SAN FRANCISCO – Hayden Birdsong delivered a stellar performance in his first start of the season, guiding the San Francisco Giants to a 3-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night.
Birdsong (2-0), recently shifted from the bullpen to the starting rotation in place of Jordan Hicks, proved to be exactly what manager Bob Melvin envisioned. He pitched five sharp innings, allowing just one unearned run on five hits with no walks, contributing significantly to the Giants’ fourth win in their last five outings. Ryan Walker closed out the game, securing his ninth save of the season in 11 opportunities.
The Giants’ offense got rolling in the fourth inning when Willy Adames ripped an RBI triple off Royals starter Michael Lorenzen (3-5) and then scored on a single by Casey Schmitt, giving San Francisco a 2-1 lead. Lorenzen, who allowed three runs (two earned) and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings, had his shortest start of the season for Kansas City.
The Royals had initially taken the lead in the third with a sacrifice fly from Kyle Isbel. Bobby Witt Jr. added another run for Kansas City in the eighth with a run-scoring infield single, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Giants’ lead. The Royals’ offensive struggles continued, as they have been held to four runs or fewer in 42 of their 50 games this season.
San Francisco extended its lead in the fifth inning, capitalizing on a throwing error by Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino on a grounder by Wilmer Flores. Jung Hoo Lee then followed with an RBI single, making it 3-1.
The Giants improved their impressive record against right-handed starters to 25-9 this season.
Looking ahead, the Giants will send RHP Logan Webb (5-3, 2.42 ERA) to the mound for the series finale. Webb boasts an excellent 3-0 record with a 0.64 ERA in four starts at home. The Royals will counter with Daniel Lynch IV (3-0, 1.29 ERA). Pregame coverage on Superstar 102.5 FM & 1530 AM KQNK begins at 2:00 p.m. CDT, with first pitch from Oracle Park scheduled for 2:45 p.m. CDT.
