Giants Edge Mariners 4-3: Mike Yastrzemski Shines as San Francisco Capitalizes on Blake Snell’s Struggles
Mike Yastrzemski delivered a standout performance on Saturday, leading the San Francisco Giants to a 4-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners. Yastrzemski homered among his three hits, driving in crucial runs that helped the Giants secure the win despite a shaky start from Blake Snell.
Snell, who grew up near Seattle, struggled with his command, walking five batters in the second inning alone, including two with the bases loaded. Overall, Snell issued a season-high six walks, allowing two runs without giving up a hit. He struck out two batters in a perfect third inning before being pulled after throwing 74 pitches, 42 of which were strikes.
“Internally, I just got mad at myself,” Snell said. “They had no hits, so giving up two runs on no hits is pretty bad. I’ve got to do a better job in the moment.”
Despite Snell’s struggles, the Giants’ bullpen stepped up. Spencer Bivens (3-1) provided three efficient innings of scoreless relief, while Ryan Walker handled the ninth inning for his third save. Walker hasn’t allowed an earned run since July 30, a streak that has now spanned 11 appearances.
“He’s unbelievable,” Yastrzemski said of Walker. “He’s our workhorse down there. You can throw him in any role, and he’s going to say yes. He’s gonna do whatever needs to be done for the team, and do it very well. I’m really glad that I don’t have to face him right now.”
The Mariners managed a season-high nine walks but only collected four hits, falling back to .500 (65-65) after their 6-5 victory over the Giants in 10 innings the previous day. The Giants, now 66-65, have been hovering around .500 for most of August.
George Kirby (9-10) started for the Mariners and labored through 4 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on nine hits. He exited after Yastrzemski doubled with two outs, followed by an RBI single from Thairo Estrada, which put the Giants ahead 3-2. Yastrzemski extended the Giants’ lead to 4-2 in the seventh inning with his 10th homer of the season.
“The way things have been going lately with the late innings and the one-run games, it felt like more than just a solo shot,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said. “We gave up one run later, and it wound up being obviously the biggest hit of the game for us.”
The Mariners closed the gap to 4-3 in the seventh inning on a fielder’s-choice grounder by Randy Arozarena, but Camilo Doval, who was recalled before the game from Triple-A Sacramento, came in and got Mitch Haniger to ground out with the bases loaded, preserving the Giants’ lead.
“You’ve got to tip your cap sometimes,” Mariners interim manager Dan Wilson said. “Their bullpen was pretty tough today, a couple guys that went a couple innings. We created some traffic on them, but just weren’t able to get them in.”
Roster Move
The Giants optioned RHP Landen Roupp to Triple-A Sacramento to make room for Doval on the roster
Trainer’s Room
Mariners: Outfielder Victor Robles exited the game in the first inning with a right index finger contusion after being hit by a pitch during a failed bunt attempt. X-rays were negative. Shortstop J.P. Crawford (hand) was scheduled to begin a rehab assignment on Saturday with Triple-A Tacoma.
Up Next
The Giants will send LHP Robbie Ray (3-2, 4.88 ERA) to the mound on Sunday to face his former team. The Mariners will counter with RHP Bryan Woo (5-2, 2.12 ERA).
