Stunning Sweep

SF 7  STL 6

The Giants played a terrible game. They made three errors. Blade Tidwell gave up more runs (5) than innings pitched (4). They got a run in the 1st but couldn't do crap after that. It was going to be another missed opportunity. Another lousy outcome. Another "let's just turn it off" and "thank god it's an off-day tomorrow" kind of afternoon.

Then something happened. The Giants, down 6-1 in the 8th, scored six runs. That's right, six runs. It was the late-inning nightmare all over again except this time the Cardinals were on the receiving end. The Giants are the best in MLB at blowing leads but today they turned the tables and pulled off a great win.

Here's how it went: Drew Cavanaugh single, Grant McCray strikeout, Christian Koss fly out, Brett Harris hit by pitch, Turner Hill walk, Bryce Eldridge single, Jonah Cox single, Jung Hoo Lee double, Shay Whitcomb double, Drew Cavanaugh groundout. That's what they call "batting around."

The result is three wins in a row and a series sweep. That's 62 for those of us counting. I'm starting to feel confident that the Giants will not lose 100 games.

In the bottom of the 9th the Cards put the first guy on but Trent Harris got a double play and a groundout to end it. Nice work from Matt "Tugboat" Wilkinson as well (scoreless 8th and 9th). I'm still having a hard time believing the Giants won this game.

Enjoy!

--M.C. 

Giants hang on for win

SF 2  STL 1

Late innings have been hell this year. Tonight the bullpen bent a little but didn't break. They preserved Landen Roupp's fine start (6 IP, 2 H, 0 R) and helped the Giants claim their 61st win.

Bryce Eldridge hit his 16th homer in the 1st and Christian Koss added another in the 2nd. That was it for the scoring until the Cardinals got a two-out run in the 9th. The Giants loaded the bases in the 8th with no outs but failed to add on. That kind of failure has doomed the team so many times this season that it was nice to see them pull out the win despite it.

Here's a note from Sarah Langs about Bryce:

 

Cool, huh?

Getaway game tomorrow (12:45 PT), off-day Thursday, and then the Padres come to town for three.

Go Giants!

--M.C. 

Giants blow it but still win

SF 5  STL 4 (11)

It was inevitable that the Giants would blow their 3-0 lead. It was inevitable that they would fail to score in the 9th. It was inevitable that they would lose in extras.

Then they didn't. Oh, they tried real hard to do all those things but they only managed the first two. In the end, the Giants scored in both the 10th and in the 11th. More important than that, they stopped the Cardinals from scoring when it mattered most.

Somehow, that Giants won the game. That's 60 wins. Anyway, I'll admit that I gave up and did not believe the team could come back and win. So, good on them!

By the way, Sunday's loss was Game 144. That's eight seasonal innings. Here's the butcher's bill:

1st inning: 6-12

2nd inning: 8-10

3rd inning: 8-10

4th inning: 7-11 

5th inning: 9-9 

6th inning: 8-10 

7th inning: 6-12 

8th inning: 7-11

That's 59-85 if you're counting and with today's win it's 60-85 (.414). With 17 games remaining a .414 win percentage says seven more wins. That'd be nice. I'm looking for at least three!

Tomorrow is a night game (6:45 PT) and Wednesday is a lunch special (12:45 PT).

Go Giants!

--M.C.

Homer-happy Giants bash Mets

SF 9  NYM 5

Rafael Devers is the hottest hitter in baseball:

 

He has nine homers in his last thirteen games and his 70 extra-base hits are second in MLB to Pete Crow-Armstrong's 74.

Despite Devers' recent heroics I think today we have to give our "tip o' the cap" to FNG 24-year old Anthony Molina. He struck out six over a five-inning start. He gave up a two-run homer, his only hit allowed. And the runs were unearned as it was a Devers error that put the baserunner on. It was a good audition. I figure every youngster is auditioning for 2027. Speaking of youngsters, Christian Koss served notice with two homers today. And the Giants kept scoring which meant the Mets getting two in the 9th was irrelevant.

Both Grant McCray and Osleivis Basabe homered so all nine runs were the result of big flies. Bryce Eldridge hit his 20th double.

Tomorrow's game is early (10:40 PT). Go Giants!

--M.C. 

Winning formula

SF 5  PIT 4 (10)

It was sort of impossible to write about that ridiculous 13-12 loss the other night. The Giants gave up nine runs in an inning and yet tied the game later. Maybe next year they will learn that you have to go ahead and not just tie a ballgame. And WTF Logan Webb? That was the worst outing (202 starts!) of his career.

But tonight they found a winning formula: late runs and some decent bullpen work. Rafael Devers hit another homer (his 32nd) to open the scoring. Bryce Eldridge and Turner Hill accounted for the rest of the RBIs. The Pirates plated the Manfred Man to open the bottom half of the 10th but Dylan Smith got the next three outs for the save. It's the kind of game we've seen the team lose over and over again this season. Maybe next year they can use this winning formula more frequently.

That's two "maybe next year"(s) in the same post!

It's an early game tomorrow (9:35 a.m. PT) and it looks like Blade Tidwell's turn.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

Giants whip Braves

SF 7  ATL 3

The win the other night was helped along by FNG Yunior Marte who as I pointed out was acquired from the Braves in the Yaz trade. I also note that Yaz struck out (on a challenge!) to end tonight's contest. Tonight's starter, Anthony Molina, came to SF (via Atlanta) for Tyler Mahle. So, Buster's hot stove happenings have delivered some early returns. Molina is only 24 and made his debut with Colorado when he was a mere 22 years. Marte is a mere 22. Bring on the Youth Brigade!

Rafael Devers hit his 30th homer. Jonah Cox and Osleivis Basabe homered. Turner Hill had a two-run double in the four-run 6th. Nice relief work from Jason Foley, Reiver Sanmartin, and Dylan Smith got the job done.

The Giants finish the season with a 5-1 record against the 82-56 NL East-leading Braves. Go figure.

Pittsburgh tomorrow, 3:40 PT.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

Late win earns split

SF 7  ARI 2

The Giants had a guy a few years ago named Yunior Marté. He's on the Reds now. Last year the Mike Yastrzemski trade netted a new Giants pitcher named Yunior Marte. This Yunior got called up from AA and started the late game and managed 4-2/3 IP of major-league cromulence. It led to a win, a rare thing for this club. Way to go, Yunior!

Oh, Bryce Eldridge had four hits. That guy is really putting it together. I think he's going to be the real deal next year.

The Giants start their road trip tomorrow with a make-up game in Atlanta (3:05 PT). Then it's on to Pittsburgh and New York.

Go Giants!

--M.C. 

Giants beat Diamondbacks

SF 6  AZ 1

That's only two wins in ten games vs. Arizona.

Only eight more wins until 63!

Blade Tidwell tonight at 7:15 PT.

Go Giants!

--M.C. 

Near-shutout makes it two in a row

SF 3  CIN 1

For the second straight night a Giants starter had to leave the game due to injury. Adrian Houser was pulled in the 2nd and the 'pen had to scramble to cover innings. Like last night, it worked. Carson Whisenhunt will probably need TJS. Adrian Houser's injury doesn't seem as severe, thankfully.

FNG Anthony Molina stepped up with 4-1/3 scoreless frames. He faced 14 batters and retired 13. It was a clutch effort. The Giants played well in the field behind him and that really helped.

In the 9th Reds slugger Sal Stewart greeted Carson Seymour with a homer to close the gap and we all thought "here we go again." But he got the final three outs easily and the Giants moved a step closer to avoiding ignominy. Rafael Devers hit his 28th homer in the 5th.

Day game today (12:45), Landen Roupp Logan Webb is scheduled. Go Giants!

--M.C. 

Shutout snaps skid

SF 5  CIN 0

If you don't let the other guy score any runs it really improves your chances of winning! Six pitchers combined for the Giants tenth shutout of the season. Rafael Devers provided the big hit, a three-run homer in the 2nd. The bad news is that starter Carson Whisenhunt had to come out of the game with an apparent injury. Speaking of injuries, Willy Adames goes on the IL along with Victor Bericoto and JT Brubaker. A bunch of call-ups were needed to "backfill" the roster: Grant McCray, Nate Furman, Shay Whitcomb, and pitchers Anthony Molina and Ryan Walker.

The Giants need ten more wins to avoid losing 100 games. That's a goal we can get behind!

Adrian Houser tonight at 6:45 PT. Go Giants!

--M.C.

Tugboat arrives!

SF 1  CLE 0

Matt "Tugboat" Wilkinson took the mound tonight as the opener. He pitched a 1-2-3 1st and pitched around a single-and-stolen base in the 2nd for a tidy debut. The bulky lefty from Canada made the jump from AA and faced his original organization. Tugboat came over in the Patrick Bailey trade. It was an auspicious start to the game and got better from there. Adrian Houser delivered a great long relief performance with five scoreless and Dylan Smith worked a two-inning save. It was the kind of pitching we haven't seen much of this season.

Rafael Devers doubled in the 4th and came home on a Victor Bericoto single and that was all the scoring. I was pretty sure the Giants were going to blow it in the late innings but they didn't. It's their ninth team shutout.

I think "Tugboat" is one of the best baseball nicknames ever. By the way he's listed as a right-handed batter despite being a southpaw. Madison Bumgarner was the same way. Of course Tugboat will most likely never swing a bat in the bigs. He turns 24 in December.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

 

p.s. Tonight's win was Game 126, the end of the seventh seasonal inning. There are a mere 36 games left in the season. This last stretch was a stinky 6-12 and the team is 52-74 (.417) overall. Here's the breakdown:

1st inning: 6-12

2nd inning: 8-10

3rd inning: 8-10

4th inning: 7-11 

5th inning: 9-9 

6th inning: 8-10 

7th inning: 6-12 

Atrocious pitching costs Giants

COL 13  SF 7 

We've seen a lot of bad baseball this season and today's performance was no exception. The lack of execution by the pitchers reached new levels of ineptitude. In the four-run 6th that decided the game the Rockies scored their first two runs without the benefit of a hit. Four walks, a wild pitch, and a hit batsman put them ahead. A two-run single with two outs (off the third pitcher of the inning) sealed the deal.

The fans were booing, and the team deserved it. Too many of the pitches thrown today were not competitive. The opposing hitters had it way too easy. It took five Giants hurlers 134 pitches to get through seven frames. Only 76 were strikes. They were Blade Tidwell, Sam Hentges, JT Brubaker, Riever Sanmartin, and Keaton Winn. The Rockies scored all their runs on only eight hits. They got TEN walks and whiffed just twice (through the 7th). Colorado didn't score in the 8th or 9th (Trent Harris and Jason Foley got the final six uneventful outs.)

Pitching coach Justin Meccage, assistant pitching coach Christian Wonders, and bullpen coach Jesse Chavez need to explain why they should be re-hired for 2027. And Director of ML Pitching Frank Anderson really has some 'splainin' to do. Too many times this year the pitchers have gone out there either unprepared or unable to throw strikes and get outs. I assume there is game-planning. Why can't they get it done? Should the whole lot of them be fired?

It doesn't get much worse than losing the season series to the Rockies. Tomorrow is an off-day, thank god. Then they go to Cleveland for three starting Tuesday.

--M.C.

 

p.s. The Giants wasted a good effort by the lineup. Seven runs on nine hits and four walks should be enough. Rafael Devers (25th HR and 30th 2B) had a big day. 

Webb and Giants win

SF 7  COL 1

The Giants batted around in the 4th to score six runs and break a 1-1 tie. Logan Webb had an easy day getting pulled after six and only 80 pitches. He whiffed seven against four dinky hits and no walks. Drew Gilbert had a nice day with three hits including a homer. Carson Seymour struck out three in his two innings of relief and Dylan Smith retired the side in the 9th on ten pitches.

It is quite the new crew out there these days. The bench is now Andrew Knizner (C), Buddy Kennedy (UT), Jonah Cox (OF), and Turner Hill (OF). The bullpen added RHs Trent Harris and Jason Foley.

This is a good time to see what the new kids can do. I really hope Gilbert can emerge as a legit CF. I think Bryce Eldridge is the real thing. How about Blade Tidwell and Carson Whisenhunt? Have we got something there?

Speaking of Tidwell, he gets the start tomorrow at 1:05 Pacific.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

Carson combo

SF 4  HOU 1

Carson Whisenhunt delivered another strong start, allowing just one run in 5-2/3, and that was followed by six outs from Carson Seymour. (The Giants don't have Carson Ragsdale anymore.) That was enough to keep the Astros subdued and give the home squad a chance.

Six of the Giants nine hits came from the final four spots in the lineup (Gilbert, Basabe, Kavanaugh, Koss). Way to go, Youth Brigade! Also, Bryce Eldridge hit his 12th homer.

It was one of those games we thought we'd see a lot of this season. Unfortunately we only see them play well about once a week! 

Today is the getaway game at 12:45 Pacific, tomorrow is an off-day, and the Rockies come to town for three starting Friday.

Go Giants!

--M.C. 

Webb gets Cained, Giants lose

DET 3  SF 1 (10)

The Giants wasted a great start from Logan Webb who gave up a single run on a double play ball in eight innings of work. A double play ball ended things in the bottom of the 9th for the home squad, that was their best chance of winning the game. They also blew a two on, no out situation earlier in the game. What seemed like a taut pitchers' duel on a beautiful Sunday afternoon was really just another cruel exercise in finding new ways to lose.

Mike Krukow says he's retiring from broadcasting at the end of the season. He certainly had a great run in San Francisco both as a player and an announcer. Thanks for all the goofiness, Kruk. Good luck!

The Women's Pro Baseball League is now a real thing. They have a San Francisco club and Matt Williams is the manager. Something to keep an eye on.

The Astros are in town for three starting tomorrow night at 6:45 PT.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

Bullpen gets it done

SF 5  DET 2

The Giants used JT Brubaker as a 1st-inning opener and he gave up a run. Then they brought in Adrian Houser for some long relief and he gave up a run. But that was it. The Tigers failed to score the rest of the way. They got 11 hits and four walks but stranded 12 runners and were 1-for-12 with RISP.

Houser threw four scoreless after the 2nd inning and Keaton Winn (2/3), Sam Hentges (1-1/3), and Dylan Smith (closed the 9th) finished the job. It was nail-biting as the Detroit lineup is very tough and they kept the pressure on but this time it all worked out.

The Giants got homers from Rafael Devers (a two-run bomb in the 1st) and Willy Adames (solo shot in the 5th), plus a big two-out, two RBI hit in the 2nd from Jung Hoo Lee. The pitching made it stand up.

Today's game is the Fox Saturday broadcast (4:15 Pacific). Go Giants!

--M.C.

Lee leads Giants

SF 5  TEX 1

Not to take anything away from Logan Webb who delivered six scoreless innings, but Jung Hoo Lee had a career night. He hit two homers and added a sac fly, plus he stole a base and added two nice catches. The depleted bullpen relied on 2/3 from Keaton Winn, 1-1/3 from San Hentges, and a rocky 9th from Tristan Beck bailed out by Reiver Sanmartin. Beck got an out but allowed a solo homer and a walk. Sanmartin got the double play to end it.

After the carnage of the trading deadline, it was nice to see the team put together a solid win.

So the Giants part ways with Luis Arraez and Robbie Ray, which was expected. That they got some decent minor-league talent in the process is a win for the club. If you saw how cheaply Detroit sold their ace to LA you'll understand what I mean. Caleb Killian goes, as does Erik Miller. Both are talented but like everyone else on this staff, inconsistent. Heliot Ramos goes as well, he's been in the SF organization since he was 17! I'm happy he gets to go to the Yankees. Tyler Mahle, we hardly knew ye.

Of the players obtained, Marcelo Mayer goes to the 40-man but is on the 10-day IL. Anthony Molina is on the 40-man but goes to AAA. Miguel Mendez goes to AA. Kaeden Kent, Ramon Marquez, Henry Lalane, and Marty Gair go to High-A. Joniel Hernandez goes to Rookie League. Other than Mayer and Molina there aren't any major leaguers but beefing up the system is, as I said, a good outcome for the team.

5:05 tomorrow and 11:35 for Wednesday's getaway game, all times Pacific.They are off Thursday and back home for the weekend against the Tigers.

Go Giants!

--M.C.

New Giants

Tyler Mahle was swapped for 24-year old RH reliever Anthony Molina (Braves).

Caleb Killian and Luis Arraez were swapped for four two Philadelphia minor leaguers: 20-year old RH starter Ramon Marquez, 22-year old RH reliever Marty Gair, 23-year old switch-hitting OF John Spikerman, and 23-year old RH starter Luke Gabrysh. Looks like just the first two. The earliet report I read was premature and in error as both teams have now officially announced the trade. Thinking about Tarik Skubal's return as the benchmark means the Giants did OK here.

More to come?

--M.C.

 

****UPDATE****

Robbie Ray goes to the Padres for two minor leaguers, 24-year old RH starter Miguel Mendez and 17-year old Cuban-born SS Joniel Hernandez (who is currently raking .303/.424/.503 in the Dominican Summer League).

Again, thinking in terms of Skubals, the Giants did OK here. 

 

****UPDATE****

Word is Erik Miller goes to the Red Sox for 23-year old lefty-hitting infielder Marcelo Mayer who was the #4 pick in the 2021 draft.

 Also that Heliot Ramos is going to the Yankees for a 22-year old  lefty starter named Henry Lalane and possibly infield prospect Kaeden Kent.

These obviously are not money-saving moves, more like moving guys who have hit their ceiling and trying out younger guys.

 

 

Ray makes his case

SF 4  SD 1

The Giants beat another good team with another strong pitching performance. Robbie Ray is the most obvious trade candidate (other than Luis Arraez) and he has pitched well of late. Last night he whiffed six over six frames with only one run allowed. He has a 1.67 ERA over his last nine appearances. It seems he's been putting on a showcase for potential suitors these last several weeks.

The bullpen, this year's glaring weak spot, was solid once again with three scoreless innings (Caleb Killian, Dylan Smith, Erik Miller). Andrew Susac had another homer.

The Giants have indicated they would pay to offset some of Ray's salary in a potential trade.

Carson Whisenhunt gets the start tonight (6:45 Pacific). Go Giants!

--M.C.

6th inning: 8-10

The Giants win today was Game 108 and that's the two-thirds mark of the season. We've seen six seasonal innings of baseball so far:

1st inning: 6-12

2nd inning: 8-10

3rd inning: 8-10

4th inning: 7-11 

5th inning: 9-9 

6th inning: 8-10 

That's good for a 46-62 record (.426) and fourth place in the NL West (21-1/2 GB).

If you go 8-10 nine times you'll finish 72-90 (.444) which would require improvement. In San Francisco this afternoon the Giants put on a fine show for the fans, once again forcing us to ask "why can't they keep this going?".

 

SF 16  MIL 3

The Brewers are one of the best teams in baseball and the Giants took two of the three games. They took two of three in the last series with the woeful Angels, and were swept in KC by the lowly Royals just before that.

This team is a mystery wrapped in an enigma. But we knew that. Four-hit days for both Luis Arraez and Heliot Ramos and a three-run homer from Daniel Susac to start the scoring were highlights. Logan Webb delivered a competent six and the bullpen allowed only one run in the final three frames.

The lousy news from today is that Casey Schmitt will likely miss the rest of the season. He sort of embodies the 2026 team. He can hit for power (.483 SLG) but makes too many outs (.301 OBP)! His defensive versatility is a real asset and the injury is a real bummer.

The team travels to San Diego for three and the first one is tomorrow evening at 6:40 Pacific.

Go Giants!

--M.C.