Harrison Bader connected against Walker Buehler for San Francisco’s first home run this season as the Giants held off the San Diego Padres, 3-2. The victory on Monday night gave rookie manager Tony Vitello his first win.
Giants Overcome Opening Series Struggles
Vitello, hired from the University of Tennessee, and the Giants had a difficult opening series. They were outscored 13-1 by the New York Yankees in a three-game sweep.
The Giants matched a franchise record on Saturday by reaching 20 innings without scoring to begin the season before finally getting a run in the third inning of a 3-1 loss.
San Francisco were also the only team without a home run this year until Bader’s drive.
Bader’s Blast and Timely Hits
Bader drove a 1-2 pitch from Buehler off the facade of the second deck in left field leading off the third.
San Francisco added to their lead with consecutive RBI singles with two outs in the fourth. Patrick Bailey and Casey Schmitt both contributed.
Padres Pitching and Late Rally
Buehler allowed three runs and five hits over four innings in his Padres debut.
Ryan Walker was one strike from closing a two-hit shutout when he allowed a two-run homer to Jackson Merrill. Walker then got Xander Bogaerts to ground out to finish the combined three-hitter for a save.
Starting Pitchers Scheduled
Giants RHP Logan Webb and Padres RHP Germán Márquez are scheduled to start Tuesday night. It will be Márquez’s debut with San Diego.