SAN FRANCISCO — For the second time in as many games, the Giants have been sunk by a four-run frame late in a ballgame.
After allowing four runs in the eighth inning of Sunday’s loss, San Francisco (3-8) allowed four runs in the top of the seventh of Monday’s 6-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies (6-4) at Oracle Park, turning a two-run lead into a two-run deficit and an eventual two-run loss.
With this defeat, the Giants have started 1-7 at home for the first time since 2000, the year Oracle Park (then called Pacific Bell Park) opened.
“We’re getting tested right now,” said starter Adrian Houser, who allowed four runs over six innings in his second start as a Giant. “Obviously, it’s no time to overreact or anything like that. It’s the second week of the season — not even. So, there’s plenty of time to turn this around, plenty of time to play better ball.
“That’s all we have to do: play better ball, do the small things right and everything else will take care of itself.”
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Adrian Houser #12 throws against the Philadelphia Phillies in the first inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, April 6, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Manager Tony Vitello’s most consequential decision of the evening came in the top of the seventh with the Giants clinging to a 4-2 lead. With two on and no outs, Vitello brought in left-hander Ryan Borucki with Justin Crawford on second and Trea Turner on first.
Borucki was called upon for the left-on-left matchup against Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper, but there’s an argument to be made that fellow left-handed reliever Matt Gage was the better option in that situation. Neither Borucki nor Gage had allowed a hit to a left-handed hitter, but Gage has been the better of the two to start the season.
“I don’t know who else was playing catch at the time, but he was the one that was going to face Schwarber and Harper all along for the left-on-left matchup,” said manager Tony Vitello of Borucki. “I don’t know who else would’ve been throwing down there.”
Vitello didn’t push the right button by rolling with Borucki. The left-hander walked Schwarber, then allowed a two-run, game-tying single to Harper. Following Harper, Alec Bohm doubled home Schwarber to give the Phillies a lead they’d never lose. Gage eventually entered the game, pitching a scoreless eighth with the Giants already trailing by two runs.
“Just let the team down; that’s really where it stands,” Borucki said. “We should’ve won that game, and I just didn’t do my part to get the job done and it equated in a loss. But tomorrow’s a new day. The sun will come up and we’ll just go from there.”
Philadelphia Phillies’ Trea Turner #7 and Justin Crawford #2 celebrate after scoring on a single by teammate Bryce Harper #3 as San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Ryan Borucki #47 looks on in the seventh inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, April 6, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
When asked how he chooses between Borucki and Gage in that situation, Vitello referred to the timing of the game, what happened the day before and “how we’re looking to get the guy out.”
The Giants’ offense, which entered play averaging 2.6 runs per game, showed life against the Phillies’ talented right-hander Andrew Painter, scoring four runs off the rookie over his four innings of work. Third baseman Matt Chapman was responsible for three of those runs, driving home two with an RBI triple and scoring on Heliot Ramos’ bloop single.
Those four runs against Painter were the extent of San Francisco’s offense. Following Painter’s departure, five Phillies relievers (Tim Mayza, Jonathan Bowlan, José Alvarado, Brad Keller, Jhoan Duran) tossed a scoreless inning apiece and combined to allow just two hits. San Francisco’s .495 OPS from the fifth inning on is the third-lowest in the majors, trailing only the Diamondbacks (.485) and White Sox (.457).
Chapman’s performance on Monday was a much-needed bounce back following one of his worst weeks since joining San Francisco.
San Francisco Giants’ Matt Chapman #26 is congratulated by teammates after scoring on a single by Heliot Ramos #17 in the third inning of their MLB game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, April 6, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
In last Wednesday’s series finale against the San Diego Padres, Chapman committed two throwing errors and was caught on camera airing out first baseman Casey Schmitt following the second gaffe. Then, in Sunday’s series finale against the New York Mets, Chapman committed his third error of the season and was caught stealing with the Giants down three runs in the bottom of the ninth.
Of those lowlights, Chapman’s failed attempt to steal second base was especially perplexing given his reputation as an excellent baserunner. Before Monday’s loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, Chapman described his decision as “bad baserunning on my part” and explained why he took off in the first place.
“(Devin) Williams was really slow to the plate his first couple of pitches. In my head, I was thinking we’ve grounded into some double plays, I want to stay out of a double play here. Then, I just picked a really bad time to do it because he was really slow to the plate. Then, when I stole, he sped up a little bit. Then, obviously, it looks really bad when you get thrown out making an out at second base and killing our rally. … If I could do it over again, I would elect to not steal that base.”
Worth noting
Right-hander Jason Foley (right shoulder surgery) is scheduled to throw a bullpen on Tuesday.
Left-hander Sam Hentges (right knee surgery, left shoulder surgery) is scheduled to throw a live batting practice on Tuesday.
Right-hander Joel Peguero (left hamstring strain) is scheduled to start a rehab assignment on Tuesday with Triple-A Sacramento.
Left-hander Reiver Sanmartin (right hip flexor strain) began his throwing program today in Arizona.
Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryce Harper #3 celebrates with teammates after their 6-4 MLB win against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, April 6, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jhoan Duran #59 and catcher J.T. Realmuto #10 celebrate their 6-4 MLB win against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, April 6, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Caleb Kilian #45 throws against the Philadelphia Phillies in the seventh inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, April 6, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman #26 warms up his hands as he talks with Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryce Harper #3 in the seventh inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, April 6, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Philadelphia Phillies’ Alec Bohm #28 is safe at second base after hitting a double as San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames #2 takes the throw in the seventh inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, April 6, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryce Harper #3 watches the flight of his two-run RBI single off San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Ryan Borucki #47 in the seventh inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, April 6, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Giants second baseman Luis Arraez #1 celebrates after turning a double play to end the sixth inning of their MLB game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, April 6, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Philadelphia Phillies’ first baseman Bryce Harper #3 reacts after being called out on a steal attempt after being tagged by San Francisco Giants second baseman Luis Arraez #1 in the eighth inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, April 6, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Giants’ Jung Hoo Lee #51 hits a single off Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Brad Keller #40 in the eighth inning of their MLB game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, April 6, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Andrew Painter #24 throws against the San Francisco Giants in the fourth inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, April 6, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Philadelphia Phillies’ J.T. Realmuto #10 is congratulated by teammate Kyle Schwarber #12 after scoring on a fielder’s choice in the fifth inning of their MLB game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, April 6, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Giants center fielder Harrison Bader #9 tries to pick off a runner after catching a fly ball by Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryson Stott #5 in the fourth inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, April 6, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Philadelphia Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber #12 slides back into third base to avoid a double play in the fifth inning of their MLB game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, April 6, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Giants’ Willy Adames #2 celebrates his double as Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott #5 looks on in the third inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, April 6, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Giants’ Luis Arraez #1 is congratulated by teammates after scoring on a triple by Matt Chapman #26 in the third inning of their MLB game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, April 6, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Giants right fielder Jung Hoo Lee #51 catches a fly ball hit by Philadelphia Phillies’ Adolis García #53 in the second inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, April 6, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Giants’ Heliot Ramos #17 reacts after striking out swinging against Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Andrew Painter #24 in the first inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, April 6, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryce Harper #3 hits a double off San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Adrian Houser #12 in the first inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, April 6, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryce Harper #3 is safe under the tag of San Francisco Giants second baseman Luis Arraez #1 after hitting a double in the first inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, April 6, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Adrian Houser #12 throws against the Philadelphia Phillies in the second inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, April 6, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Giants’ Jung Hoo Lee #51 and Heliot Ramos #17 prepare to take the field in the first inning of their MLB game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, April 6, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Show Caption
1 of 21
Philadelphia Phillies’ Bryce Harper #3 celebrates with teammates after their 6-4 MLB win against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, April 6, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)