LaMonte Wade blasts splash hit #100, but SF Giants fall to Orioles 3-2
The SF Giants fell to the Baltimore Orioles 3-2 on Friday night. While Giants ace Logan Webb delivered a solid outing and emerging star first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. made history, San Francisco's offense remained in its recent funk.
SF Giants pitcher Logan Webb delivers a pitch against the Orioles on June 2, 2023.
Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
Webb retired the Orioles quickly in the top of the first inning, setting the stage for Wade to blast a lead-off home run. Wade squared up a fastball on the inner third from Orioles starter Dean Kremer, blasting it 385' down the right-field line just inside the foul pole. The ball sailed into McCovey Cove for the Giants' 100th splash hit in Oracle Park's history.
The Giants lead was shortlived, however, after Webb allowed Baltimore to take a 2-1 lead in the top of the second inning. Orioles left fielder Austin Hays lined a leadoff double to center field before Webb walked Aaron Hicks to put a pair of runners on base. Ryan O'Hearn singled in Hays before a swinging bunt infield single by Jorge Mateo with two outs allowed Hicks to score.
San Francisco evened things up in the bottom of the third inning thanks to a rally-sparking double by Brett Wisely (Giants #22 prospect). Wisely was thrown out trying to score on a single by J.D. Davis, but Davis scored on a double by Mike Yastrzemski. Wisely misread the ball on Davis' single, stepping back toward second base before realizing the ball would drop. That mistake cost the Giants a run and the game.
Webb did not allow a hit or walk from the third inning through the sixth (a catcher's interference by Bailey gave the O's their only baserunner during that stretch), but Gunnar Henderson jumped on a hanging changeup in the top of the seventh for a solo home run that gave the Orioles a 3-2 lead. Webb gave up another deep fly ball to Aaron Hicks later in the inning but Wisely made an exquisite (albeit unusual) catch. Wisely beat the ball to the wall and reached up to make the catch without jumping. Webb finished his outing with six strikeouts in seven innings pitched, allowing three earned runs on four hits, a walk, and a home run.
Outside of the first and third-inning rallies, the Giants offense was unable to force Kremer into any high-stress situations. Kremer ultimately struck out six across six innings pitched on five hits, two walks, and a home run.
Giants relievers Tyler Rogers and John Brebbia did not allow a runner to reach base in each of their innings of work, keeping the Orioles from extending their lead. However, the run proved too much to overcome.
The Giants best opportunity came in the bottom of the eighth against O's setup man Yennier Cano. Wilmer Flores, who Giants manager Gabe Kapler deployed as a pinch-hitter for Wisely, worked a lead-off and advanced to second on a fielder's choice by Wade. Cano hit Davis with a pitch to put runners on first and second with one out for the middle of the Giants lineup, but Yastrzemski lined a ground ball right to second baseman Adam Frazier for an inning-ending double play.
Casey Schmitt (Giants #3 prospect) gave the Giants hope in the bottom of the ninth against O's closer Felix Bautista, lining a two-out double to left field to bring the winning run to the plate. Michael Conforto pinch hit for catcher Patrick Bailey (Giants #21 prospect). Conforto, who is still dealing with a heel injury, though, struck out to end the game.
After falling to 28-29 on Friday, the SF Giants series against the Orioles continues on Saturday at Oracle Park. Giants righty Alex Cobb will get the start against Kyle Bradish. While Cobb has arguably been the most underrated pitcher in MLB, Bradish has been solid in his second big-league season (3.90 ERA across nine starts). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM Pacific.
