For San Francisco Giants fans searching for a bright spot after a 13-3 blowout loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night at Oracle Park, one emerged in rookie Bryce Eldridge.
Eldridge, a highly touted prospect in manager Tony Vitello’s lineup, launched his first major league home run—a solo shot in the bottom of the fifth inning—that pulled San Francisco within 2-1 at that moment.
Then the Giants’ bullpen unraveled.
Pittsburgh’s hitters seemed to gain confidence as they stepped into the batter’s box. The Pirates added two runs in both the fifth and sixth innings before erupting for six runs in the seventh. They capped the night with a three-run ninth inning.
Landen Roupp Takes the Loss for San Francisco
Giants starter Landen Roupp was charged with the loss, dropping to 5-3 this season. Roupp worked four innings, allowing three hits and one earned run while walking three and striking out eight Pirates batters.
Relievers Ryan Borucki, Ryan Walker, JT Brubaker, Gregory Santos, and Christian Koss all gave up runs. Brubaker allowed four runs (three earned), Santos surrendered two runs (none earned), and Koss yielded three earned runs.
It was a rough evening for Giants pitching after Roupp exited the game.
Pirates starter Braxton Ashcraft tossed seven innings to earn the win, improving to 2-2 this season. Reliever Cam Sanders, the third pitcher used by Pittsburgh manager Don Kelly, allowed two earned runs out of the bullpen.
Heliot Ramos went 2-for-3 with a run scored to lead the Giants offensively. Jung Hoo Lee, Luis Arraez, Eldridge, Drew Gilbert, and Eric Haase collected the other hits for San Francisco. Haase started behind the plate after the team traded two-time Gold Glove catcher Patrick Bailey to the Cleveland Guardians earlier Saturday.
Pirates’ Bats Come Alive
Pirates third baseman Nick Gonzales went 4-for-6 with a run scored, while Oneil Cruz finished 3-for-6 and scored three times. Catcher Joey Bart had a 4-for-5 night with two RBIs and three runs.
Pittsburgh had plenty of chances to add more. They went 10-for-22 with runners in scoring position and left 11 men on base. The Buccos also collected 20 hits against Giants pitching.
Yes, Giants fans, it could have been much worse.
San Francisco, meanwhile, went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position and stranded seven base runners.
After Saturday’s defeat, the Giants fell to 15-24, sitting in fifth place in the National League West. The Pirates improved to 22-18, placing them fourth in the National League East.
Logan Webb Placed on Injured List
In addition to the Bailey trade earlier Saturday, more news emerged from the Giants camp.
Starting pitcher Logan Webb was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to Wednesday, due to right knee bursitis. With Webb sidelined, he will miss his next start—the first time he has been out of the rotation in five years.
In corresponding moves, the Giants called up pitcher Trevor McDonald from Triple-A Sacramento. Another Sacramento teammate also joined the Giants: catcher Logan Porter had his contract purchased.
Vitello told Giants beat reporter Maria Guardado of MLB.com that convincing Webb to take time off wasn’t easy.
“He fought that pretty good,” Vitello said. “He fights anything good as it relates to him being out there and posting.”
Up Next
The Giants and Pirates conclude their three-game series on Sunday.