Michael Conforto, bullpen lead the SF Giants to 5-0 win over Brewers
The SF Giants returned to .500 on Thursday, defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 5-0 in the first matchup of a four-game series. While Brewers starting pitcher Julio Teheran, who had been signed earlier in the day, held the Giants offense to just one run across five innings pitched, Milwaukee's offense was unable to score a run.
SF Giants lefty Scott Alexander pitches on May 25, 2023 against the Brewers.
Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Left-handed reliever Scott Alexander made the start for Giants manager Gabe Kapler, and former Giants slugger Darin Ruf nearly homered against him in the bottom of the first inning. Ruf blasted a sinker from Alexander to right-center field, but center fielder Mike Yastrzemski tracked the fly ball beautifully, jumping over the wall to rob Ruf of his first home run of the season.
Taylor Rogers took over in the second inning, and struck out three across 1.1 perfect innings of work before he was replaced by long reliever Jakob Junis. Junis allowed two hits and two walks over his 1.1 innings pitched, but struck out four and kept the shutout intact.
With the game tied at zero, the Giants offense finally got on the scoreboard against Teheran in the top of the fifth inning. Shortstop Casey Schmitt (Giants #3 prospect) singled and stole second base, setting up first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. for a two-out RBI single that gave the Giants a 1-0 lead.
That would be all the scoring for either team through most of the game. Junis was replaced by Sean Manaea with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning and the southpaw continued looking dominant in middle relief. He struck out three, once again eclipsing the mid-90s with his fastball, without allowing a base runner in 1.1 innings. Following Manaea, Giants top setup arm Tyler Rogers struck out one without allowing a run in the seventh.
Giants outfielder Michael Conforto gave San Francisco an insurance run in the top of the eighth inning, sparking a four-run rally against Tyson Miller. Conforto started things off with a 424-foot homer, his team-leading 11th of the season (and seventh in his past 14 games). He finished the day 4-for-4 at the plate with a home run, walk, and stolen base.
Yastrzemski and Blake Sabol (Giants #33 prospect) reached base on a single and hit by pitch, respectively, following Conforto's blast, before coming around to score on a double by Schmitt. The next batter, recently called up catcher Patrick Bailey (Giants #21 prospect) brought Schmitt around to score on an RBI double of his own.
The Giants were prepared to use closer Camilo Doval to round out the evening, but the late-game rally allowed Kapler to give his most dominant reliever the night off. So, with a 5-0 lead, the Giants turned to John Brebbia, who pitched the final two innings. In the end, Giants pitchers struck out 13 while surrendering just four hits and two walks across nine shutout innings.
The SF Giants have one of the best records in the National League this month, and continued trending in the right direction on Thursday. Without a day off until next Thursday, though, the Giants will need to get some length from their starting pitchers in the coming days to help rest their relievers. Lefty Alex Wood is scheduled to start tomorrow night, facing off against Brewers righty Freddy Peralta. First pitch is scheduled for 5:10 PM Pacific.
