Giants edge Phillies for a complete 3-game sweep
The San Francisco Giants’ Thairo Estrada runs to home base on a Wilmer Flores two-run single against the Philadelphia Phillies during the eight inning. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to The Chronicle)
2023.05.17 – Thairo Estrada hit a tie-breaking RBI single as part of a three-run eighth inning and the San Francisco Giants beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-4 Wednesday to complete a three-game sweep.
Wilmer Flores and Casey Schmitt each had two-run singles, and Blake Sabol and Brandon Crawford also drove in runs as the Giants won their seventh straight game against the Phillies.
“We have a really good offense and it’s just really fun to be a part of it,” Schmitt said. “Everyone’s hitting the ball really hard and it’s just really cool to be able to get those runs going.”
Bryson Stott homered for Philadelphia, which lost its fourth in a row.
With the game tied at 4, J.D. Davis and Mitch Haniger began the eighth inning with pinch-hit singles. Joey Bart followed with a bunt single to load the bases. After Gregory Soto (1-3) retired LaMonte Wade Jr., Estrada looped a single to shallow center field, scoring the go-ahead run. Flores added a two-run single to make it 7-4.
“If I take a good at-bat, it’s a win,” Flores said. “I’ve been feeling good, it’s just that the results aren’t always there.”
2023.05.17 (SF Giants vs. Philadelphia Phillies ) See Full Highlights
Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Bryce Harper slides into third base ahead of the throw to Giants third baseman Casey Schmitt on a double steal during the fourth inning. D. Ross Cameron/Special to The Chronicle
2023.05.17 (SF Giants vs. Philadelphia Phillies) See Full Highlights
2023.05.17 (SF Giants vs. Philadelphia Phillies ) See Full Highlights
“I think we’ve done a nice job of stringing good at-bats together,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said.
The Phillies loaded the bases with two outs in the ninth, but Camilo Doval struck out Trea Turner swinging to record his third straight save in the series and the Giants’ seventh consecutive home win over Philadelphia.
“I just want to be sure that whenever there is a save opportunity, I want to be ready,” Doval said with Erwin Higueros interpreting. “I just told the manager, ‘I feel real good. If you need me, call my name,’ ” Doval said.
Added Kapler: “Camilo wanted this opportunity today. … We were even prepared to use him in a tie-game situation. But the save, it was clear. He’s earned that right and we trust him.”
John Brebbia (2-0) pitched a scoreless eighth inning as the San Francisco bullpen combined to allow one run in 5 2/3 innings for the second straight day.
The bullpen, which entered the series with the NL’s worst ERA, saw a lot of action and was nails, working 15⅔ innings and allowing nine hits, four walks and three runs while striking out 20.
“The thing about this bullpen is it seems like they’re all always available,” Flores said. “They’re always ready to go.”
If the Giants can rely more on the relief staff and up their clutch hitting, they could find themselves regularly winning series. San Francisco entered the game batting .228 with a .295 on-base percentage with runners in scoring position and two outs, compared to .277/.357 for their opponents.
2023.05.17 – Giants vs. Phillies (Locked On Giants)
The Giants’ Wilmer Flores connects for a two-run single against the Philadelphia Phillies during the eight inning. (D. Ross Cameron/Special to The Chronicle)
2023.05.17 – Giants vs. Phillies (Locked On Giants)
2023.05.17 – Giants vs. Phillies (Locked On Giants)
“I think we’ve done a nice job of stringing good at-bats together,” Kapler said. “I think some times the bats show up in those two-out situations and we get big hits and we can go through some droughts as well. I just don’t think it’s about the approach changing; I think our guys are the same every time they walk up to the plate in terms of their approach.
Flores agreed, saying he keeps things simple, just making sure he knows what the pitcher throws, how he might be approaching Flores, and what pitch he’s looking for. “I just take it as another at-bat,” he said. “It’s just swinging at the right pitches. It always is.”
The Giants chased Phillies starter Taijuan Walker in the first inning, tagging him for four runs in two-thirds of an inning. Schmitt had a two-run single, and Sabol and Crawford added RBI singles, all coming with two outs.
“I just got two strikes, had two outs, and with two outs I just couldn’t put them away,” Walker said.
Philadelphia responded with three runs in the fourth off Ross Stripling, who exited with low back tightness after pitching 3 1/3 innings.
“His command hasn’t been where he’s wanted it to be so far this season, hasn’t found his groove yet,” Kapler said of Stripling, “but we’re still very confident that he will, because that’s what his track record suggests.”
Kapler said that he believes both Stripling and Sean Manaea are heading in the right direction and that Wednesday was a good step forward for both.
J.T. Realmuto hit a two-run double and Alec Bohm followed with a sacrifice fly to cut the lead to 4-3.
2023.05.17 – Giants vs. Phillies (KRUEGER Show post-game)
The Giants’ Casey Schmitt connects for a two-run single against the Philadelphia Phillies during the first inning. D. Ross Cameron/Special to The Chronicle
2023.05.17 – Giants vs. Phillies (KRUEGER Show post-game)
2023.05.17 – Giants vs. Phillies (KRUEGER Show post-game)
Stott tied the game with a solo homer to right in the fifth.
“I loved the fight in the guys,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “We got the winning run to the plate in the ninth after giving up three in the bottom of the eighth. They keep fighting. I’m proud of them for that.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Phillies: LHP José Alvarado (left elbow inflammation) threw from 60 feet on Tuesday and Wednesday. He will likely need a rehab assignment before returning.
UP NEXT
Phillies: LHP Ranger Suárez (0-0, 6.75 ERA) makes his second start of the year Friday when Philadelphia begins a three-game home series against the Cubs.
Giants: RHP Anthony DeSclafani (3-3, 3.06) opens a three-game home series against the Marlins on Friday night.
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