The Giants’ 17-hit, three-homer, no-error, 12-0 win over the Padres was one of their most complete games in weeks — if not all season.
To earn a series split in San Diego, the Giants (43-41) enjoyed season-best performances out of starters Carlos Rodón and Alex Wood. Wood seven shutout innings Sunday with a season-high eight strikeouts. He pitched with a cushy lead thanks to early two-run homers from Thairo Estrada and Wilmer Flores.
Estrada’s second-inning blast came in his third game back with the Giants after feeling under the weather. San Francisco placed him on the COVID IL — reserved for players who are symptomatic, tested positive, or have come in direct contact — but Estrada apparently never got the bug.
Based on his swing Sunday, the infielder is clearly feeling better. His two-run shot lined off his bat at 102 mph and found the first row over the left field wall. The bottom half of the second, he ranged to his right to corral a chopper up the middle, throwing on target on the run.
The next inning, the Giants got to Padres starter MacKenzie Gore again. Austin Slater ripped a double over center fielder Trent Grisham’s head, then Wilmer Flores followed him with another two-run shot, extending his arms and pulling a fastball.
A day prior, Flores’ two-run shot lifted Carlos Rodòn’s complete game masterstroke. He hit third in SF’s order on Saturday and second Sunday, much to the chagrin of broadcaster Eric Karros.
In Gore’s first start of the year against the Giants, the rookie tossed six one-run innings in a Padres blowout win. His second go against SF was quite the departure; it was the second time in Gore’s young career that he allowed multiple home runs. The Giants are now 21-6 in games in which they smack multiple dingers.
Gore allowed three hits in that May 22 start. In Petco Park Sunday, he allowed leadoff hits in the second, third and fourth innings — all of which came around to score. He couldn’t escape the fourth, as Mike Yastrzemski’s triple and Slater’s RBI single gave San Francisco a 6-0 lead and chased the starter out. Then SF only padded their lead against reliever Tayler Scott.
As the Giants ran up the score, Wood kept the Padres quiet. Inning after inning, Wood spent enough time on the bench to tan in the San Diego sun, then sped out to the mound and retired Padres expeditiously.
The Giants had 12 hits and eight runs before the Padres notched a hit off Wood, who mowed through five innings in 60 pitches while ringing up seven.
At one point, Wood retired 14 straight batters and struck out five of six Padres, repeating Carlos Rodón’s impressive swing-and-miss stuff from the night prior. Wood and Rodón combined to throw 12 straight no-hit innings over two games.
Wood had the privilege of pitching with a lead, and he came out for the seventh inning with 10 runs of support.
The starter finished with three hits and no runs on his line and left the Giants with an 11-0 lead. Flores added to it with his fourth hit — a homer off position player Matthew Batten — in the ninth. Seven Giants drove in at least a run in their biggest offensive output since June 21 in Atlanta.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, the local broadcast panned to Gabe Kapler, sitting on a chair against the visitor’s dugout wall with his legs crossed. Perhaps some smooth jazz played in his head. After weeks of flat play and lethargic energy, his club gave him something to relax by proving what they’ve believed all along: at their best, they’re capable of competing with anyone.
