Game Wrap 4/25/2026: Giants 6 Marlins 2

The Giants fell behind early again but the lineup came to life in the late innings and pulled away for a solid win.  Key Lines:

Luis Arraez 2B- 2 for 5, 2B, RBI.  BA= .324.   What a breath of fresh air Luis Arraez has been so far!  He is tied for 10'th in MLB in hits only 3 hits behind the leader, Yordan Alvarez.  He has gone hitless in just 6 of 26 games and has multiple hits in 10 games.  On top of all that he has been a slightly plus defender per Fangraphs.  I am happy to see that defensive metric because he definitely passes my eye test.  

Matt Chapman DH- 1 for 3, 2B, 2 BB, R.  BA= .286.  Chapman's OBP is .342, Arraez is at .355.  Anyone for batting Arraez and Chapman 1, 2 and putting Adames lower in the lineup?

Casey Schmitt 3B- 2 for 3, 2B, HR(3), R, 2 RBI.  BA= .295.  For the second game in a row, Schmitt rounded 2B a bit too far and too hard and got thrown out trying to get back.  He made up for that blunder later with a laser shot home run at least a third of the way up the bleachers in left field.  

Jung Hoo Lee RF- 2 for 3, 2 2B, BB, R.  BA= .287.  Lee is finally living up to the "Grandson of the Wind" reputation.  He's batting .400 over his last 7 games and .385 over his last 15.  The Hoo Lee Gans are loving every minute of it.

Heliot Ramos LF- 2 for 4, HR(3), R, RBI.  BA= .277.  As much criticism as I have seen of Ramos, I did not realize he is hitting .400 over his last 7 games and .333 over his last 15. His homer in this game was not a splash hit but was over the RF wall which is also rare for a RH batter.

Drew Gilbert CF- 1 for 4, HR(2), R, RBI.  BA= .233.  Gilbert's numbers are not great but I like the way he carries himself at the plate and I like his swing.  He's still learning.  Keep putting hime out there. I think he can turn into a....hate to say this.....but a Lenny Dykstra type player.

Patrick Bailey C- 1 for 3, BB, SB(2), R, RBI.  BA= .156.  At least when Bailey does get a hit it tends to be in the later innings and in higher leverage situations.  He singled in Jung Hoo Lee for the Giants 4'th run in the 6'th inning then drew a walk and scored on Arraez' double in the 8'th inning.  He was charged with a throwing error in the 9'th that cost the Giants a run although it was a tough angle on a dribbler in front of the plate and the throw clipped the runner's left shoulder changing the ball's direction causing Devers to miss the catch.  So not only did they not get the out but it put a runner at 2B who scored on a single.

Robbie Ray LHP- 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 2.70.  Ray threw 33 pitches in the first inning and was at 47 through 2.  He ended up with 97 in 5 innings but allowed just the one run which gave the lineup a chance to come back in the later innings.

Matt Gage LHP(1.64), Keaton Winn RHP(2.53) and Erik Miller LHP(4.00) pitched a scoreless frame each.  

Ryan Walker RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K.  ERA= 3.00.  Non-Save situation.  The runner at 2B on the error was not his fault.  He gets extra-credit for an acrobatic comebacker GIDP to end the game.

Hmm....hadn't noticed but the Padres are in first place in the NL West. The Giants trail them by 6.5 games and remain 4 games behind in the Wild Card race.

Landen Roupp RHP tries for another series win tomorrow against Max Meyer RHP.

Down on the Farm: 4/24/2026

 AAA:  Sacramento River Cats topped the Albuquerque Isotopes 4-3.

Grant McCray RF- 1 for 4, HR(1).  BA= .197.

Victor Bericoto DH- 2 for 4.  BA= .293

Turner Hill CF- 2 for 3, 2B, BB. BA= .389.

Trevor McDonald RHP- 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 5.40.

Michael Fulmer RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 3.60.

Dylan Smith RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's, Save(1).  ERA= 0.00.

AA: Richmond Flying Squirrels outscored the Somerset Patriots 7-6.

Scott Bandura LF- 1 for 4, HR(2), BB.  BA= .347.

Drew Cavanaugh PH- 1 for 1, HR(2).  BA= .350.

Maui Ahuna SS- 2 for 4, SB(5).  BA= .297.

Jonah Cox CF/RF- 1 for 3, BB, SB(12).  BA= .415.

Trystan Vrieling- 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 5.40.

Jack Choate LHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 2.45.

We've had some questions about whether Scott Bandura is a legitimate prospect.  I've always thought he was and he has a great back story to boot.  He was the catcher for the Little League team that won the college World Series when Mo'Ne Davis pitched.  He father was the coach of the team.  Scott played college ball for Princeton and was drafted by the Giants in Round 7, 2023.  He batted .241 but with 6 HR an OBP of .364 in 79 AB for the SJ Giants in 2023.  Back in SJ to start the 2024 season, he batted .276/.389 in 105 AB before a midseason promotion to A+ Eugene where his BA slipped to .227 but with 6 HR and an OBP of .332 in 211 AB.  That is where his speed first showed up with 19 SB.  Back in Eugene to start 2025 his BA improved to .307 in 319 AB with 7 HR and 30 SB.  He got a later season promotion to AA where he struggled to a .199 BA.  It looks like he put that introduction to AA pitching to good use as he is off to a hot start.  He has a pattern of improving with experience at each level. If he continues the strong performance to midseason I could see him getting a promotion to AAA and being protected from the Rule 5 draft in November.  

A+:  Eugene Emeralds defeated the Hillsboro Hops 9-4.

Lisbel Diaz LF- 2 for 5, 2 HR(4).  BA= .216.

Dakota Jordan CF- 1 for 4, BB.  BA= .333.

Gavin Kilen SS- 3 for 5, 2 2B.  BA= .282.

Ty Hanchey C- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .273.

Esmerlin Vinicio LHP- 2.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Lisbel Diaz shows flashes of turning into a big time hitting prospect but has yet to find consistency.  Hopefully the start of a another hot stretch for Gavin Kilen.  

A:  Ontario Tower Buzzers strafed buzzed the San Jose Giants 7-3.

Jhonny Level DH- 2 for 3, BB, SB(6).  BA= .368.

Jeremiah Jenkins 1B- 2 for 4.  BA= .375.

Braydon Risley LHP- 4 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 7 K's, 4/0 GO/AO.  ERA= 3.38.

Mauricio Estrella RHP- 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 2.45.

Game Wrap 4/24/2026: Marlins 9 Giants 4

This one got away early as Adrian Houser gave up 8 runs in 4 innings of work and the lineup was not able to catch up.  Key Lines:

Luis Arraez 2B- 3 for 5, RBI.  BA= .320.  Arraez keeps hitting but the impact of singles hitters is limited by the batters around him in the lineup.  Arraez batted second and the #1, 3 and 4 went a combined 1 for 13.  If you add in the #5 batter, it was 2 for 17.

Jung Hoo Lee RF- 3 for 4, HR(2).  BA= .275.  Lee continues his hot hitting.  Can we please get him and Arraez batting closer together in the lineup?

Eric Haase C- 1 for 3, HR(1).  BA= .333.  Once upon a time Haase was one of the more promising young power-hitting catchers.  He seems to be back healthy and hitting more like that version of him.

Adrian Houser RHP- 4 IP, 11 H, 8 R, 1 BB, 3 K's, 4/1 GO/AO).  ERA= 7.36.  Houser's early season struggles continue but not too surprising given his career history.  Note he has a career positive groundball tendency.  Thanks to Around the Foghorn for noting that Kruk thinks the ABS Challenge System has caused trouble with sinkerballers by giving batters a point of reference for laying off low pitches and forcing the pitchers to elevate into the strike zone.  This was in reference to Logan Webb's early season struggles.

The Loss drops the Giants record to 11-15. They fall 6.5 games behind the Dodgers in the NL West and 4 games out of the Wild Card race.

Robbie Ray LHP tries to be the Stopper this afternoon facing Eury Perez RHP.  

Down on the Farm: 4/23/2026

AAA:  Sacramento River Cats outscored the Albuquerque Isotopes 12-10.

Buddy Kennedy 3B- 3 for 4, 3B, BB.  BA= .358.

Thomas Gavello SS- 2 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .190.

Osleivis Basabe 2B- 2 for 4, 2B,  HR(1).  BA= .214.

Turner Hill CF- 3 for 4, SB(1).  BA= .333.

Carson Seymour RHP- 1.2 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 4.15.

Wilkin Ramos RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 3/0 GO/AO.  ERA= 2.77.

....and just like that, Carson Seymour blows up the next guy up narrative.

AA:  Richmond Flying Squirrels defeated the Somerset Patriots 5-2.

Scott Bandura LF- 2 for 2, BB, HBP, SB(5).  BA= .352.

Maui Ahuna DH- 2 for 4, 2B, SB(4).  BA= .283.

Jonah Cox CF- 2 for 3, HR(2), SB(11).  

Joe Whitman LHP- 5.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 5.68.

Shane Rademacher RHP- 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 2.89.

Mitch White RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K.  ERA= 4.32.

Bo Davidson seems to have disappeared from the Squirrels lineup again. He last appeared in a game on 4/18.  He is not listed on the 7-day IL.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds topped the Hillsboro Hops 3-1.

Trevor Cohen RF- 1 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .235.

Gavin Kilen SS- 1 for 3, 2B, BB.  BA= .260.

Dakota Jordan CF- 2 for 4, 2B.  BA= .338.

Niko Mazza RHP- 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 6 K's.  ERA= 4.40.

Austin Strickland RHP- 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 6.52.

Ryan Vanderhei RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K's, Save(2).  ERA= 2.89.

A:  San Jose Giants beat the Ontario Tower Buzzers 9-6.

Lorenzo Meola 2B- 2 for 4, BB, 2 SB(3).  BA= .242.

Junior Barajas C- 2 for 2, 2B, 3 BB.  BA= .302.

Cam Maldonado CF- 2 for 3, HR(7), 2 BB.  BA= .355.

Jeremiah Jenkins DH- 3 for 5.  BA= .364.

Dario Reynoso 3B- 2 for 3, 2B, 2 BB.  BA= .302.

Argenis Cayama RHP- 5 IP, 6 h, 1 R, 1 BB, 6 K's. ERA= 3.06.

Garrett Langrell RHP- 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 2.08.

Dylan Carter RHP- 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, Save(1).  ERA= 4.00.

Argenis Cayama's composite line over his last 3 starts is 1-0, 1.29, 14 IP, 12 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 18 K.

Game Wrap 4/23/2026: Dodgers 3 Giants 0

Logan Webb RHP pitched a Quality Start but the Giants lineup was completely shut down by Tyler Glasnow RHP who limited the Giants to one hit and one walk(Luis Arraez had both).  There really isn't anything else to say about this game.  Oh, Dalton Rushing C is trying hard to become the latest in a long line of Dodger villains with Logan Webb deciding to play the role of straight man for no other reason than why-the-heck not?

This was the 5'th time the Giants lineup was shut out on the season.  The Giants have pitched 4 shutouts so it's not totally a one way street.

Down on the Farm: 4/22/2026

 AAA:  Albuquerque Isotopes blanked the Sacramento River Cats 6-0.

Buddy Kennedy 3B- 2 for 4.  BA= .333.

Victor Bericoto RF- 2 for 4.  BA= .284.

Carson Whisenhunt LHP gave up 6 runs in 4.2 IP.  Sam Hentges LHP, Joel Peguero RHP, Tristan Beck RHP, Michael Fulmer RHP all threw a scoreless frame.

AA:  Somerset Patriots topped the Richmond Flying Squirrels 9-8.

Scott Bandura LF- 2 for 5, 2B, 3B.  BA= .333.

Sabin Ceballos 3B- 1 for 4, HR(4), BB.  BA= .269.

Drew Cavanaugh DH- 1 for 3, BB, 2 SB(2).  BA= .333.

Jonah Cox CF- 1 for 2, 2 BB, SB(10).  BA= .404.

Maui Ahuna SS- 1 for 4, BB, SF, SB(3).  BA= .268.

Will Bednar RHP- 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 2.70.

Marco Luciano 2B(Patriots)- 2 for 3, HR(4), 2 BB, E(5).  BA= .346.

Patriots scored 6 runs over the final 3 innings to overcome an 8-3 Squirrels lead.  Marco Luciano is hitting well for the Patriots but continues to have defensive struggles.

A+:  Eugene Emeralds defeated the Hillsoboro Hops 6-3.

Dakota Jordan DH- 1 for 3, BB, SB(5).  BA= .328.

Lisbel Diaz RF- 1 for 3, SF.  BA= .214.

Zander Darby 1B- 1 for 4, HR(3).  BA= .315.

Walker Martin 3B- 2 for 2, 2B, HR(3), 2 BB, SB(6).  BA= .280.

Tyler Switalski LHP- 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 0 BB, 3 K's.  ERA= 1.00.

Ryan Slater RHP- 2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 4 K's.  ERA= 4.15.

Gerelmi Maldonado RHP- 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K, Save(1).  ERA= 3.60.

Will this be Walker Martin's breakout season?  Is Gerelmi Maldonado on the Closer track now?

A:  San Jose Giants quieted the Ontario Tower Buzzers 4-2.

Jhonny Level SS- 1 for 4, BB, SB(5).  BA= .383.

Junior Barajas DH- 1 for 4, 2B.  BA= .275.

Hayden Jatczak 3B- 2 for 4.  BA= .333.

Damian Bravo LF- 2 for 4, 2B, SB(1).  BA= .262.

Jordan Gottesman LHP- 4.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 3.52.

Sam Bower RHP- 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K's.  ERA= 4.76.

Alix Hernandez RHP- 2 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K's.  ERA= 0.00.

Game Wrap 4/22/2026: Giants 3 Dodgers 0

 The Giants got a great game from the unlikeliest sectors of their roster:  An absolute ****s to the wall pitching performance by Tyler Mahle, a 3-run home run by Patrick Bailey and multiple great defensive plays.  Key Lines:

Patrick Bailey C- 1 for 3, HR(1), R, 3 RBI.  BA= .155.  After Drew Gilbert CF sacrificed Jung Hoo Lee RF and Heliot Ramos LF to third and second bases respectively, I texted my friend and said, "what's the point of sacrificing the runners over when Patrick Bailey is due up?" Left unspoken was why after doing that would you not pinch-hit for Bailey?  Boom!  No sooner did I hit "Send" and Bailey made me look stupid.  A very wise manager named Earl Weaver once said baseball games are won by 3-run home runs and great pitching.  There was still work to be done but you had to feel pretty good about the game at that point.

Tyler Mahle RHP- 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K's, 10/5 GO/AO.  ERA= 5.26.  Mahle outpitched perhaps the best all-around player to ever play the game, he is at least in the conversation, on two levels:  He matched zeros for 6 innings then did him one better by pitching a scoreless 7'th and he held The Great One hitless in 3 AB's at the top of the batting order.  There are a handful of random players in Giants history who will never be forgotten due to legendary performances against the Dodgers.  Brian Johnson immediately comes to mind.  Tyler Mahle may have joined that rank with this performance.  And I will take a small piece of credit for writing yesterday that this game looked like a mismatch.

Willy Adames SS, Luis Arraez 2B and Rafael Devers 1B made great stops on smoked baseballs to back up Mahle's pitching on the defensive side.

Devers had two hits and is batting .290 over his last 7 games.  Jung Hoo Lee had two hits and is batting .385 over his last 7 games, .308 over his last 15.  Ryan Walker RHP earned his second Save in as many games and the Giants may finally have a true Closer.

With the Win, the Giants gained a game on both the first place Dodgers and the Wild Card race, now trailing by 5 and 3 games respectively.  They are one game over .500 since the opening series of the season and 5-1 over their last 6 games.

Logan Webb RHP goes for the sweep this afternoon against Tyler Glasnow RHP.