SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Heliot Ramos hit a leadoff homer in the first inning and had a go-ahead single in the eighth, lifting the San Francisco Giants to a 3-2 victory over the Athletics on Sunday that completed a series sweep.
The three-game set was the teams’ first meeting in the Northern California rivalry since the Athletics relocated from Oakland to Sacramento.
With the Giants trailing 2-1 in the eighth, LaMonte Wade Jr. hit a leadoff triple and Patrick Bailey drove him in with a single to tie it. Ramos´ one-out single to left drove in Bailey from second to cap the rally against A´s reliever Tyler Ferguson (0-2).
Randy Rodriguez (3-0) earned the win after throwing a scoreless eighth and Ryan Walker got three outs for his eighth save.
After Ramos gave the Giants a 1-0 lead with a leadoff homer against A’s starter Jeffrey Springs, Lawrence Butler´s two-out single with the bases loaded in the fourth off San Francisco starter Justin Verlander gave the A´s a 2-1 lead.
Springs allowed two hits and walked none while striking out five in 6 2/3 innings, retiring 20 straight batters after Ramos’ homer. Springs has given up just four runs over his last four starts.
San Francisco Giants’ Heliot Ramos hits an RBI single during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Sunday, May 18, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Verlander allowed two runs in four innings and is still searching for his first win of the season through 10 starts – the longest such drought to start a season in his 20-year MLB career.
Giants No. 9 hitter Christian Koss dropped down a bunt to move Bailey to second in the eighth. That allowed the catcher to score the go-ahead run on Ramos´ single.
Verlander walked five in four innings with just one strikeout.
Athletics: RHP JT Ginn (1-1, 4.61 ERA) will start Monday to kick off a four-game set at home against the Los Angeles Angels.
Giants: LHP Robbie Ray (6-0, 3.04 ERA) is scheduled to pitch in the first of a three-game set against Kansas City on Monday.
San Francisco Giants’ Patrick Bailey, right, celebrates with Wilmer Flores, left, after scoring against the Athletics on Heliot Ramos’ single during the eighth inning of a baseball game Sunday, May 18, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
San Francisco Giants’ Heliot Ramos, right, runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Sunday, May 18, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames (2) and left fielder Heliot Ramos, center, celebrate after the team’s victory over the Athletics in a baseball game Sunday, May 18, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
