J.D. Davis, Wilmer Flores homer in SF Giants 6-4 victory over Brewers
In their first game at Oracle Park after a difficult road trip to Mexico City and Houston, the SF Giants defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 6-4. In front of more than 28,000 fans on Friday night, the Giants got a solid outing from Sean Manaea and an excellent performance from their bullpen. The Giants improved to 14-17 on the season and are above .500 at home for the first time this year (8-7).
SF Giants starting pitcher Sean Manaea throws against the Milwaukee Brewers on May 5, 2023.
John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Manaea continued showing improved velocity from previous points in his career but also remained unable to put it all together and reach his elite potential. William Contreras, Owen Miller, and Willy Adames led off the game with three straight hits against Manaea. All three were hit hard, with exit velocities north of 100 mph. Contreras and Miller scored, giving the Brewers an early 2-0 lead.
Facing off against Brewers ace Corbin Burnes, Giants first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. remained an on-base machine with a lead-off walk. Two batters later, he came around to score on an opposite-field home run by J.D. Davis. It was Davis' team-leading seventh home run of the season. He is now on pace to hit 37 on the season. No Giants player has hit at least 30 homers in a season since Barry Bonds blasted 45 back in 2004.
After their rocky first innings, both starters found a rhythm and matched zeros for the next three innings before Manaea allowed a pair of singles to the Brewers' eighth and ninth-place hitters to start off the fifth. A double steal put runners on second and third with nobody out for the top of Milwaukee's order.
Manaea struck out Contreras and got ahead of Miller 1-2, before a throw by catcher Joey Bart on a backpack attempt at third base sailed into left field and allowed the runners to advance. Miller flew out to center field for a sacrifice fly. Rather than a 3-2 deficit, Bart's error helped the Brewers take a 4-2 lead.
Brett Wisely (Giants #22 prospect) started a Giants rally in the bottom half of the fifth with a one-out single, advancing to scoring position on his second stolen base of the day. A throwing error by Brewers shortstop Willy Adames allowed recent call-up Cal Stevenson to reach base and gave San Francisco a one-out, runners on second and third rally of their own.
Burnes struck out Wade on a bad called strike call, but an infield single by Thairo Estrada (that probably should have been a fielding error on Burnes) allowed a run to score and the inning to continue. Davis worked a two-out walk to load the bases for Joc Pederson. Pederson snuck a hard-hit grounder just beyond the outstretched glove of Miller for a two-RBI single.
With a 5-4 Giants lead, manager Gabe Kapler turned to his bullpen. Manaea finished the day with six strikeouts across five innings pitched with four runs (three earned) on six hits and two walks. John Brebbia got the call and struck out a pair in a perfect sixth inning.
Burnes lasted one more inning before he was relieved at the start of the seventh. While he allowed five runs across his six innings of work, only two were charged to his ERA.
Tyler Rogers did not allow a baserunner in the seventh inning, benefiting from a diving catch by left fielder Mitch Haniger. Rather than turning to a different setup option, Kapler rolled with Rogers again in the eighth, and he worked around a one-out single to retire the side.
Wilmer Flores hit a pinch-hit solo homer off Hoby Milner in the bottom of the eighth to give the Giants an added insurance run. It was Flores' sixth blast of the season and San Francisco's first pinch-hit homer of the year.
With a two-run lead, closer Camilo Doval cruised through the top of the ninth, working around a two-out walk to record his sixth save of the season. The Giants bullpen did not allow a runner to reach scoring position across their four innings of work.
The SF Giants will look to extend their three-game winning streak tomorrow afternoon. Alex Cobb is scheduled to make the start against Brewers righty Colin Rea. First pitch is scheduled for 4:15 PM Pacific.
