© D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports
SAN FRANCISCO –– On Saturday, the San Francisco Giants looked to avenge the 5-2 defeat at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday. After an emotional opening day ceremony held for manager Bruce Bochy on Friday, the Giants got back to baseball.
In an encouraging bounce-back performance with the overcast sky looking down, the Giants defeated the Rays 6-4 with starter Jeff Samardzija earning a no-decision after allowing three runs in four and two/thirds innings, and rookie reliever Travis Bergen earning his first win on the season. Samardzija’s ERA moved to 2.79, and losing pitcher Ryan Yarbrough’s ERA rose to 6.14.
Despite what most would consider an offensive outburst from the Giants, the game started slowly. After a first-inning RBI double by Ray first-baseman Ji-Man Choi, Samardzija settled in, finishing the inning and producing three more clean innings.
After cruising through the first two innings, Rays starter Ryne Stanek was pulled, and with a new face on the mound in Jalen Beeks, the Giants could smell blood in the water.
Kevin Pillar shot right out of the gates, leading off the third inning with a drag-bunt up the first-base line, and proceeded to steal second and third, thanks to a throwing error from Rays catcher Mike Zunino. After a Joe Panik walk and a sacrifice bunt from Samardzija, Steven Duggar popped out just deep enough for a sacrifice fly, bringing Pillar home. Brandon Belt also wanted to join the party, and sent a shot into right field, driving home Panik and giving the Giants a 2-1 lead.
In the fifth inning, however, the Rays would respond. After three singles from Daniel Robertson, Willy Adames, and Austin Meadows, left-fielder Tommy Pham sent a ball into center field, recording a sacrifice fly and tying the ballgame at two-a-piece. Pham’s RBI would be followed with another, with Ji-Man Choi recording another RBI, driving in Adames with his single to left and giving the Rays a 3-2 lead.
San Francisco would not be outdone on this Saturday, however, and they answered quickly.
With a Panik walk from Rays pitcher Ryan Yarbrough and a timely Connor Joe bloop-single – the first of his major league career – it was time for Duggar to make a something happen, and he delivered. He doubled to drive both Panik and Joe home, and the Giants regained their lead at 4-3.
The next at-bat, on a 2-1 count, Belt towered a sinker into deep left center field. Outfielder Tommy Pham looked to make a play, but the ball sailed over the fence just barely into the hands of a lucky bleacher-goer, and the Giants bolstered their lead to a commanding 6-3 score.
The Rays did attempt to mount a comeback in the sixth inning with a Mike Zunino RBI single to left, but with dominant performances from Tony Watson and Reyes Moronta out of the bullpen, it was up to closer Will Smith to seal the deal, and he did.
Allowing only one hit in the ninth, Smith shut the door on the Rays – even with a white-knuckle warning-track fly to record the final out – and recorded his third save on the season. The Giants tack on their third win of the year and hand the Rays their third loss, evening this three game series at one heading into Sunday.
The postgame press conference was delayed, likely, according to Kerry Crowley, due to an appreciation for Bergen’s first career win, and Joe’s first career hit:
We may not hear from manager Bruce Bochy for a bit. Connor Joe and Travis Bergen are likely getting beer showers.
— Kerry Crowley (@KO_Crowley) April 6, 2019
The Giants confirmed such was the case after the game:
The team now sits at 3-6, and Drew Pomeranz will be on the bump for Sunday’s game.