Flores connected off Grant Anderson (1-1) with two outs.

Caleb Durbin hit his first career home run with a two-run drive in the first against San Francisco starter Robbie Ray, who allowed two runs and five hits. He struck out four and walked three over five solid innings.

Hayden Birdsong (1-0) struck out four in three innings of relief to win for the Giants, who had lost three of the last four on their recent 10-game trip. Camilo Doval pitched a perfect ninth for his third save.

Quinn Priester walked a season-high four batters over four innings in his third 2025 start as Milwaukee began a season-long 10-game trip spanning 11 days.

Patrick Bailey hit an RBI single in the second and a sacrifice fly in the eighth for San Francisco, which will be without infielder Casey Schmitt for at least a month after an MRI exam Monday showed a Grade 2 left oblique strain.

Tyler Fitzgerald scored the tying run in the fifth when Willy Adames grounded into a forceout.

Key Moment

Birdsong allowed a leadoff single to Rhys Hoskins in the sixth — the first batter he faced after replacing Ray — but then retired Sal Frelick on a line drive and got Joey Ortiz to ground into an inning-ending double play. The Giants went ahead in the bottom half.

Key Stat

Brewers catcher William Contreras caught a pair of baserunners trying to steal: Mike Yastrzemski in the first and Matt Chapman in the second.

Up Next

Brewers LHP Jose Quintana (2-0, 0.71 ERA) pitches the second game of the four-game series Tuesday night opposite RHP Jordan Hicks (1-2, 8.04).

The post Flores Launches Go-Ahead Homer as Lee, Birdsong Help Lift Giants Over Brewers appeared first on GV Wire.

In fact, this entire start showed Verlander still has a bit left in the tank.

Verlander allowed a run and two hits in six innings Sunday. He was in line for his first victory with the San Francisco Giants until the Los Angeles Angels scored four runs in the ninth to steal a 5-4 win. Verlander struck out six and lowered his ERA to 5.47.

“Felt like I’ve been trending in the right direction,” Verlander told reporters. “It was nice to give us a better chance to win today.”

It would have been the 263rd career win for the three-time Cy Young Award winner. This was only the second time he made it through six innings in his last 14 starts. Verlander joined the Giants on a $15 million, one-year contract before the season.

Sunday was the best sign so far that this could be a worthwhile investment. Verlander became only the third pitcher in the last decade to pitch at least six innings while allowing two or fewer hits at age 42 or older. The others were Rich Hill and Bartolo Colon.

Trout is just 5 for 45 against Verlander. On Sunday, he went down swinging at a 96.2 mph fastball in the first inning, drew an eight-pitch walk in the fourth, then struck out swinging in the sixth on Verlander’s fastest strikeout pitch since 2023.

“Pitched great,” manager Bob Melvin said. “Got a little bit of a pitch count battle there at the end, but got through six. … Different velos on his fastball, slider when he needed it. Threw some curveballs and some changeups. Pitched really well.”

The post Verlander Flashes Vintage Form at 42, Strikes Out Trout Twice in Giants Loss appeared first on GV Wire.

Sánchez (2-0) allowed three runs — two earned — four hits and one walk. His previous strikeout high was 10 on three occasions.

Sánchez got 11 of his strikeouts on changeups and threw changeups on 50 of 97 pitches.

After Matt Chapman hit an RBI single in the first, the Phillies went ahead in the bottom half as their first five batters reached base on four singles and a walk. Kyle Schwarber had a two-run single, Nick Castellanos had an RBI single, Jordan Hicks (1-2) threw a run-scoring wild pitch and Alec Bohm had an RBI triple.

Hicks (1-2) gave up five runs, six hits and four walks in seven innings.

Edmundo Sosa hit a sacrifice fly in the eighth after replacing Castellanos, who left the game with left hip flexor tightness.

José Alvarado gave up a ninth-inning home run to Tyler Fitzgerald, then finished for his fourth save.

Chapman hit a two-run homer in the sixth and was 7 for 16 (.438) with four RBIs in the series after entering in an 0-for-22 slide.

Key Moment

Bohm’s triple was hit to the warning track, where the ball popped out of the glove of center fielder Luis Matos, who tried for a leaping catch.

Key Stat

Philadelphia has not lost a series at home since being swept by the New York Yankees last July.

Up Next

Giants: RHP Logan Webb (2-0, 2.63) starts Friday at the Los Angeles Angels against LHP Tyler Anderson (1-0, 2.87).

Phillies: RHP Zack Wheeler (1-1, 4.07) starts a series opener Friday against Miami and RHP Sandy Alcantara (2-0, 4.70).

The post Giants Befuddled by Sánchez’s Changeup in Loss to the Phillies appeared first on GV Wire.

San Francisco improved to 13-5 with its third win in four games. Mike Yastrzemski, Wilmer Flores and Patrick Bailey also drove in a pair of runs for the Giants.

Bryce Harper homered for Philadelphia.

San Francisco had 13 hits and nine walks, with much of the damage coming off struggling Philadelphia starter Aaron Nola (0-4). The right-hander gave up six earned runs and nine hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Three Giants relievers — Lou Trivino (1-0), Camilo Doval and Spencer Bivens — combined to pitch five scoreless innings after Robbie Ray was charged with four runs and six hits.

Bailey’s two-run single in the second helped the Giants jump out to a 4-0 lead. After Harper’s two-run shot tied it in the fourth, San Francisco scored seven unanswered runs.

Nola, who signed a $172 million, seven-year contract in November 2023, has a 6.65 ERA through four starts.

Key Moment

The Giants went ahead in the fifth on center fielder Johan Rojas’ error. Lee went to third on Matt Chapman’s single and scored when Rojas’ throw went into foul territory in front of San Francisco’s dugout.

Key Stat

36 — The number of minutes the first inning took to complete. Nola and Ray labored through 74 pitches, only 38 of which were strikes, while combining to walk six batters. Three of the free passes came with the bases loaded.

Up Next

The teams close out their four-game series on Thursday. Jordan Hicks (1-1, 5.87 ERA)

The post Jung Hoo Lee Stars as the Surging Giants Beat Aaron Nola and the Phillies appeared first on GV Wire.

The Giants took two of three over the weekend from the Yankees and added a win against the defending NL East champions. Only San Diego (13-3) was off to a better start than the Giants (11-4) entering Monday.

Nick Castellanos homered for the Phillies.

Giants reliever Erik Miller came within inches of allowing a three-run homer to J.T. Realmuto in the seventh only for the ball to land just foul in left. Miller struck out Realmuto looking, preserving an 8-4 lead.

Landen Roupp (1-1) struck out eight and allowed four runs in five innings as the Giants won for the fourth time in five games.

Roupp gave up three runs in the first inning — an early win for the Phillies’ tepid offense after they scored six runs total over the last four games.

Taijuan Walker (1-1) couldn’t hold the lead. Fitzgerald hit a three-run shot off Walker into the left field seats and Adames atoned for getting picked off first an inning earlier with a solo shot for a 6-3 lead.

Walker also was charged with a throwing error that affected his final line of six runs, four earned, with five strikeouts in five innings.

Yastrzemski added a two-run homer in the seventh and an RBI double in the ninth.

Key Moments

Trailing 6-3, the Phillies had runners on second and third and no outs against Roupp in the fourth. Roupp retired the next three batters without allowing a run. Down 6-4 in the sixth, the Phillies wasted a Max Kepler’s leadoff double, leaving him stranded at third.

Key Stat

Phillies manager Rob Thomson benched Brandon Marsh, who’s in an 0-for-26 slump. Johan Rojas replaced him and struck out three times, including one time each during the rally-killing fourth and sixth innings.

Up Next

The Giants send RHP Justin Verlander (0-0, 6.92 ERA) to the mound in search of career win No. 263 against Phillies LHP Jesús Luzardo (2-0, 1.50 ERA).

The post Giants Slug 3 Homers and Continue Fast Start With a Win Over Phillies appeared first on GV Wire.

San Francisco has won nine of 12 games and took a regular-season series in the Bronx for the first time.

New York has lost five of seven games and three of its last four series. Yankees starters have a 5.40 ERA, tied with Baltimore for highest in the major leagues.

Rodón (1-3) allowed four runs and three hits in 5 2/3 innings. He has allowed five runs in his last three starts after issuing walks and his 36 homers allowed since the start of 2024 are tied with Toronto’s Jose Berríos for the most in the majors.

Lee got San Francisco’s first hit in the fourth inning by homering into the right-center field seats off Rodón’s slider. He put the Giants ahead 4-3 in the sixth, driving a hanging curveball for his third homer of the series. Rookie Christian Koss reached on an infield single for his first major league hit and Willy Adames walks.

Paul Goldschmidt hit an RBI single off Logan Webb (2-0) in the first before getting robbed of a hit by right fielder Luis Matos’ leaping catch at the wall in the third. JC Escarra added an RBI double, and Ben Rice hit a run-scoring single in the second off Webb.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. homered off sidearmer Tyler Rogers in the eighth, ending an 0-for-24 slide. Tyler Walker got a called third strike on Aaron Judge to finish his fourth save.

Webb allowed three runs and five hits in five innings.

The Giants added a run in the seventh when Casey Schmitt scored on an error by Goldschmidt, who misplayed Koss’ grounder.

After the deal, the Yankees played Alicia Keys’ “Empire State of Mind.” They are no longer using “New York, New York” after home defeats this year.

Key Moments

Lee homered on one of just eight curveballs thrown by Rodón.

Key Stat

Rodón issued two walks on his slider in the sixth. The Giants were 1 for 11 with two walks against the pitch and the one hit was Lee’s first homer.

Up Next

Giants: RHP Landon Roupp (0-1, 3.60 ERA) opposes RHP Taijuan Walker (1-0, 0.00) in the opener of a four-game series Monday in Philadelphia.

Yankees: Carlos Carrasco (1-1, 7.71) faces Kansas City RHP Seth Lugo (1-1, 3.24) in the opener of a three-game series Monday.

The post Jung Hoo Lee Homers Twice off Carlos Rodón, Giants Rally From 3-Run Deficit to Beat Yankees appeared first on GV Wire.

Wilmer Flores had three hits including a home run for San Francisco, which avoided a three-game series sweep.

Yastrzemski homered off Emilio Pagán (0-1) with automatic runner Matt Chapman at third.

Elly De La Cruz had a two-run double and Gavin Lux singled in two for Cincinnati in a five-run third inning.

The Giants trailed 6-1 in the sixth when Patrick Bailey tripled in a run during a four-run inning. Flores homered leading off the eighth to tie it.

Giants starter Justin Verlander struck out nine and gave up six runs (five earned) on five hits and three walks in 5 2/3 innings. The 42-year-old, who signed a $15 million one-year contract in January, was coming off a forgettable home debut on Friday against Seattle in which he lasted just 2 1/3 innings.

Erik Miller (1-0) pitched a perfect 10th inning for the win.

Reds starter Nick Martinez struck out eight and gave up four runs on seven hits and a walk in 5 2/3 innings.

Key Moment

Reds left fielder Will Benson made a diving catch in the gap to rob Lee of extra bases with one out in the ninth.

Key Stat

Verlander struck out at least nine for the first time since May 29 against Seattle while pitching for Houston.

Up Next

Reds: RHP Brady Singer (1-0, 5.40 ERA) is expected to pitch Friday night’s series opener at home against Pittsburgh. LHP Brady Falter (0-1, 8.10) is scheduled to pitch for the Pirates.

Giants: LHP Robbie Ray (2-0, 3.18) is scheduled to pitch against the Yankees in New York on Friday night opposite RHP Marcus Stroman (0-0, 7.27).

The post Yastrzemski Hits a 2-Run Homer in the 10th Inning and Giants Top Reds appeared first on GV Wire.

Adames’ double down the left-field line scored Christian Koss and Patrick Bailey. Heliot Ramos later added a solo homer, his third of the year, and that was all Webb (1-0) would need. He held the Astros to just one run and five hits with six strikeouts and no walks.

Giants reliever Ryan Walker pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn his second save.

Houston’s lone run came on a homer by José Altuve to the left-field Crawford Boxes, his first of the year, in the fourth.

Astros starter Hayden Wesneski — a Houston native who attended Cy-Fair High School and Sam Houston State — allowed three runs and two hits in five innings while striking out six and walking three in his Astros debut.

The Astros have scored more than two runs just once in their first five games with a new lineup that lost All-Stars Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman in the offseason.

Key Moment

With Altuve representing the go-ahead run in the eighth inning, he hit a blooper to shallow right field that was caught by first baseman Casey Schmitt to end the inning.

Key Stat

The Astros had previously won six straight games on April Fool’s Day and hadn’t lost on April 1 since opening day 2011 at Philadelphia.

Up Next

Giants RHP Landen Roupp will make his season debut against Astros ace LHP Framber Valdez (1-0, 0.00) in the Wednesday afternoon series finale.

The post Webb Pitches 7 Strong Innings as Giants Beat Astros appeared first on GV Wire.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the deal was pending a physical.

It’s the latest big move by new Giants President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey since he was hired in September to replace Farhan Zaidi.

San Francisco also signed free agent shortstop Willy Adames to a $182 million, seven-year contract in December.

20th Big League Season  for Verlander

This will be the 20th major league season for Verlander, a three-time AL Cy Young Award winner who turns 42 next month. He would join a Giants rotation led by All-Star righty Logan Webb.

Verlander went 5-6 with a 5.48 ERA in 17 starts for the AL West champion Houston Astros last year. He opened the season on the injured list with shoulder inflammation. He also was on the IL from June 18 to Aug. 21 because of neck discomfort.

The right-hander had a 9.26 ERA in five September starts and was left off Houston’s postseason roster when the team was swept by Detroit in an AL Wild Card Series. He became a free agent after he failed to pitch 140 innings, a total that would have triggered his ability to exercise a $35 million conditional player option.

After the Astros were eliminated from the playoffs, Verlander said he thought he had “a lot more to give” next season and beyond.

“I definitely feel like I want to continue to pitch and compete and I’m not ready to step away yet,” he said in October.

Verlander, a Virginia native who played college ball at Old Dominion, was selected by Detroit with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2004 amateur draft. He made his big league debut with the Tigers in 2005.

The 6-foot-5 ace spent his first 12-plus seasons with Detroit. He won his first Cy Young Award and was voted AL MVP after he went 24-5 with a 2.40 ERA in 2011.

He was traded to Houston in August 2017 and helped the team capture the franchise’s first World Series title that same year. He won two more Cy Young Awards and another championship during his first stint with the Astros.

Verlander signed an $86.7 million, two-year contract with the New York Mets as a free agent in December 2022. The nine-time All-Star made 16 starts for New York before he was traded back to Houston for two minor leaguers.

Verlander is 262-147 with a 3.30 ERA in 526 career starts. He is baseball’s active leader in wins, strikeouts (3,416), innings (3,415 2/3), starts and complete games (26). He also has a 17-12 record with a 3.58 ERA in 38 career postseason appearances.

The post Justin Verlander and Giants Agree to $15M, 1-Year Deal appeared first on GV Wire.

So when introduced as their new shortstop Thursday, Adames looked to his left and gently put a hand on manager Bob Melvin’s right shoulder, smiled and said, “if he lets me.”

Melvin might not need much convincing, thrilled to suddenly have stability at a position that lacked continuity this year in his first season as skipper.

Adames didn’t hesitate to also offer a thought to new boss Buster Posey: He plans to win a few championships with the Giants just like the catcher-turned-executive did here.

Related Story: Shortstop Willy Adames and San Francisco Giants Finalize $182 Million, 7-Year ...

Adames Signs $182 Million, Seven-Year Contract

Surrounded by his parents and other family and friends, Adames was formally introduced and welcomed at Oracle Park after signing a $182 million, seven-year contract — the first big, splashy move made by Posey since he became President of Baseball Operations in late September.

“There’s no words to describe my feeling right now to be here in this beautiful city, I’m just so happy to be here,” Adames said. “… This is a dream come true for me. I’m thrilled to be here, I’m so excited. Hopefully we can win a few championships like you did, and that’s one of the main reasons I’m here.”

Everyone who has encountered Adames so far can’t wait for him to get to work as an example both on the diamond and in the clubhouse.

“He’s a unique connector of people,” Posey shared from Craig Counsell’s description of the 29-year-old infielder from the Dominican Republic. “That really struck me because I think to win championships you have to have personalities like Willy that they’re able to identify with everybody in the clubhouse, and that’s not just players. I heard from multiple people that Willy treats everybody with the utmost respect. He plays with energy, he plays with joy and I know that our fans are just going to be thrilled to watch him compete on a daily basis.”

Adames’ deal marks the richest contract for San Francisco since Posey reached a $167 million, nine-year pact in 2013.

“I didn’t know ’til it was done. I was like ‘wow,'” Adames said.

Related Story: Willy Adames Agrees to $182 Million, 7-Year Deal With the Giants, AP Source

Contract Details and Charitable Contributions

Adames receives a $22 million signing bonus, half on Jan. 15 and half on Jan. 15, 2026. He gets salaries of $10 million in each of the first two seasons and $28 million in each of the remaining seasons. Adames also gets a full no-trade provision and a hotel suite on road trips, and he will make annual charitable contributions.

From afar, Adames watched the legacy left by his hero Derek Jeter that went far beyond the baseball diamond.

And that’s as important to Adames as playing all 162 after he appeared in 161 games last season for Milwaukee. He considers part of his role to help the young players learn “to be a professional” and lead a club that has missed the playoffs the past three years in winning the right way.

“For me that comes first, it comes first to be a great human being. I’ve got to thank my parents for that, they raised me the right way, to try to treat everybody the same, it doesn’t matter what you’re doing,” Adames said. “I think that’s something that I’m really proud of, just to be the same guy every day, to be kind, just to give love back to people because there’s a lot of hate out there and I don’t really like that.”

The Giants know Adames’ positive influence could go far.

Asked about the instability at shortstop, Melvin noted, “Well, it’s not a problem now.”

Related Story: Randy Winn Hired by San Francisco Giants as Vice President of Player

Adames Brings Power and Enthusiasm to the Giants

Adames gives the Giants a power bat and reliable defense at his position. This year for the Brewers, he produced his best offensive season in the big leagues, batting .251 with a career-high 32 home runs and 112 RBIs.

“Look, every team wants a Willy Adames on their team. I think the thing that strikes me the most is when I’d watch him play a couple times a year on the other side was he never looked like he had a bad day,” Melvin said. “It always looked like every day was opening day to him. That enthusiasm when your best players are like that — Matt Chapman is like that, too — it’s easy for everybody to have to fall in and play in that type of style. It’s easier said than done but really for me that’s the thing that struck me most is how much he loved playing baseball.”

Adames is close friends with former Giants third baseman Matt Duffy, who shared his own experiences being part of the San Francisco franchise.

It all became real when Adames pulled on his new cream-colored Giants jersey and buttoned it up, saying, “I’m a little nervous about this.”

A few moments later, the cap went on his head and he felt right at home.

“It looks amazing.”

The post Willy Adames Plans to Play Every Day for Giants and Bring Them Championships appeared first on GV Wire.