Giants hit 7 homer in romp over White Sox
San Francisco Giants’ David Villar #32 celebrates with teammates after hitting a grand slam during the 9th inning of the Chicago White Sox season home opening baseball game in Chicago, Monday, April 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
2023.04.03 – David Villar hit two of San Francisco’s seven home runs, Anthony DeSclafani tossed six scoreless innings and the Giants romped the Chicago White Sox 12-3 on Monday.
The Giants were looking for a spark from their offense. And did they ever get one!
“I think it was just continuing to get our ‘A’ swings off,” Villar said. “The important thing for us is continuing to get those really good swings off and not being hesitant about making them. If we’re going to make a swing, let’s make it with intent. I think that really showed today, one through nine.”
Villar hit a solo homer in the fifth and his first career grand slam in the ninth. Joc Pederson, Michael Conforto, Thairo Estrada, Mike Yastrzemski and Bryce Johnson also went deep for San Francisco, which hit its most home runs since July 2, 2002, at Colorado. The team record is eight at Milwaukee on April 30, 1961, when Willie Mays hit four.
The Giants broke out in a big way after being shut out twice while losing two of three in their opening series at the New York Yankees. They went deep five times against starter Michael Kopech and spoiled Chicago’s first home game under manager Pedro Grifol.
2023.04.03 (SF Giants @ CHI White Sox) See video Highlights
San Francisco Giants’ David Villar smiles as he celebrates with teammates after hitting a grand slam during the 9th inning of the Chicago White Sox season home opening baseball game in Chicago, Monday, April 3, 2023. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
2023.04.03 (SF Giants @ CHI White Sox) See video Highlights
2023.04.03 (SF Giants @ CHI White Sox) See video Highlights
Pederson got the home run derby going when he connected leading off a two-run second. He was also robbed of a two-run drive in the third by center fielder Luis Robert Jr.
The Giants hit four more homers in the fifth, the first time they hit four in an inning since Sept. 18, 2011, at Colorado. Conforto and Estrada went back to back with one out, and so did Yastrzemski and Villar with two down, extending the lead to 7-0.
Johnson finished the home run parade with the first of his career — a solo drive in the ninth. He said he got doused in the clubhouse with “ketchup, mustard, everything you could possibly put on a pancake.”
DeSclafani picked up his first win since Oct. 1, 2021. The 32-year-old right-hander was limited to five starts last season because of a right ankle injury. But he felt like he was showing more of the form that made him a 13-game winner in 2021 during spring training.
“It sure feels good to throw a good game, especially after last year and dealing with what I did,” he said. “Good for Game 1.”
KOPECH STRUGGLES
The five home runs allowed by Kopech tied a franchise record. The 26-year-old right-hander got tagged for seven runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings.
Andrew Vaughn hit an RBI double in a two-run seventh. Robert added a solo shot in the eighth for his second homer in as many days. But it was a rough home opener for the White Sox after they split four games at defending World Series champion Houston.
“I think with the way the team started in Houston, the fans can look at that and have some excitement,” Kopech said. “On a personal level, for this being my first start, it’s a tough one to swallow.”
2023.04.03 – Giants @ White Sox GM1 (NBC SPORTS post game)
Right-hander Anthony DeSclafani went six innings Monday against the Chicago White Sox, his longest start since September 2021. Quinn Harris/Getty Images
2023.04.03 – Giants @ White Sox GM1 (NBC SPORTS post game)
2023.04.03 – Giants @ White Sox GM1 (NBC SPORTS post game)
Impressive as all that power was, the most important element was DeSclafani’s return to his first-half 2021 form. In his first start since June 26, DeSclafani zipped through six scoreless innings, allowing only three hits, and he even threw in a testy exchange with Cal alum Andrew Vaughn.
“It’s been a while, for sure,” DeSclafani said. “It feels good, especially after last year and dealing with what I did. Good for game one.”
San Francisco thumped five homers off Michael Kopech, and the team’s four in the fifth were the Giants’ most in an inning since Sept. 18, 2011, at Colorado (also four, in the fourth). Just like that, all thoughts of the Giants’ two shutouts in the first three games, their 41 K’s in the series at Yankee Stadium, are gone.
Which story line resonated most with manager Gabe Kapler?
2023.04.03 – Giants @ White Sox GM1 (KRUEGER Show post game)
Outfielder Michael Conforto hits a home run in the fifth inning, his first as a Giant, against the White Sox on Monday in Chicago. Quinn Harris/Getty Images
2023.04.03 – Giants @ White Sox GM1 (KRUEGER Show post game)
2023.04.03 – Giants @ White Sox GM1 (KRUEGER Show post game)
“Do I have to choose one? Both are very encouraging,” he said. “Not surprising, but it couldn’t have gone better for Tony and to see our guys swing the bats the way they did — when you’re looking to drive the ball to the middle of the field, sometimes you’re going to catch it out in front and when you do and get it in the air, those will turn into home runs.”
EARLY START
The start time was moved up an hour because of forecast rain. The White Sox announced the change on Sunday.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Giants: Estrada was lifted for a pinch runner following a walk in the ninth, after fouling a ball off his leg. … OFs Mitch Haniger (strained left oblique) and Austin Slater (strained left hamstring) were to return to San Francisco and resume baseball activities. “With Slates in particular, he’s beginning to feel really good,” Kapler said. “Haniger is just a little bit behind him.”
White Sox: Closer Liam Hendriks was beginning his final round of chemotherapy on Monday. Hendriks, battling non-Hodgkin lymphoma, made the announcement in an eight-second video shown prior to the game. GM Rick Hahn said Hendriks (non-Hodgkin lymphoma) and LHP Garrett Crochet (left elbow surgery) are “progressing,” though the White Sox won’t have a timeline on their returns until they begin rehab assignments. He said the two relievers are on the 15-day injured list rather than the 60-day IL “for a reason.” “We are headed the right away and currently have a very real chance of having them both back prior to 60 days into the year,” Hahn said.
UP NEXT
The three-game series continues Wednesday, with San Francisco’s Logan Webb (0-1, 6.00 ERA) and Dylan Cease (0-0, 1.42) meeting in a matchup between ace right-handers.
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