Austin Slater, Patrick Bailey homer in SF Giants 14-4 win over Pirates
The SF Giants defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 14-4 on Monday afternoon, improving to 28-26 on the season and continuing the team's scorching hot May. After taking three out of four from the Brewers on the road, San Francisco returned to Oracle Park with a victory.
SF Giants catcher Patrick Bailey celebrates in the dugout after scoring a run on May 29, 2023.
Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
The Giants did not wait long to get rolling offensively. Catcher Patrick Bailey (Giants #21 prospect) lined a two-RBI double in the second inning to give San Francisco a 2-0 lead. A few batters later, Austin Slater extended the Giants lead to 5-0 with a two-run homer in his first game back from the injured list.
The Giants finished the day with 14 runs on 18 hits, including five doubles and a pair of home runs. Slater finished 3-for-6 with his early blast, and Bailey (who turned 24 on Monday) celebrated his birthday with a 3-for-5 performance that he capped off with a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh. Veteran shortstop Brandon Crawford had one of his best games of the season as well, recording a hit or walk in all of his trips to the plate, including a double.
The Pirates' offense was incredibly aggressive at the plate, leading to a rare three-pitch inning for Giants starter Anthony DeSclafani. DeSclafani was not overpowering on Monday afternoon, but San Francisco did not need him to be. Despite striking out just two batters across seven innings of work, the veteran allowed just three runs on eight hits without a walk. He also only needed 74 pitches.
With a big lead, Giants manager Gabe Kapler turned to veteran lefty Taylor Rogers for a shutout inning of work in the eighth before infielder Brett Wisely (Giants #22 prospect) took the mound in the ninth, where he retired three of the four hitters he faced, although he allowed a home run to Jack Suwinski.
Both teams will face off again on Tuesday back at Oracle Park. The SF Giants have not announced their starting pitcher yet, but whoever gets the nod will face off against Pirates righty Johan Oviedo. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 PM Pacific.
