Anthony DeSclafani deals, SF Giants offense erupts in 12-3 win over White Sox

In the SF Giants most impressive performance of the season, the lineup erupted for seven home runs and Anthony DeSclafani was in top form against the White Sox.

The SF Giants improved to 2-2 on the young season with a 12-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox in the Sox home opener. The Giants looked like a well-oiled machine on Monday afternoon, hitting seven home runs alongside an excellent outing from starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani.

Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports / Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

In his first time on the mound since June of last year, DeSclafani looked sharp in his first regular-season appearance since missing more of last season with an ankle injury. In his return, he struck out 4, allowing 3 hits and zero walks over six shutout innings.

Bolstered by DeSclafani's strong start against some veritable talent, the Giants brought the power starting in the second inning. Today was a big show. In the bottom of the second inning, Joc Pederson got the scoring started with a 432-foot home run, his second of the season.

Who else but @yungjoc650 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/Y46hJPiPCK

— SFGiants (@SFGiants) April 3, 2023

Minutes later, in the same inning, White Sox starter Michael Kopech walked Mike Yastrzemski and Blake Sabol, giving veteran catcher Robert Pérez a chance to drive Yaz in. Pérez capitalized with an RBI single.

Kopech struggled again in the third inning, allowing a bunt single to Thairo Estrada and a near-second home run for Pederson. Luckily for Kopech, White Sox center fielder Luis Robert  Jr. jumped over the center field wall to rob Pederson of his second homer of the day.

Luis ROBert Jr. is a daily highlight reel. pic.twitter.com/0qo7bXkXl8

— MLB (@MLB) April 3, 2023

The White Sox' efforts to limit damage in the third were short-lived though, as Estrada stole second, getting in scoring position for Yastrzemski to double him home. But the fifth inning is where it all fell apart for Kopech. Despite a career 3.64 ERA, he would allow four home runs, nearly in a row, before being relieved by Jake Diekman.

Four homers in an inning is a feat the franchise hasn't accomplished since 2011, when they were in what we now fondly remember as their dynasty years. Today, Michael Conforto, Estrada, Yastrzemski, and David Villar each recorded their first home runs of the season and were the first duos in franchise history to record back-to-back home runs in the same inning.

IT IS OUT OF HERE X 4! pic.twitter.com/9zraGD6mzd

— MLB (@MLB) April 3, 2023

In contrast to Kopech, Anthony DeSclafani had one of his best outings in years, going six scoreless innings before being relieved by Giants off-season signing Sean Manaea. Owing to his injury in 2022, DeSclafani was on a 75-pitch limit. Many Giants fans had serious reservations about DeSclafani going into 2023, wondering what his performance would look like after missing him for nearly a calendar year. But if his first outing of the season was a sign of things to come, DeSclafani looked nearly identical to his 2021-form when he was a key piece of the Giants' rotation.

Manaea flashed some surprising velocity, reaching 97 mph, out of the bullpen, but struggled with command and allowed three runs on two hits, two walks, and a homer.

With the White Sox on the scoreboard, the Giants kept their home run-hitting ways going. San Francisco loaded the bases in the ninth innings against White Sox reliever José Ruiz, setting the table for Villar to record the Giants first multi-home run game of the season. Villar squared up a 2-0 fastball from Ruiz, sending it 410 feet for the Giants first grand slam of the season.

First grand slam of David Villar's career and he made it look easyyy 🥱 pic.twitter.com/LCo1z8je6i

— SFGiants (@SFGiants) April 3, 2023

Two batters later, outfielder Bryce Johnson, who was recalled from the minors on Saturday, lined his first career big-league homer off Ruiz. Johnson has just 20 home runs in over 2,000 career minor-league plate appearances. He now has as many career big-league homers as Duane Kuiper.

Show some love for @BryceJohnsonSF on his first big league home run 🧡 pic.twitter.com/fvfjAPzdGU

— SFGiants (@SFGiants) April 3, 2023

With a 12-3 lead, Giants manager Gabe Kapler turned to submariner Tyler Rogers, who finished things out with a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

The SF Giants and White Sox will enjoy a day off tomorrow, before game two of the series at 11:10 AM Pacific on Wednesday. Aces Logan Webb and Dylan Cease are scheduled to face off.