San Francisco – The Giants got off to a strong start in the series, taking Game 1 against the Athletics. What was once known as the Battle of the Bay Series still carries plenty of nostalgia, as a sellout crowd filled the ballpark wearing both A’s and Giants gear.
Jung Hoo Lee blasted his fifth home run of the season to help lead San Francisco to a 3-1 victory over the Athletics.
The Giants bats came alive in the second inning. Lee opened the scoring with a solo shot to center field, giving San Francisco a 1-0 lead. Willy Adames then reached second when his fly ball dropped into left field. Matt Chapman followed with an RBI single that scored Adames and extended the Giants lead to 2-0. Chapman attempted to stretch the hit into a double but was thrown out at second base on a relay from Tyler Soderstrom to second baseman Zack Gelof. Drew Gilbert later flew out to end the inning.
The A’s responded in the top of the third, cutting the Giants lead in half. Colby Thomas reached second safely after a misplayed fly ball in right field. Max Muncy followed with a ground-ball single, allowing Thomas to score and make it a 2-1 game. Muncy later stole second base but was picked off to end the threat.
San Francisco had another scoring opportunity later in the game. Lee singled to reach first safely, and Adames followed with a base hit to right field that dropped in front of two Athletics outfielders. With one out and two runners on, Gilbert was hit by a pitch to load the bases. However, Daniel Susac struck out swinging to end the inning, leaving three Giants stranded.
A frightening moment unfolded in the sixth inning when Lee was involved in a hard collision at second base. After drawing a leadoff walk, Lee stole second but collided with Jeff McNeil on the play. McNeil’s arm appeared to wrap around Lee’s neck, sending the Giants outfielder crashing to the ground. Lee remained down for several moments as trainers and teammates looked on with concern, but he eventually got to his feet and remained in the game.
The Giants capitalized on the momentum moments later. Rafael Devers continued to fuel San Francisco’s offense with a clutch RBI single up the middle, extending the Giants’ lead to 3-1. Bryce Eldridge reached base on a walk and advanced when Casey Schmitt followed with a single. Devers then delivered the key hit that sent Eldridge racing home. The umpire ruled Eldridge safe at the plate, igniting the sellout crowd and giving the Giants a two-run advantage.
With the victory, the Giants took Game 1 of the series and continued their strong play in front of a sold-out Oracle Park crowd. Behind Jung Hoo Lee’s power at the plate, timely hitting from Rafael Devers, and a solid effort on the mound, San Francisco secured a 3-1 win over the Athletics and will look to carry that momentum into the next game of the series.
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