On Friday night at Oracle Park, the San Francisco Giants let another winnable game slip away, falling 7–6 to the Tampa Bay Rays in the opener of a three-game series. A spirited offensive start and multiple opportunities to put the game away went to waste, as the Giants’ bullpen faltered late and the bats missed in key moments.
San Francisco opened strong against Rays starter Joe Boyle. Willy Adames powered a solo homer in the third and reached base three times on the night, while Christian Koss continued his knack for situational hitting with a run-scoring double in the second. Dominic Smith chipped in with two big hits, driving in the game’s first run and later doubling. By the time Patrick Bailey scorched a two-run double into right field, the Giants had surged ahead 6–3 after three innings and appeared in control.
But Tampa Bay chipped away quickly. Junior Caminero launched a solo homer in the second, and Chandler Simpson’s two-run single in the fourth tied the game 6–6. Defensive miscues only added to the damage, including a dropped catch in right that set up another Rays scoring chance.
Once the starters exited, the game became a duel of relievers. Landen Roupp, who had been reliable at home, lasted only three innings before giving way. Tampa Bay’s Ian Seymour steadied the visitors with 3.1 innings of sharp work, striking out four and holding the Giants scoreless. Garrett Cleavinger and Griffin Jax bridged the middle innings, while Edwin Uceta dodged a bases-loaded jam in the eighth to keep the game tied.
San Francisco’s bullpen had its moments too — Carson Seymour and Joey Lucchesi each delivered clean outings to preserve the stalemate through the late innings.
San Francisco opened strong against Rays starter Joe Boyle. Willy Adames powered a solo homer in the third and reached base three times on the night, while Christian Koss continued his knack for situational hitting with a run-scoring double in the second. Dominic Smith chipped in with two big hits, driving in the game’s first run and later doubling. By the time Patrick Bailey scorched a two-run double into right field, the Giants had surged ahead 6–3 after three innings and appeared in control.
But Tampa Bay chipped away quickly. Junior Caminero launched a solo homer in the second, and Chandler Simpson’s two-run single in the fourth tied the game 6–6. Defensive miscues only added to the damage, including a dropped catch in right that set up another Rays scoring chance.
Once the starters exited, the game became a duel of relievers. Landen Roupp, who had been reliable at home, lasted only three innings before giving way. Tampa Bay’s Ian Seymour steadied the visitors with 3.1 innings of sharp work, striking out four and holding the Giants scoreless. Garrett Cleavinger and Griffin Jax bridged the middle innings, while Edwin Uceta dodged a bases-loaded jam in the eighth to keep the game tied.
San Francisco’s bullpen had its moments too — Carson Seymour and Joey Lucchesi each delivered clean outings to preserve the stalemate through the late innings.
Yet the Giants failed to capitalize on their best chance, coming up empty in that eighth-inning rally with the bases loaded and no outs. After Casey Schmitt was hit by a pitch and forced to leave with an injury, Tyler Fitzgerald came on as a pinch runner and advanced to third when Jung Hoo Lee singled and Christian Koss was hit trying to bunt. With the bases loaded and nobody out, San Francisco failed to cash in — Patrick Bailey lined out, Drew Gilbert grounded into a force at home, and Heliot Ramos ended the threat with another fielder’s choice. Uceta escaped unscathed, and the Giants’ missed chance loomed large in the final outcome.
Bob Melvin discussed how it’s “demoralizing” not being able to capitalize in critical situations.
Schmitt did not return after being hit by the pitch. Melvin mentioned Schmitt’s X-rays were negative in the postgame interview, but he is likely out for a few days. This takes a toll on the third-base depth for the Giants as Matt Chapman was placed on the IL recently.
That missed opportunity proved costly. In the top of the ninth, Simpson singled and promptly stole his 34th base of the season. Yandy Díaz followed with a sharp RBI single to right, scoring Simpson and giving Tampa Bay its first lead since the opening inning. The Rays finished with 10 hits overall, seven of them coming with runners on base.
The Giants had one last opportunity when Rafael Devers doubled off the wall to begin the bottom half, his lone hit after four earlier strikeouts. But Adames grounded out, Smith advanced the runner with another groundout, and Fitzgerald’s routine pop fly sealed the defeat.
The loss marked San Francisco’s 11th in its past 12 home games, continuing a frustrating skid that has erased momentum gained on the road. Adames homered and reached base twice, but the lineup managed only two hits after the fourth inning. Devers, who had carried the offense in recent series, finished 1-for-5 with four strikeouts.
The victory improved Tampa Bay to 60–63, while San Francisco slipped to 59–63, underscoring its late-inning woes. The series continues Saturday night, with the Giants still searching for answers at home and looking to show any kind of life in the NL wild-card race.
Bob Melvin discussed how it’s “demoralizing” not being able to capitalize in critical situations.
Schmitt did not return after being hit by the pitch. Melvin mentioned Schmitt’s X-rays were negative in the postgame interview, but he is likely out for a few days. This takes a toll on the third-base depth for the Giants as Matt Chapman was placed on the IL recently.
That missed opportunity proved costly. In the top of the ninth, Simpson singled and promptly stole his 34th base of the season. Yandy Díaz followed with a sharp RBI single to right, scoring Simpson and giving Tampa Bay its first lead since the opening inning. The Rays finished with 10 hits overall, seven of them coming with runners on base.
The Giants had one last opportunity when Rafael Devers doubled off the wall to begin the bottom half, his lone hit after four earlier strikeouts. But Adames grounded out, Smith advanced the runner with another groundout, and Fitzgerald’s routine pop fly sealed the defeat.
The loss marked San Francisco’s 11th in its past 12 home games, continuing a frustrating skid that has erased momentum gained on the road. Adames homered and reached base twice, but the lineup managed only two hits after the fourth inning. Devers, who had carried the offense in recent series, finished 1-for-5 with four strikeouts.
The victory improved Tampa Bay to 60–63, while San Francisco slipped to 59–63, underscoring its late-inning woes. The series continues Saturday night, with the Giants still searching for answers at home and looking to show any kind of life in the NL wild-card race.
Chongwoo Chang / chongwoo.chang@baynewslab.com
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