Tag: San Francisco Giants

Giants explode for six-run fourth inning to back solid start from Webb in 7-1 win over Rockies

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Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Colorado Rockies 1 (49-74)

San Francisco Giants 7 (51-72)

Win: Logan Webb (8-7)

Loss: Michael Lorenzen (3-11)

Time: 2:26

Attendance: 35,069

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO– San Francisco Giants starter Logan Webb was solid, as he gave up a run, and struck out seven over six innings. He was backed up by the Giants’ offense, which exploded for six runs off of Colorado Rockies starter Michael Lorenzen in the bottom of the fourth inning, as the Giants won 7-1 Saturday afternoon at Oracle Park.

Webb was once again the stopper, following a lifeless performance by the Giants’ offense in a 5-2 loss Friday night. If you want to know honesty, it was possibly the worst overall-played game in baseball this season.

Turner Hill was in the lineup and left field to make his major league debut Saturday, and he got to catch the first out of the game. Welcome to the big leagues, kid!

Webb threw a one two three top of the first inning to open things up, and the Giants would come up against Lorenzen in the bottom of the first. Like Kyle Freeland Friday night, Lorenzen came into today’s game 3-10.

Webb threw a scoreless top of the second, which included his100th-career strikeout. Webb struck out the side, and it was a good thing his strikeout of Zac Veen for the second out was his100th K. He struck out TJ Rumfield on, get this, a pitch clock violation for the first out of the inning.

The Rockies manufactured a run with three-straight singles on three-straight pitches with one out in the top of the third. Drew Gilbert responded, and tied the game with a home run to right with one out in the bottom of the third.

Webb settled back down for a one two three top of the fourth. As for Lorenzen, the Giants would have their way with him in the bottom of the fourth.

Jung Hoo Lee and Oseleivis Basabe opened the bottom of the fourth with base-hits. Drew Cavanaugh then walked to load the bases for the kid, Turner Hill. Hill wouldn’t have his Brian Dallimore moment with a grand slam, but he would give the Giants the lead with a sacrifice fly to left field to knock in Lee.

With the bases loaded and two outs, Drew Gilbert grounded a base-hit up the middle, and into center field to knock in a pair of runs. That made it 4-1, and the beat went on.

Parker Mushinski replaced Lorenzen, and Rafael Devers hit a ground rule double that bounced off the left field foul pole to make it 5-1. Gilbert then scored on a wild pitch to make it 6-1.

Bryce Eldridge topped it off when he poked a base-hit to center. That gave Eldridge a six-game hitting streak, and it capped off a six-run inning for the Giants.

Webb threw a shutdown one two three top of the fifth. There was a bit of a scary moment when Brett Sullivan led off the inning line drive off Webb’s pitching arm, which ricocheted to Christian Koss for a 1-6-3 putout. It was a painful assist for Webb, but he stayed in the game, and went back out to throw a one two three top of the sixth.

Webb was done after six. He gave up just the run on four hits, and he struck out seven.

With the Giants up 7-1, it was smooth sailing for the Giants’ bullpen. Carson Seymour threw a scoreless top of the seventh, and a one two three top of the eighth. Dylan Smith ended it with a one two three top of the ninth.

Logan Webb got the win. Unlike Kyle Freeland last night, Michael Lorenzen did not get his fourth win of the season. Instead, he took the loss.

The Giants improve to 51-72.

RHP Blade Tidwell (0-0 ERA 2.78) will take the mound, as the Giants will try to take the series in the rubber match Sunday. RHP Gabriel Hughes (0-4 ERA 5.61) will go for the Rockies.

First pitch will be at 1:05 p.m.

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman: Eldrige home run could have motivated SF against Rockies

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Bryce Eldridge (8) seen here running the bases after hitting a bottom of the fifth inning against the Houston Astros on Aug 11, 2026. Eldridge hit another home run against the Colorado Rockies on Fri Aug 14, 2026 at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP file photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman:

#1 Bryce Eldridge hit a solo home run in the fourth inning. How important was his homer in giving the Giants an early offensive spark?

#2 Landen Roupp allowed four runs in 5⅔ innings. What were the biggest challenges he faced against Colorado’s lineup?

#3 Rafael Devers drove in the Giants’ second run with a ninth-inning double. What did his late hit reveal about the Giants’ ability to mount a comeback?

#4 Jonah Cox tripled in the ninth inning before scoring on Devers’ double. How did Cox help create the Giants’ final scoring opportunity?

#5 Jung Hoo Lee was one of the Giants’ key hitters in the lineup. What could San Francisco have done differently offensively to generate more runs against Kyle Freeland, who allowed only one run over eight innings?

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

Weird weather combo leads to weird game combo of boring and entertaining, as Rockies score four off Roupp for 5-2 win over Giants

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Colorado Rockies Zac Veen flips his bat after connecting for a sixth inning two run home run against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco Fri Aug 14, 2026 (AP News photo)

Friday, Aug. 14, 2026

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Colorado Rockies 5 (49-73)

San Francisco Giants 2 (50-72)

Win: Kyle Freeland (4-10)

Loss: Landen Roupp (7-12)

Time: 2:28

Attendance: 38,258

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–The Colorado Rockies got to Landed Roupp for four runs, and the San Francisco Giants’ offense sputtered against Kyle Freeland, as the Rockies took what may have been the worst overall game played in baseball this season 5-2.

The Giants were hoisting the Rockies, who came into Friday night two games behind the Giants for fourth place. Or shall, I say the Giants were two games up on the Rockies in terms of avoiding last place.

It was a cold and foggy night, but also a humid and monsoonal night here at Oracle Park. With the super El Nino taking shape across the Pacific Ocean, the monsoonal moisture from the desert has been pushed northwards into the mediterranean climate of Northern California. Combine the marine layer with that monsoonal moisture, and you have yourself an interesting night of weather.

Anyway, Landen Roupp took the ball for the Giants, and opened the game with a one two three top of the first inning. Granted, it helped that Jonah Cox, who was just called back up from Triple-A Sacramento, made a spectacular leaping catch at the track in left-center field to take away at least extra bases from Mickey Moniak.

The Giants would be up against the left-hander, Kyle Freeland, who came into Friday night’s game at 3-10 with a 6.63 ERA. Friday night, Freeland would look like Sandy Koufax against this listless Giants’ offense. In case anyone is wondering, Freeland, too, started his night with a one two three first inning.

Roupp pitched scoreless innings in the second and third. Freeland threw a scoreless bottom of the second.

The Giants had a shot against Freeland in the bottom of the third. They wouldn’t score, but we did get a little bit of entertainment. With Christian Koss at second base and one out, Cox hit a ground ball to short. Koss made a classic rookie mistake, and started to take off for third on a ground ball to the shortstop, but Ezequial Tovar’s throw to third was dropped by Willi Castro. Despite that, Koss went back to second. Hey, that’s what you get in a game between the Giants and the Rockies.

Roupp set down the first two men he faced in the top of the fourth. However, the Rockies manufactured a two-out run.

Bryce Eldridge responded with a home run to center to lead off the bottom of the fourth. For Eldridge, it was his 13th home run of the season.

The Rockies retook the lead in the top of the fifth, and added two more on a bomb and water shot by Zac Veen in the top of the sixth. Jung Hoo Lee just turned around, and didn’t even move. As for Veen, he has hit two home runs in six big league at-bats this season.

Roupp ended up going five and two thirds. As for Freeland, he went eight innings. Freeland only struck out two, which kept his pitch count to 95.

The Rockies scored a run in the top of the ninth. The Giants would get one in the bottom of the ninth against Brennan Bernardino on an RBI double by Rafael Devers. 

Then, we would have some more entertainment. With nobody out, and Devers at second, Rockies’ center-fielder Cole Cerrig made a spectacular diving catch on a blooper off the bat of Bryce Eldridge. Devers just kept going to third, and was easily doubled off at second. Tony Vitello challenged the play, but well, to no avail.

Just as it was both cold and humid here at Oracle Park Friday night, this game was both boring and entertaining. It was just a weird night here at Oracle Park.

Kyle Freeland got his fourth win of the season, and Landen Roupp took the loss. Roupp is 2-9 since June 10.

The Giants fall to 22 games under .500 at 50-72, and are just a game up on the Rockies. This is only the second season since 1996 that the Giants have been 22 games under .500. The other season, of course, was 2017.

The good news is that there will be a quick turnaround Saturday. For San Francisco Logan Webb (7-7 ERA 3.59) will be the starter, and he will be opposed by Colorado’s Michael Lorenzen (3-10 ERA 6.83).

First pitch will be at 1:05 p.m.

Busy day of moves:

Friday, the Giants made a flurry of roster moves in addition to Jonah Cox being called back up. Grant McCray and Nate Furman were sent back down to Triple-A Sacramento. 

Most importantly, outfielder Turner Hill was called up. Hill was too good for Double-A, and thus only lasted a couple of weeks in Richmond. He hit .353 in Sacramento, and was riding a 26-game hitting streak when he was called up. 

I say Hill’s callup was the most important, because he had 40 friends and family on hand here at Oracle Park Friday night. 

Matt Chapman was moved to the 60-day Injured List to make room on the 40-man roster for Hill.

All-Star Game returns to San Francisco:

Friday, Major League Baseball announced that the 2028 All-Star Game will be played at Oracle Park. 

It was generally understood that for the All-Star Game to come back to San Francisco in 2028, major league players would participate in a six-day tournament as part of the 2028 Summer Olympics at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

The Giants last hosted the All-Star Game in 2007. Barry Bonds and Willie Mays came out from center field during an emotional pregame ceremony. Bonds started that game, and hit second in Tony LaRussa’s National League lineup. 

Ichiro hit his famous inside-the-park home run, and Eric Byrnes’ dog jumped into McCovey Cove. Aaron Rowand got his first taste of the home clubhouse and dugout here at then-AT&T Park, where he would spend the next four seasons. Best of all, the late, great Bruce Froemming was the home plate umpire.

The American League won 5-4.

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman: Giants to get 2028 All Star Game; Adames out for Friday back giving him problems could go on IL

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San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames as seen here Aug 10, 2026 sat out Fri Aug 2026 against the Colorado Rockies at Oralcle Park due to his back flaring up (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman:

#1 Major Leauge Baseball announced that the San Francisco Giants will get the 2028 All Star Game at Oracle Park in San Francisco. The last time San Francisco host the All-Star Game was in 2007. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said that the reason why the Giants were awarded the mid season classic was due to it’s passionate fanbase, world-class ballpark, and rich baseball history.

#2 San Francisco Giant shortstop Willy Adames who had recieved critcism particularly from Apple TV and Los Angeles Angels TV play by play announcer Wayne Randazzo who questioned Adames’ work ethic. Adames had his back flare up Wednesday and is under observation and might not start in Friday night’s game.

#3 Adames did play in Wednesday afternoon’s game going one for four with a run, a hit and a walk. He did show some stress in the seventh inning when he flipped a throw to second base afterwards twisting and turning. The Giants trainer took a look at him during a pitching change and Adames played through his injuries in that game.

#4 Adames who had been at the MLB bottom of the list for shortstops for defensive metrics was criticized by Randazzo for not working hard enough on his defense but disagreed that he had been taking infield and ground ball with coach Ron Washington but injuries have hampered Adames in a season where he had been batting around .224.

#5 Pitching match ups for Friday night’s opener with the Colorado Rockies and Giants. for Colorado LHP Kyle Freeland (3-10 ERA 6.63) for San Francisco RHP Landen Roupp (7-11 ERA 4.22) talk about how you see this match up?

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

San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez: Roupp looking for a strong outing against Rockies Friday

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Landen Roupp gets the start against the Colorado Rockies Fri Aug 14, 2026 (AP file photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez:

#1 Can Landen Roupp build on his recent strong starts and give the Giants a chance to control the game early against Colorado?

#2 Will Rafael Devers continue his success against Rockies starter Kyle Freeland, whom he has homered against twice in 10 career at-bats?

#3Can Jung Hoo Lee provide the spark at the top of the Giants lineup after recently moving into the leadoff spot?

#4 With Matt Chapman and Casey Schmitt out for the season, can Christian Koss seize his opportunity at third base and provide some needed offense?

#5 Can Willy Adames, despite his difficult 2026 season, provide the veteran leadership and offensive punch the Giants need against the Rockies?

Lincoln Juarez does the San Francisco Giants podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Offense, bullpen and defense blow six shutout innings by Houser, and Astros top Giants 2-1 for series win

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Houston Allen Nick Allen (20) is tagged out in a rundown by San Francisco Giants shortstop Osleivis Basabe (39) in the bottom of the sixth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Wed Aug 12, 2026 (AP News photo)

Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Houston Astros 2 (62-60)

San Francisco Giants 1 (50-71)

Win: Steven Okert (6-1)

Loss: Keaton Winn (2-3)

Save: Josh Hader (16)

Time: 2:27

Attendance: 28,101

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–Adrian Houser gave up just two hits over six shutout innings in his first start in two months, but he only got one run in offensive support. The Giants’ bullpen and defense then faltered, as the Astros scored runs in the seventh and eighth to beat the Giants 2-1, and take the series Wednesday.

Adrian Houser took the ball for his first start since the rains limited him to just an inning during the suspended game in Cobb County on June 16. The Giants turned to him, as they looked to play spoilers, and take this series over the American League West-leading Astros, who came into Wednesday’s game a half game up on the Texas Rangers.

Houser opened up the day with a one, two, theee, inning in the top of the first. Now, it was up to the Giants’ offense to give him some support.

Joe Espada went with an opener on this getaway day, and that would be the lefty, Bryan King. After a pair of walks, Espada went to Enyel De Los Santos with two outs in the bottom of the first. Victor Bericoto was at the plate, and flipped a base-hit to left field. Willy Adames came in to score, and the Giants struck first.

Houser ended up retiring the first nine men he faced Wednesday. The Giants wasted an opportunity against Tasuya Imai in the bottom of the second, and Imai threw a one, two, three, inning in the bottom of the third.

The second time through the order started off a little bit different for Houser, as he survived a jam in the top of the fourth. He then settled back down for a one, two, three, top of the fifth.

Nick Allen singled to lead off the top of the sixth, and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Christian Vazquez. Jeremy Pena then hit a ground ball to short, and Allen was caught in a rundown before being tagged out. Pena thought he would try and sneak into second base, but he was thrown out by a mile. For those of you interested, it was a 6-5-4-5 double play, with third-baseman Christian Koss tagging Pena out at second base.

That was an interesting and nice way to end Houser’s afternoon. Houser was good today, as he gave up just two hits, and walked just one over six shutout innings. He struck out five.

Unfortunately, the Giants’ offense couldn’t really do anything against a whole assortment of Astros’ relievers. That meant this 1-0 lead was in the hands of the Giants’ bullpen, which already blew a ninth inning lead on Monday night.

Sam Hentges was the man for the seventh inning, and Yordan Alvarez led off the top of the seventh with a base-hit. It was easy to guess that the Giants’ bullpen was going to blow it, but that wouldn’t be entirely accurate.

Paredes hit a ground ball right to short that was literally tailor made. Unfortunately, Adames just lobbed a throw over to second to get the lead runner, Alvarez, which allowed Paredes to beat out the back end at first.

Daulton Varsho then hit a fly ball to left, but Victor Bericoto lost it in the sun, and dropped it, which got Paredes over to third. Tony Vitello then brought in Keaton Winn to face Nelson Velazquez, who tied the game with a sacrifice fly to center.

Amazingly, only one run scored through that debacle of an inning. All I can say is that things like this happen when a team is having a bad season. That inning was just another clip for the 2026 San Francisco Giants lowlight reel.

After our old friend, Steven Okert, who pitched for the Giants from 2016 to 2018, set down the Giants one, two, three in the bottom of the seventh, Winn was back out for the eighth. However, Willy Adames was not after his lob to second base in the top of the seventh. According to Vitello, Adames was pulled due to a back issue.

Anyway, the Astros predictably took the lead, and it only took them four pitches to do so. Taylor Trammel led off the inning with a triple, and Nick Allen immediately got him in with a sacrifice fly.

Bryan Abreu threw for a one, two, three inning, in bottom of the eighth, and the Giants were up against Josh Hader in the ninth. With one out, Christian Koss gave one a ride to left with one out, but Yordan Alvarez had it right at the wall. Jung Hoo Lee then grounded out to second to end the game. Yes, it was a one, two, three, inning, but I guess that Koss’ long fly ball could count as a whimper.

Steven Okert got the win; Keaton Winn took the loss; and Josh Hader picked up the save.

The Giants are now 50-71, and they are just two games ahead of where they were through 121 games in their 98-loss season of 2017. The Giants were 48-73 after 121 games after 2017. I’ll say it again: it has been a bad season for the Giants.

The Colorado Rockies will come in for the third and final leg of the lone three-team homestand for the Giants this season. The Giants will get to enjoy a day off Thursday, and then they will get underway against the Rockies on Friday night.

Starting pitchers for Colorado LHP Kyle Freeland (3-10 ERA 6.63) for San Francisco Landen Roupp (7-11 ERA 4.22)

First pitch will be at 7:15 p.m.

Baseball America ranks Giants’ farm system as fourth-best:

As rough as this season has been, it has come with its positives. One of those being that the draft and the trade deadline have bolted the Giants’ farm system to the fourth-best in the eyes of Baseball America.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: From My Notebook–First Spanish Radio Broadcast of Major League Baseball in the Bay Area

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Amaury Pi Gonzalez calling the play by play on KBRG 105.3 FM in 1977 at the Oakland Coliseum radio booth (photo from the author Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

From My Notebook: First Spanish Radio Broadcast of Major League Baseball in the Bay Area —

By Amaury Pi-González

In 1978, the first Spanish radio broadcasts of Major League Baseball in the Bay Area were on KBRG 105.3 FM, Radio San Francisco (with studios in the Merchandise Mart). My booth for broadcasting was at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, home of the Oakland A’s.

That same season, when Oakland A’s owner Charlie Finley failed to secure a commercial radio contract, I was doing weekend games in Spanish from Box 19. To my left (not in the photo) was Larry Baer, today President and CEO of the San Francisco Giants.. Larry was a student volunteer from KALX, the campus station at UC Berkeley, who broadcast the first 16 games of the season to do play-by-play on that very limited-coverage radio station.

Because the UC Berkeley campus radio had very low wattage to cover the Bay Area, Mr. Carl Finley, trusted right-hand man of Charlie. Finley, and cousin to the owner of the A’s, told me to mention the score after the end of each inning in English, because their English station did not have enough coverage in the Bay Area, and so I did.

I broadcast all the action in Spanish, but after each half-inning I would give the score in English.  Later on, after the 1979 season, when Rigoberto Tito Fuentes retired with the Detroit Tigers, I asked him to join me in doing color commentary.  Our main studios for KBRG were located at the San Francisco Merchandise Mart (later known as the San Francisco Mart, 1355 Market Street, San Francisco. That same location housed Twitter/X and was vacated in 2024 by tenant Elon Musk, who sold Twitter and rebranded it as X.  A historic building in many ways. In later years, the broadcast in Spanish moved to KOFY 1050AM Radio Burlingame.

The Oakland A’s changed owners a few years later, in 1980. Walter A. Haas Jr., the former president and CEO of Levi Strauss & Co., bought the Oakland A’s from Charles O. Finley on August 23, 1980, for roughly $12.7 million, with the formal acquisition completed later that year.

Yours truly, sales executive and very good friend Al Dougherty, with René DeLaRosa, owner of KIQI 1010AM La Grande 1010 in San Francisco, made a deal to move the games to that new station as we increased Spanish-language coverage in the Bay Area. Walter Haas Jr, Roy Eisenhart, and Andy Dolich, all great executives with the Oakland A’s, made these broadcasts, as well as the team, very successful with the Hispanic Community. Not to mention on the field, which culminated in a World Series title against the SF Giants in 1989.

I am very proud to have been part of this historic time in Bay Area Radio, as I worked very hard and faced many challenges to make these games in Spanish a reality. I remember writing to then-influential political figures at the local and state levels, who responded positively to the plans to extend this coverage for the largest minority in the Bay Area, the Hispanic community. This included the Mayor of San Francisco, the Honorable Dianne Feinstein, who later presented me with the City of San Francisco Award of Merit for my efforts to bring baseball in Spanish to the Bay Area.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

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

Carson Whisenhunt

Whisenhunt sharp as Giants defeat Astros 4-1

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Photo: San Francisco Giants pitcher Carson Whisenhunt threw 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif. (Jay Choi/SF Bay News Lab)

By Vince Cestone

SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Carson Whisenhunt came into Tuesday night’s game with a 7.25 ERA, so it was reasonable to expect an offensive barrage from the Houston Astros.

But Whisenhunt said, “not so fast!” as the Giants young righty threw 5 2/3 strong innings to lead his team past the powerful Astros 4-1 at Oracle Park on Tuesday night. But it started off shaky for Whisenhunt.

Houston loaded the bases in the top of the first inning with one out, but Whisenhunt wiggled out of trouble after walking a batter and hitting a batter in that inning.

The Astros were able to break through in the top of the second inning when center fielder Daulton Varsho and outfielder Cam Smith each hit singles to start the inning. The next batter Yainer Diaz walked, loading the bases with one out. Shortstop Jeremy Peña then grounded one to the third baseman Christian Koss, who cut down the runner Varsho on the force out. Then, Yordan Alvarez hit a sacrifice fly to give the Astros a 1-0 lead. The next hitter Isaac Paredes flew out to right field to end the inning.

San Francisco evened the score in the very next half inning. Designated hitter Rafael Devers led off with a walk. After Victor Bericoto struck out, center fielder Drew Gilbert singled in Devers, who took second on a wild pitch.

The Giants took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, which again started with a walk. After Gilbert’s one-out walk, Osleivis Basabe advanced him to second on a groundout to the pitcher. The next batter catcher Drew Cavanaugh singled Gilbert in to give San Francisco a 2-1 lead. That would prove to be enough to lead the Giants to victory.

In the fifth inning, the Giants extended their lead on a Bryce Eldridge solo home run. It was a long potato to left-center field that gave the Giants a 3-1 lead. Eldridge now has 12 home runs on the year.

San Francisco capped their scoring in the bottom of the sixth inning on a two-out rally. After the first two batters flew out, Cavanaugh singled to get things going. Koss then doubled him in and then advanced to third on a throwing error by the shortstop Peña. The Giants were up 4-1.

The Astros committed two errors in the game, which helped the Giants cruise to victory.

J.T. Brubaker came in to close it out in the ninth and earned the save. He retired the side in order, a rarity for a Giants pitcher in the ninth with a lead. The Giants bullpen as a whole pitched 3 1/3 innings of hitless ball.

In addition to Whisenhunt’s 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball, he gave up four hits and struck out two batters, while walking three.

For the Astros, starter Hunter Brown threw five innings of three-run ball. He gave up five hits, while striking out four and walking three.

Up next, the Giants will go for the series win against the Astros on Wednesday afternoon at Oracle Park. Neither the Giants nor the Astros have announced who is pitching in the matinee. Game time is at 12:45 p.m.

Starting pitchers for Houston LHP Bryan King (2-3 ERA 3.83) San Francisco has not determined a starter yet.

Astros star second baseman Jose Altuve left the game after getting hit on the left foot. He was diagnosed with a contusion. He is listed as day-to-day.

Cam Smith

Giants blow another 9th-inning lead, lose 6-3 in extras

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Houston Astros’ Cam Smith, right, hits an RBI single in front of San Francisco Giants catcher Drew Cavanaugh, left, during the ninth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Monday, Aug 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

By Vince Cestone

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants lost on Monday night in a familiar way, blowing a 3-2 ninth-inning lead and ultimately losing the game 6-3 at Oracle Park.

As was the case many times in 2026, they were one-out away from securing a one-run win at Oracle Park in front of 28,070 fans. But acting closer Dylan Smith could not secure the save in the ninth, as Houston Astros right fielder Cam’s Smith seeing-eye single rolled into right field for an RBI hit that tied the game at three. The inning could’ve gone on, but Smith was thrown out at second trying to stretch the single into a double. Before Smith had the big hit, Christian Walker coaxed a one-out walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch, a wild pitch that proved costly when Smith singled two batters later.

After the Giants went down in order in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Astros went to work in the 10th against reliever Jason Foley. With the placed runner at second base, Catcher Christian Vasquez led off the inning with a walk. The next batter Jeremy Pena singled in the ghost runner, making the score 4-3 Houston. The Astros then piled on with a 2-RBI double by third baseman Isaac Paredes, making the score 6-3. That would end up being the final score, as the Giants went down in order in their half of the tenth inning.

A game that started out with such high hopes, turned into another nightmare for San Francisco. After falling behind 1-0 in the first inning on an RBI single by Parades following a Yordan Alvarez double, the Giants tied the score in the bottom of the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly by center fielder Drew Gilbert. Before that, Bryce Eldridge hit a one-out double, Rafael Devers then walked, and then Eldridge advanced to third on an infield hit by Osleivis Basabe.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Giants took a 2-1 lead on a two-out Jung Hoo Lee home run to right field. That was Lee’s ninth home run of the year.

The Astros knotted the score at two in the top of the seventh inning. After center fielder Daulton Varsho grounded out to second, Smith hit a solo home run to match Lee’s homer.

The Giants and Astros exchanged solo home runs yet again in the bottom of the seventh inning as Gilbert blasted one to right-center field to give San Francisco a 3-2 lead. Unfortunately for the Giants, that was the last run they would score in the game.

Once again, familiar sight. Familiar sound. The Giants had a lead late and blew it. If the Giants are to compete in 2027–if there is a season–they will have to address the bullpen and get a bona fide closer. Smith will try to compete for a bullpen spot next year, but by no means is he meant to be a closer on a big-league team. Middle relief may be what he’s destined for.

On the positive side for the Giants, Blade Tidwell pitched well on Monday night. He threw 5 2/3 innings, giving up just one run on four hits. He struck out six Astros batters and walked just one. His ERA is now down to 2.78 on the year, and he could be a candidate for the rotation in 2027–or quite possibly 2028 if there’s no season next year due to the impending lockout.

For the Astros, starting pitcher Hayden Wesneski pitched seven strong innings, giving up three runs on five hits. He struck out four batters and walked two. The Astros bullpen took it from there, throwing three innings of one-hit ball.

Up next in this now meaningless 2027 Giants season, Hunter Brown (3-1, 3.53 ERA) will pitch for the Astros on Tuesday against San Francisco. The Giants have not yet announced a starter.

Only 45 more painful Giants games to go in 2026.

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic: Adames puts in the work but admits doesn’t have the results

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Willy Adames (2) of the San Francisco Giants leaps for joy after hitting a bottom of the fifth inning home run against the Detroit Tigers on Fri Aug 7, 2026. Adames has gotten lots of attention after Apple TV analyst Wayne Randazzo questioned Adames’ work ethic (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic:

#1 San Francisco Giants infielder Willy Adames called BS on Apple TV broadcaster’s Wayne Randazzo’s commentary saying that Adames was not putting in the work. Adames was very much bothered by the Randazzo commentary questioning his work ethic.

#2 Adames admits anyone could questions his fielding or hitting, batting just .222, 19 home runs, 48 RBIs, and 97 hits Adames said “obviously I’m not happy with the way I’ve played this year. This has to be the worst year of my career on both sides of the ball.”

#3 Giants fell to the Detroit Tigers on Saturday 8-0 and on Sunday after trying the Tigers 1-1 coughed up two runs in the top of the tenth inning for a 3-1 loss tough series for San Francisco.

#4 The Giants who got two hit on Saturday and scored only a run on Sunday have been absent on offense getting seven hits but stranding a lot of runners on the pond.

#5 The Giants open a three game series with the Houton Astros Monday night. Starting pitchers for Houston RHP Hayden Wesneski (2-0 ERA 3.86) for San Francisco RHP Blade Tidwell (0-0 ERA 3.18) with a 6:45pm PDT first pitch.

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