Ramos Runs Rangers Ragged

Apr 28, 2025 | 2025 Season, Latest Post

by
Greek Giant

Yesterday’s series-winning 3-2 victory over the Rangers at Willie Mays Field was memorable for its defense, both spectacular and hideous. The Giants won their second straight walk-off thanks to two errors on the same play, allowing Heliot Ramos to touch them all after he hit a dribbler to the Rangers relief pitcher Luke Jackson to leadoff the bottom of the ninth inning with the score tied 2-2. The play ended up becoming a Little League homer, if you will. Comical it was as Jackson’s throw sailed way, way past the first baseman. Ramos trotted into second and was content to stop there but Matt Williams, The Giants third base coach, along with 40,000 Giant fans, were urging him to continue to third, which he did. The ensuing throw sailed way, way past the Rangers third baseman, allowing Ramos to score the game and series-winning run. It was both joy and comic relief.

Rangers right fielder Aroldis Garcia made a scintillating play snaring a ball that was meant to be a triple, tumbling and then doubling off Heliot Ramos on first with a rocket throw. It was one of the best plays you will ever see an outfielder make. That ball was hit by LaMonte Wade Jr, who has had tough luck this year with many hard hit balls hit at people. He was victimized in the bottom of the first as well when with two outs, the bases loaded and runners on second and third, he lined out straight into Marcus Semien’s glove.

That’s baseball.

The Rangers and Giants played a tense three-game series in which a total of 12 runs were scored, with six being plated by each team. When teams are evenly-matched a game and a series can turn on one play or one pitch, as happened yesterday. In the game the Giants had five hits against the Rangers’ ten knocks. But the difference in the game was that wild bottom of the ninth. Both starting pitchers were effective after first inning jitters. The Rangers’ Jack Leiter walked in a run and then settled down to look dominant. He has a bright future with his slick fastball and biting slider. His Manager, Bruce Bochy, yanked him in the top of the fourth inning after the young hurler threw 76 pitches. It seemed premature but I guess that’s baseball these days, with protecting young arms and all.

For his part, Jordan Hicks was very good as well. The Rangers scored two on a bloop single and could have scored more. The Giants too, did not maximize their opportunities and that was the theme of the game, after exciting defense. Lee threw out a runner at second. The Rangers starting third baseman, Josh Jung, made some superb plays, as did Matt Chapman. Hayden Birdsong relieved

Hicks would pitch five innings allowing only those two runs, on seven hits, three strikeouts and no walks, an important stat for him. He was relieved by who pitched three shutout innings and managed to get many swings at bad pitches off his change-up. He recorded five strikeouts and lowered his ERA to 1.03. As much as I want to see Hayden start, there is no denying he is thriving in his role as birdge-man in the middle innings.

Camilo Doval pitched a perfect and dominant ninth and that was that until the magical run thrown in. The Giants are now 19-10 and one-half game against their rivals in the Southland. Not bad for a team that is not yet firing on all cylinders offensively. At this stage of the season I would say the Giants overall defense and bullpen have been the difference-makers, with honorable mentions to Logan Webb and Robbie Ray.

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