Offense stays hot in win over Athletics – NBC Sports Bay Area & California

BOX SCORE

SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants ended up with a disappointing record during their two easiest weeks of the season, but they at least found a way to salvage the final few days and make sure they return home on the right track. 

Willy Adames drove in three runs and Luis Matos had a back-breaking two-run double to lead the Giants to a 6-2 win and a series victory at Sutter Health Park. They won five of six against the Athletics this season, and left town back at seven games above .500.

The Giants took the final two games in Arizona and then two of three in Sacramento, finishing with a 5-5 record on their 10-game trip. They went 5-8 during a two-week stretch against teams below .500, and the road ahead gets much tougher. The first-place Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers arrive for the final homestand of the first half, but the Giants are at least playing cleaner baseball than they were a few days ago. 

“I’m Back.”

The Giants weren’t thrilled about having to play a late Sunday game, leading to a bus ride back to San Francisco at the very end of a holiday weekend. But Adames might want to stay in Sacramento for a few more days. With two bases-loaded walks and a solo homer, Adames became the first Giants shortstop since the legendary Rich Aurilia to have back-to-back games with three or more RBI. 

Adames took better swings for most of June, but the results still weren’t there. In July, he has fully turned a corner. He has reached base 14 times in six games with two homers and nine RBI. Adames’ OPS is up to a season-high .683. 

Whatever Works

Hayden Birdsong sprayed his four-seamer all night and walked five. But he was, as they say, effectively wild. 

Birdsong gave up just one run, repeatedly working his way out of self-inflicted jams. He threw 46 strikes and 44 balls, so in a lot of ways the outing fit right in with his previous ones, but he was able to get strikeouts when he needed them. Birdsong struck out six — including four straight at one point — and got out of the fifth with a double play after giving up a single and walk. 

Birdsong has 23 walks in 42 1/3 innings as a starter this season. He has walked at least four in each of his past three starts. 

Circle of Trust

Spencer Bivens has jumped past Ryan Walker on the bullpen’s depth chart and he continues to show that he’s ready for more responsibility. Bivens came on in the sixth with the Giants leading by four and had a quick inning, striking out one and getting a groundout and flyout. 

The right-hander lowered his ERA to 3.09, and he has five strikeouts and just one hit allowed over his last three appearances. He was followed Sunday by All-Star Randy Rodriguez, who lowered his ERA to 0.69. Tyler Rogers and Camilo Doval closed out the win. 

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