Game Wrap 5/9/2026: Pirates 13 Giants 3

A bullpen collapse and a continued failure to hit turned a game that was scoreless after 4 innings into an embarrassing route to spoil Bryce Eldridge's first MLB home run.  Key Lines:

Bryce Eldridge CH/1B- 1 for 4, HR(1), R, RBI.  BA= .154.  Eldridge's first MLB home run came on an inside fastball which is often Kryptonite for tall hitters.  He pulled his arms in close, spun on it and sent it over the RF wall.  I don't think it was technically a splash hit because it looked like it bounced into the water but it was an impressive shot and an encouraging sign for his future.  

Landen Roupp RHP- 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 8 K's.  ERA= 3.09.  Roupp pitched scoreless ball for 4 innings but ran up his pitch count in the process.  Joey Bart led off the 5'th with an infield hit after winning a pitch challenge and that was it for Roupp after 94 pitches.  What ensued was nothing short of a humiliation for the entire organization.  With a couple of lefthanded batters coming up, Tony Vitello went with Ryan Borucki LHP who gave up a ground ball single to Oneil Cruz and a sac fly to Brandon Lowe.  Switch-hitter, Bryan Reynolds then singled through the left side to drive in Cruz.  

Ryan Walker RHP got out of the inning on a CS by Eric Haase C, but Walker came back out for the 6'th inning.  After getting the leadoff batter on a K, he went Walk, Wild Pitch, RBI single, Single(Joey Bart again).  Walker was lifted for Matt Gage LHP who gave up a single to.....Oneil Cruz, but then got out of the inning on a K and GO.  JT Brubaker came in to start the 7'th inning which ended with the Pirates holding a 10-1 lead.  

Look, I get Tony Vitello has to work with the roster he is given and he can't run his top 3 relievers out there in the 5'th inning so this is on Buster.  Why is Borucki still on the team?  And Ryan Walker needs to have the same questions asked about him.  

Christian Koss RHP- 1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 13.50.  Poor Christian Koss was called upon to throw slow-pitch softballs up there in the 9'th amid all but catcalls from Kruk and Kuip.  He was helped out by a GIDP to keep the score from ballooning to something in the high teens.  To top all that off, Koss replaced Rafael Devers in the line up with Eldridge moving from DH to 1B(I didn't know that was allowed), so Koss batted in the bottom of the 9'th and got beaned on the helmet flap.  Was that a purpose pitch?  Kruk and Kuip seemed to think it might have been.  Kuip's immediate reaction was "well, that makes tomorrow's game interesting."  

Tyler Mahle RHP tries to salvage a series win this afternoon facing Bubba Chandler RHP, a top prospect who has struggled in his early MLB career and we know what that means for the Giants. His FB averages 98.7 MPH per Fangraphs.

Down on the Farm: 5/8/2026

 AAA:  Reno Aces edged out the Sacramento River Cats 2-1.

Harrison Bader CF- 1 for 3.  BA= .231.

Daniel Susac DH- 2 for 4.  BA= .625.

Jake Holton 1B- 2 for 4, HR(3).  BA= .240.

Carson Whisenhunt LHP- 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 8 K's.  ERA= 4.25.

Trent Harris RHP- 1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 7.71.

Sam Hentges LHP- 0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 2.16.

Wilkin Ramos RHP- 2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 2.29.

Carson Whisenhunt has allowed 2 runs or fewer while pitching at least 5 innings in his last 3 starts.  That comes with 21 K's and 4 BB's in 16 IP.  Susac continues to tear it up in his rehab assignment.  A disappointing game for those looking for bullpen help for the Giants.

AA:  Richmond Flyhing Squirrels outscored the Akron Rubber Ducks 9-6.

Bo Davidson DH- 2 for 5, 2B.  BA= .286.

Diego Velasquez 2B- 3 for 4, 2B, HR(2).  BA= .254.

Jonah Cox CF- 2 for 3, 2B, BB, SB(18).  BA= .429.

Mitch White RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's, Save(3).  ERA= 2.63.

Big games for Diego Velasquez and Jonah Cox.  I keep waiting for Velasquez' power potential to show up.  Maybe this is a start?  Jonah Cox is still batting over .400 almost 6 weeks into the season.  

A+:  Vancouver Canadians topped the Eugene Emeralds 4-2.

Jakob Christian 1B- 2 for 3, HR(1), BB.  BA= .529.

Lisbel Diaz LF- 1 for 3, HR(5).  BA= .207.

Luis De La Torre LHP- 4 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 5.68.

A:  San Jose Giants escaped the Fresno Grizzlies 4-3.

Jhonny Level SS- 2 for 3, BB, 2 SB(10).  BA= .353.

Isaiah Barkett 2B- 2 for 3, 3B.  BA= .333.

Braydon Risley LHP- 5.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 3.18.

Alix Hernandez RHP- 1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 5.65.

Garrett Langrell RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, Save(5).  ERA= 3.38.

ACL:  Mariners beat the Giants 2-1(7 innings).

Nien-Hsi Yang RHP- 2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 3.00.

Brayan Narvaez RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 6.00.

Melvin Pineda RHP- 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Game Wrap 5/8/2026: Giants 5 Pirates 2

Robbie Ray recorded a Quality Start and the Giants lineup converted 12 hits into 5 runs for their second win in their last 10 games.  Key Lines:

Jung Hoo Lee RF- 2 for 4.  BA= .270.  Lee hit another ball hard(98.8 MPH) in the first inning but it held up and was caught by the RF.  He did not figure into the scoring despite getting on base twice out of the leadoff spot.

Luis Arraez 2B- 1 for 4, 2 RBI.  BA= .314.  Contact cuts two ways.  Arraez GIDP'd to end the third inning but his bases-loaded single in the 7'th inning capped the scoring.  

Rafael Devers 1B- 2 for 4, HR(4), 2 R, RBI.  BA= .229.  Devers extends his hit streak to 8 games in which he is batting .346.  This was the first multi-hit game of that run.  The HR was the second in two games.  

Willy Adames SS- 2 for 4, R.  BA= .203.  Adames just missed a 3-run HR in the 4'th inning that Bryan Reynolds caught just above the top of the LF wall.  He generally looked more comfortable at the plate than he has for awhile.  This was his first multi-hit game since 4/17 which capped a 14 for 40(.350) run.  From 4/18-5/7 he went just 7 for 66(.106).  

Heliot Ramos LF- 2 for 4, 2B, R, RBI.  BA= .261.  Ramos has a multi-hit game after going just 3 for 24 to start the month.

Drew Gilbert CF- 1 for 4, R, RBI.  BA= .259.  Gilbert has 2 hits in 7 AB over his last two game for 2 R and 2 RBI after going 1 for 8 to start the month.  I'd like to see him stick around and at least platoon with Bader in CF after Bader comes off the IL.

Jesus Rodriguez C- 1 for 2.  BA= .455.  It looks like Rodriguez is the starting catcher at least until Susac gets back.  He seems to be a decent receiver but the throwing arm might be lacking.  He threw what Kuip described as a ground ball to 2B trying to catch a runner stealing and Bailey came in as a defensive replacement after he was hit on the right arm with a pitch.  How will all this shake out when Susac gets back?  My guess is Eldridge goes back to AAA and Rodriguez becomes the primary DH. 

Robbie Ray LHP- 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 2.76.  Ray allowed 6 baserunners in the 2'nd and 3'rd innings but only gave up one run on a solo HR by Marcell Ozuna.  

Caleb Kilian RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 1.59.  Non-Save situation.  Giants are still looking for that guy who can close out a game with one run lead.

Landen Roupp RHP tries to keep the winning going today facing Braxton Ashcraft RHP.

Down on the Farm: 5/7/2026

 Sorry for the late post.  My WiFi box went out and had to be replaced.  Back online.  

AAA:  Sacramento River Cats defeated the Reno Aces 6-3.

Harrison Bader CF- 1 for 4, HR(1).  BA= .200.

Daniel Susac DH- 3 for 4, 2 HR(2).  BA= .750.

Buddy Kennedy 3B- 2 for 4, 2B, HR(3).  BA= .327.

John Bertrand LHP- 6.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 6/11 GO/AO.  ERA= 4.64.

Dylan Smith RHP- 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's, 2/0 GO/AO.  ERA= 2.13.

Michael Fulmer RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, Save(4).  ERA= 2.51.

Daniel Susac says, "put me in, coach.  I'm ready to play, today!"   Weird line for John Bertrand.  Zero K's and a flyball tendency is generally not a formula for pitching success.  

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels held off the Akron Rubber Ducks 5-4.

Parks Harber DH- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .327.

Bo Davidson CF- 1 for 3, BB.  BA= .279.

Adrian Sugastey C- 2 for 4.  BA= .263.

Aeverson Arteaga SS- 2 for 3.  BA= .328.

Darien Smith RHP- 4.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 1.52.

Dale Stanovich LHP- 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Giants Signed Stanovich to a minor league deal on April 1 after he was released by the Marlins.

A+:  Vancouver Canadians edged out the Eugene Emeralds 3-2.

Niko Mazza RHP- 3.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 2.86.

Ryan Vanderhei RHP- 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 2.30.

A:  Fresno Grizzlies outscored the San Jose Giants 12-8.

Jhonny Level SS= 2 for 3, HR(5), 2 BB.  BA= .345.

Damian Bravo LF- 2 for 5.  BA= .292.

Junior Barajas C- 2 for 5.  BA= .308.

Dario Reynoso 3B= 1 for 2, HR(4), 2 BB.  BA= .300.

Jose Astudillo RF- 2 for 3, HBP.  BA= .389.

Argenis Cayama RHP- 0.2 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 3 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 5.63.  

Ben Bybee RHP- 3.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 1.42. 

A hiccup for Argenis Cayama.  Dario Reynoso has homered 3 games in a row and 4 out of his last 6 games.

ACL:  Giants outlasted the Reds 7-6(11 innings).

Luis Hernandez SS- 3 for 5, HR(3), BB.  BA= .313.

Yohendry Sanchez C- 2 for 5, BB.  BA= .556.

Evan Estevez 1B- 2 for 2.  BA= .273.

Johan Rodriguez RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Chen-Hsun Lee RHP- 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 3.60.

Gotta be super-excited over Luis Hernandez' start to his pro career.  Note most international prospects spend their first pro season in the DSL.

Down on the Farm: 5/6/2026

AAA:  Sacramento River Cats outscored the Reno Aces 9-5.

Harrison Bader DH- 0 for 3, BB, HBP.  BA= .167.

Nate Furman- 1 for 3, 2 BB.  BA= .288.

Buddy Kennedy 3B- 2 for 5, HR(2).  BA= .321.

Victor Bericoto 1B- 1 for 3, SF.  BA= .314.

Turner Hill LF- 3 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .354.

Thomas Gavello SS- 1 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .188.

Wilkin Ramos RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 2.04.

Michael Fulmer RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 2.70.

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels topped the Akron Rubber Ducks 5-4.

Aeverson Arteaga 2B- 2 for 2, 2B, BB, Sac.  BA= .309.

Jonah Cox RF- 3 for 3, HR(4), SF, SB(17).  BA= .429.

Trystan Vrieling RHP- 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 4.00.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds were idle. 

Very strange for the Ems to have two days off in a row in the middle of the week.  Guessing there is a conflict with stadium availability.

A:  San Jose Giants buried the Fresno Grizzlies 12-2.

Jhonny Level SS- 1 for 5, 2B.  BA= .336.

Damian Bravo LF- 2 for 4.  2B, HBP, SB(4).  BA= .287.

Hayden Jatczak 1B- 2 for 4, 2 2B, BB.  BA= .313.

Lorenzo Meola 2B- 1 for 2, 2B, 2 BB, HBP.  BA= .202.

Dario Reynoso 3B- 3 for 3, 3B, HR(3), 2 BB.  BA= .294.

Daniel Rogers C- 1 for 3, 2 BB.  BA= .259.

Broedy Poppell RF- 3 for 5, 2B.  BA= .267.

Jordan Gottesman LHP- 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K's, 8/2 GO/AO.  ERA= 2.88.

Ubert Mejias RHP- 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 2.49.

ACL:  Giants were idle.

Game Wrap 5/6/2026: Padres 5 Giants 1

Adrian Houser turned in a Quality Start but the Giants managed just one run in 5 innings against a pitcher who came into the game with 9.88 ERA.  Key Lines:

Rafael Devers 1B- 1 for 3, HR(3), R, RBI.  BA= .221.  Devers has exactly one hit in each of his last 7 games including 2 doubles and a HR, which he hit today for the Giants lone run.

Jesus Rodriguez RF- 2 for 3.  BA= .444.  JRod can hit and he's done OK both behind the plate in in RF today.  The Giants managed just 3 hits and 3 baserunners in the game.

Adrian Houser RHP- 6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K's, 9/4 GO/AO.  ERA= 6.19.  Solid line for Houser but lack of run support doomed his chances for a W.

Ryan Walker RHP- 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 5.52.  So it's not just the 9'th inning and not just high-leverage situations.  What role does Walker have on the team right now and how long do the Giants wait for him to fix whatever is wrong?

Joel Peguero RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 0.00.  The Giants need more hundos in their bullpen.

Matt Waldron RHP(Padres)- 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 7.71.  Waldron is the guy who came in with the 9.88 ERA.  The Giants lineup has a way of making guys like that look like Cy Young.

The Giants get a day off at home tomorrow before starting a weekend set against the Pirates.  SP's for Game 1 Friday are TBD.

Down on the Farm: 5/5/2026

 AAA:  Reno Aces shut out the Sacramento River Cats 4-0.

Harrison Bader CF- 1 for 3.  BA= .333.

Nate Furman DH- 2 for 5.  BA= .287.

Victor Bericoto RF- 2 for 4.  BA= .313.

Sam Hentges LHP- 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 2.25.  

Bader starts his rehab.  I don't think Gilbert has shown enough to steal his job so expect him to get a restart in CF when he's ready to come off the IL.  Isn't it about time for Hentges to be activated?

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels blanked the Akron Rubber Ducks 5-0.

Scott Bandura LF- 1 for 2, 2B, 2 BB, SB(7).  BA= .330.

Sabin Ceballos 1B- 1 for 4, HR(6).  BA= .278.

Maui Ahuna SS- 2 for 4, HR(3).  BA= .256.

Zach Morgan DH- 1 for 3, HR(1), Sac.  BA= .360.

Joe Whitman LHP- 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K's.  ERA= 4.76.

Tyler Vogel RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 1.50.

Shane Rademacher RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 5.68.

Joe Whitman needs to find some consistency.  Hopefully this is the start of a good run for him.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds were idle.

A:  Fresno Grizzlies scored 6 runs in the 9'th inning and 3 more in the 10'th to catch and pass the San Jose Giants 13-11(10 innings).

Jhonny Level SS- 3 for 6, 2B, SB(8).  BA= .343.

Cam Maldonado RF- 3 for 6, 2B, 3B, SB(10).  BA= .333.

Damian Bravo LF- 2 for 5, 2B, SB(3).  BA= .278.

Hayden Jatczak 1B- 2 for 5.  BA= .305.

Lorenzo Meola 2B- 2 for 4, SB(4), BB.  BA= .196.

Dario Reynoso 3B- 1 for 4, HR(2), BB, SB(1).  BA= .262.

Keyner Martinez RHP- 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 10 K's.  ERA= 4.35.

Lots to get excited about on the hitting side for San Jose this season.  Dominant start by Keyner Martinez.  

ACL:  D'Backs outscored the Giants 8-6.

Luis Hernandez SS- 1 for 4, HR(2).  BA= .182.

Yulian Barreto 3B- 2 for 2, HBP, SB(1).  BA= .500.

Alexander Fuentes RHP- 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 3.00.

Samir Chires RHP- 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Luis Hernandez has 2 hits in 11 AB's on the season, both HR's.  Keep an eye on Barreto who batted .322 last season in the DSL.