SF Giants: Bats lead charge in 11-2 victory against the Phillies

The SF Giants capped off a strong week with an 11-2 victory against the Philadelphia Phillies. Sammy Long started the game, pitching six innings of two-run ball against a tough Phillies lineup. In the batter’s box, the Giants hit early and often.

SF Giants: Bats lead charge in 11-2 victory against the Phillies

Despite the strong stretch of play recently, the Giants had often dug themselves into a hole by allowing the opposing team to score in the first inning. On Sunday, Long changed that narrative by getting out of the first inning unscathed.

Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins committed an error on the first play of the game, which allowed LaMonte Wade Jr. to reach base. The Giants have consistently capitalized on mistakes in 2021 and that error cost the Phillies a run as Mike Yastrzemski blasted a home run to right field in the very next at-bat. Wilmer Flores followed with a solo shot of his own, giving the Giants a quick 3-0 advantage.

The Phillies answered with two runs off the bat of J.T. Realmuto in the top of the third inning to cut the Giants’ lead to one run. However, the Giants responded with a two-run shot off the bat of Brandon Crawford to give them a little extra breathing room.

The Giants never looked back as they continued to pile on the runs. Flores looked like his old self at the plate as he registered four hits with three runs and two RBI. Crawford added four RBI to his ledger thanks in part to his two-run blast. Yastrzemski, Donovan Solano, and Steven Duggar each added two hits apiece as well, helping the Giants to score 11 runs.

On the pitcher’s mound, Sammy Long carved up Phillies hitters as he recorded six strikeouts in six innings. He allowed one walk, which eventually came around to score on the Realmuto home run. Home plate umpire Greg Gibson had a noticeably small strike zone that contributed to that walk reaching base.

Zack Littell, James Sherfy, and John Brebbia combined to pitch three scoreless innings without giving up a hit. Littell had hit a rough patch recently and it was encouraging to see him rebound nicely on Sunday. Brebbia appeared in his first game since 2019 as he missed the entire 2020 after undergoing Tommy John surgery. It is always cool to see a pitcher in his first appearance since the surgery because the rehab process is a long one. The good news for Giants fans is that Brebbia looked strong and he will give the bullpen a jolt.

For those keeping score at home, eight of the nine innings were pitched by arms that the Giants signed to minor league deals this past week. They nabbed the win and the series in convincing fashion. San Francisco will not see the Phillies again in the regular season, winning four out of six games in the season series.