo: Anthony Molina, who was traded from the Atlanta Braves to the San Francisco Giants for Tyler Mahle, made his Giants debut against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif. (Jay Choi/SF Bay News Lab).

By Vince Cestone

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants churned another impressive pitching performance on Tuesday night but lost yet another arm to the injured list.

After losing starting pitcher Carson Whisenhunt to a torn UCL on Monday night, the Giants lost Adrian Houser to an apparent right arm injury after he was taken out of the game in the top of the second inning. There is no word yet on the extent of Houser’s injury.

But despite the injured pitchers, the Giants marched on to a 3-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night. The bullpen picked up the slack, just like on Monday night, and was superb for 7 1/3 innings of one-run ball.

The Giants started the scoring yet again in the first inning. After Drew Gilbert was hit by a pitch, first baseman Rafael Devers walked. Designated hitter Jung Hoo Lee then walked to load the bases for rookie left fielder Turner Hill who flew out to shallow left field. With the bases still loaded and one out, catcher Drew Cavanaugh singled on a ground ball up the middle, bringing in two runs and giving the Giants a 2-0 lead. Cavanaugh ended up going 3-for-3 on the day. The 2-0 lead would prove to be enough to lead the Giants to victory.

San Francisco tacked on another run on a Devers home run, his 28th of the year, to give the Giants a 3-0 lead.

The Reds scored their lone run of the series in the top of the ninth inning against Carson Seymour. Seymour gave up the home run to Sal Stewart, an opposite field shot over the 24-foot-high right-field wall.

On the pitching side for the Giants, Anthony Molina relieved Houser and threw 4 1/3 innings of scoreless ball. He gave up just one hit and one walk, while striking out one. Molina was acquired from the Braves for Tyler Mahle.

For the Reds, Brady Singer had a solid start, but it wasn’t enough to beat the Giants. Singer went 5 2/3 innings, giving up three runs on six hits, while walking two and striking out five. Singer now has a 4.72 ERA on the year.

Up next, the Giants will go for their first series sweep of the year. Landen Roupp (7-13, 4.34 ERA) will take on Nick Lodolo (3-3, 5.04 ERA). Game time is at 12:45 p.m. at Oracle Park on Wednesday afternoon.

If the Giants were ever going to get a series sweep in 2026, Wednesday afternoon’s game will be their best chance.

He was a Giant? series: Heavy Hitters & Plump Pitchers Weighing in on the All-Time Gargantuan Giants 

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Former New York Giants manager John McGraw who has the most wins of any manager in MLB history (photo from facebook)

 Hitters & Plump Pitchers:  Weighing in on the All-Time Gargantuan Giants::

By Tony the Tiger Hayes

Just as there is no “crying in baseball”, there’s no place for “fat shaming”  either. Not only is mocking someone’s weight mean-spirited and cruel, in baseball, a wispy waistline, six-pack abs and  sculpted biceps and thighs don’t necessarily guarantee success. 

Chunky former All-Star John Kruk nailed it when he responded to a rude question regarding his weight, retorting: 

“Lady, I’m not an athlete, I’m a professional baseball player.”

The baseball Hall of Fame – from Babe Ruth and Hack Wilson to C.C. Sabathia and Tony Gwynn  – is filled with many jumbo sized legends. 

The Giants recently debuted husky 23-year-old LHP Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson. The chunky 6’1, 270 pound Canadian kid has a vast midriff rivaling the Great White North in expanse. 

In his MLB debut, “Tugboat” tossed two scoreless innings. His future is bright in San Francisco. 

So we decided there’s no better time than to take to a look at the Top 10 New York/San Francisco Giants all-time players with BMI’s that might give members of the World Health Organization heart palpitations.

  • John McGraw. We start with the O.G.: Obese Giant. The pudgy legendary manager helmed the Giants for 30 years during the franchise’s height of popularity in New York City, winning World Series titles in 1905 and 1921-22. Though he was sinewy during his playing days, McGraw developed an impressive boiler as Giants field general from 1902-32. 
  • Tom Sheehan. When Bill Rigney was abruptly dismissed as manager in mid-1960. Giants president Horace Stoneham seeming gave the interim skipper job to the first person he turned to at the saloon, team adviser and drinking buddy Sheehan.

At that point the portly  Sheehan  was 66 and had not worn a big league uniform in more than  three decades. 

 Sheehan, was so roly-poly, the Giants didn’t immediately have a uniform large enough to fit him. So Sheehan managed his first few games in an Orange & Black satin wind breaker and his own gaberdine slacks. 

  • Herman Franks. Unlike “Ballpark Franks” that “plump when you cook them” former New York Giants catcher Franks was already plump when he took over the Giants managerial reins in 1965. 
  • John Pregenzer. For a period from 1963 to 1964, Pregenzer – a gargantuan 6-foot-5, 250 pounder – made headlines when a 30-something year-old San Francisco Chronicle newsroom employee named Novella O’Hara started the “John Pregenzer Fan Club” upon hearing the Giants had acquired the unestablished spectacles-sporting pitcher from Pittsburgh for the low, low price of $100. 
  • Rick Reuschel. “Big Daddy” came as advertised. A behemoth 6’3, 260 pounder, Rick resembled a beefy tuba player in a polka band. But the comically large right-hander was deceiving with his athleticism. A  fantastic pitcher, Reuschel significantly helped the Giants to division title in 1987 and the division and NL crowns in 1989 while never missing a meal in North Beach. 
  • Livan Hernandez. After defecting from his native Cuba in the mid-1990s it was rumored that the once angular RHP ate nothing but Big Macs for a solid year. By the time he arrived in San Francisco, livin’ large Livo was a plus-sized pitcher. Though he is probably best known for losing game 7 of the 2002 World Series, Hernandez posted a winning ledger in his five seasons with the club.  
  • Juan Uribe. Unlike the slight Jose Uribe who held down the Giants shortstop job in their late ‘80s glory days, cousin Juan was burly  and thickset, but also a winning player and a major component of the Giants 2010 world championship club, smoking a career high 24 home runs and contributing many key hits in the postseason. 
  • Sidney Ponson. After his first game with the Giants – after being acquired from Baltimore in mid-2003 – the bloated Sir Sidney was spotted  on Fisherman’s Wharf chowing down on a plate of Hooters chicken wings. The beer and fried food aficionado wasn’t asked back in 2004.   
  • Gene Machi. There are well-rounded athletes and then there are simply round athletes like 6’0, 260 pound relief pitcher Machi who helped the 2014 Giants to a third World Series title in five years, posting a 7-1 record in a team high 71 games. 
  • Rod Beck. This easy to love stout closer was a beer guzzling, cigarette smoking regular dude. With his ample belly, trailer trash  mullet  and a fu Manchu  ‘stache Beck was was one of most original looking Giants ever. 

Pablo Sandoval. Early on in his Giants career, team officials tried like hell to keep the rotund Sandoval’s weight down. But at a certain point they just gave up and it really didn’t seem to make a difference. The “Kung Fu Panda” hit whether he was in shape or not. Pablo was a major contributor to three Giants World Series winning clubs, taking home MVP honors in the 2012 Fall Classic sweep of Detroit.  

Rafael Devers

Giants get back on track at home, cruise to 5-0 victory over Reds

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Photo: San Francisco Giants’ Rafael Devers, right, watches his three-run home run in front of Cincinnati Reds catcher Jose Trevino, left, during the second inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

By Vince Cestone

SAN FRANCISCO — After a disastrous 1-5 road trip through Cleveland and Boston, the San Francisco Giants just needed some home cooking to get back on track, as they defeated the Cincinnati Reds at Oracle Park on Monday night 5-0.

The Giants got on the board early and never looked back. In the bottom of the first inning, center fielder Drew Gilbert hit a ground-rule double to right-center field to get the Giants going. Then, first baseman Rafael Devers singled to advance Gilbert to third. Gilbert was then singled home by Jung Hoo Lee, and the Giants were off to a quick 1-0 lead. With Devers advancing to third on Lee’s single, rookie outfielder Turner Hill doubled to right field, scoring Devers and giving San Francisco an early 2-0 lead. The Giants could’ve been up 3-0, but Lee was thrown out trying to score on Hill’s double. The next two batters struck out, and the Giants settled for just two runs in the inning.

San Francisco got back to work in the very next inning. After two quick outs in the bottom of the second inning, Christian Koss singled to start the rally. Gilbert then doubled to left field, advancing Koss to third. That set it up for Devers, who then hit a long home run to right-center field, past the 415-foot marker in Triple’s Alley. The Giants were then up 5-0, which was more than enough for the Giants to cruise to victory. The home run was Devers’ 27th of the year.

Gilbert and Devers each ended up going 2-for-4 on the night. Koss went 2-for-3.

On the pitching side, the Giants were superb, a rarity for the struggling Giants’ pitching staff. But after starting pitcher Carson Whisenhunt threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings, he had to leave the game with an injury. He had struck out three batters on two hits and one walk. It’s a shame for Whisenhunt because he could’ve been on his way to his best start of the year. Whisenhunt left the game with an apparent left arm injury. Jason Foley relieved Whisenhunt with 1 1/3 perfect innings, with three strikeouts. The rest of the bullpen didn’t give up a run for the rest of the game.

For the Reds, the pitching wasn’t so good. In 3 2/3 innings, starting pitcher Chase Burns surrendered five runs on nine hits, while walking one and striking out five. But the Reds bullpen did not allow a hit or run in the game.

Giants designated hitter and first baseman Bryce Eldridge was not in the lineup on Monday night because he was on the bereavement list. He is attending his grandfather’s funeral in Virginia and is expected to be back later this homestand against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Up next, the Giants will go for the series win on Tuesday night against the Reds. Adrian Houser (4-7, 4.08 ERA) will take on Brady Singer (5-11, 4.72 ERA). Game time is at 6:45 p.m. at Oracle Park.

If the Giants want to avoid losing 100 games, they may want to start winning some games now–at least until they play more games against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

San Francisco Giants podcast Ryan Hannagan: Giants Wisenhunt gets the call against Reds Monday to open series

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San Francisco Giants starter Carson Wisenhunt will face the Cincinnati Reds at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Mon Aug 24, 2026 (AP file photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Ryan Hannagan:

#1 How did Jonah Cox contribute offensively for the San Francisco Giants against the Boston Red Sox, and what milestone did he reach with his home run?

#2 What impact did Bryce Eldridge have at the plate after collecting two hits and an RBI Eldridge is out due to the passing of his grandfather?

#3 How did Victor Bericoto’s RBI single help the Giants establish an early lead, and what happened to him later in the game?

#4 How did Christian Koss’s seventh-inning inside-the-park-style home run briefly give the Giants momentum, and why couldn’t San Francisco hold on?

#5 The Giants open up a three game set with the Cincinnati Reds at Oracle Park on Monday night going for Cincinnati RHP Chase Burns (14-2 ERA 2.51) for San Francisco LHP Carson Wisenhunt (3-4, ERA 7.03) first pitch 6:45pm PDT

Ryan Hannagan filled in for Marko Ukalovic for the San Francisco Giants podcasts heard each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants game wrap: Giants Get Swept By Red Sox After Taking Early Lead 5-4

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The bat of the Boston Red Sox Wilson Contreas (right) just misses San Francisco Giants catcher Andrew Knizner (left) in the bottom of the third inning at Fenway Park in Boston (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Sunday afternoon the San Francisco Giants (52-77) finished up their series with the Boston Red Sox (70-59) looking to avoid being swept. Once again the Giants took an early lead scoring two runs in the first inning.

They would score another run in the top of the second taking a 3-0 lead when Jonah Cox hit a solo homer. The Red Sox began to make their move in the bottom of the second inning scoring a run off a Nick Sogard long ball and the score was 3-1.

Boston struck again in the third inning scoring another run and the San Francisco lead was in jeopardy the score now 3-2. The fourth inning was disastrous for Giants starting pitcher Matt Wilkinson who had already given up three runs and now giving another couple of doubles and the tying run in the game.

With the score tied at three JT Brubaker relieved Wilkinson only to allow two more Red Sox runs. Boston took the 5-3 lead into the seventh inning. San Francisco scored a run in the seventh inning and trailed by a single run 5-4 but did not threaten again.

They were unable to tie up this game in the eighth inning. They went three and out in the ninth inning. Aroldis Chapman who is having an excellent season had yet another win under his belt with Sunday’s save in the top of the ninth inning. With the 5-4 win, the Red Sox had swept the series. Boston now trails the Yankees by three games in the American League East.

GAME RECAP

The San Giants got another nice start in game three of their series with the Boston Red Sox. Rafael Devers walked and advanced to third on a Willy Adames single. Bryce Eldridge also singled and drove Devers home for the first run of the game.

Victor Bericoto singled and the Giants were having a very productive first inning. The Bericoto single drove in Adames and San Francisco had a 2-0 lead. Matt Wilkinson got his second start in this game after a great start last week. He struggled to start giving up two singles but Boston was unable to score leaving the two runners stranded.

The Giants Jonah Cox homered to start the second inning and San Francisco had a 3-0 lead going into the bottom of the third. The Red Sox forged their comeback starting in the bottom of the inning with a Nick Sogard home run cutting the Giants lead to 3-1.

San Francisco got very little offense in the top of the third inning. Boston continued their rally in the bottom of the inning. Jahmai Jones tripled and a Ceddanne Rafaela single drove Jones home for a second run and with the score 3-2 things got a bit uncomfortable for the Giants. Giants starting pitcher Wilkinson started to struggle giving up three runs, a triple and a home run through three innings.

There was more trouble awaiting Matt Wilkinson giving up two doubles to start the fourth inning and would be relieved by JT Brubaker. Nick Sogard doubled and drove Connor Wong home and this game was tied at three apiece. Brubaker gave up a Mickey Gasper double and with Wong on base another run came home and the Red Sox had taken the lead 4-3. A Rafaela single drove Gasper home and Boston went into the fifth inning now leading 5-3

Boston took the 5-3 lead into the seventh inning. San Francisco finally had their first base runner in the top of the seventh since the fourth inning their offense becoming very quiet Christian Koss had reached first base on an infield single and scored on a throwing error by Wilyer Abreu.

The Giants now trailed by a single run 5-4. The Red Sox went three and out with Sam Hentges on the mound. Hentges had relieved Brubaker since the middle of the sixth inning.

San Francisco struggled in the eighth inning unable to get that tying run and this game went into the top of the ninth inning with the Red Sox still leading 5-4. The Giants were down to their last three outs.

Aroldis Chapman would try to close out this game for the Red Sox and finish the series with a sweep. Jung Hoo Lee grounded out for the first out. Andrew Knizner ground out and Jonah Cox struck out and that was the ball game with the Red Sox sweeping this series and winning game three 5-4. Despite trailing at times during this series Boston continued to find a way to win and the Giants continue to try and weather some serious struggles.

GAME NOTES

The bottom of the fourth inning was the turning point of this game. The Giants looked excellent early in the game but it turned around quickly. They scored the two early runs and added another in the top of the third but their offense went pretty cold for the rest of the game.

Boston began to chip away with runs in the second and third innings. Then it all came apart in the fourth inning when Boston scored three runs taking a 5-3 lead. All the momentum swung in favor of the Red Sox at that point.

The Giants did fight back scoring a run in the seventh inning but just couldn’t get that tying run. San Francisco couldn’t stop Boston’s middle-inning comeback. Once the Red Sox took that 5-3 lead the Giants were playing catch-up for the rest of the game. The Giants were in position to avoid getting swept but a stalled out offense put that to rest.

San Francisco starting pitcher Matt Wilkinson had a bit of a mixed but encouraging outing today. He pitched 3 2/3 innings. He was able to give the Giants nearly four innings in only his second major-league start.

He gave up seven hits, four earned runs with two strikeouts and now has a 6.35 ERA. He was able to keep Boston from immediately blowing the game wide open after the Giants took their early lead. Most importantly, he was not the reason that San Francisco lost. The biggest issue was what happened after he left and Boston was able to turn the game around.

Monday San Francisco will take on the Cincinnati Reds in a three game series back home at Oracle Park. Carson Whisenhunt will take the mound for the Giants with a 3-4 win/loss record and a 7.03 ERA. The Reds plan on starting Chase Burns. He has a 14-2 win/loss record and a 2.51 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 6:45 PM.