{"id":660526,"date":"2026-04-03T08:51:51","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T08:51:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/660526\/"},"modified":"2026-04-03T08:51:51","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T08:51:51","slug":"sf-giants-daniel-susac-reaches-base-four-times-in-first-career-start","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/660526\/","title":{"rendered":"SF Giants’ Daniel Susac reaches base four times in first career start"},"content":{"rendered":"

SAN FRANCISCO \u2014 Daniel Susac had fond memories at Oracle Park well before becoming a Giant.<\/p>\n

Back when the ballpark at 24 Willie Mays Plaza was called AT&T Park, Susac\u2019s older brother, Andrew, played two seasons for the Giants in 2014 and 2015. Daniel enjoyed the privileges that came with having an older brother in the majors. He remembers running around San Francisco\u2019s clubhouse. He remembers watching as many games as possible. He remembers Travis Ishikawa hitting the walk-off home run that sent the Giants to the World Series.<\/p>\n

On Thursday evening, the roles were reversed. Daniel made memories of his own, and Andrew and company had the privilege of watching from the stands.<\/p>\n

Following his debut on Wednesday as a defensive replacement, Daniel Susac left his imprint all over the Giants\u2019 7-2 win over the New York Mets in his first career start. At the plate, he reached base in all four plate appearances, collecting three hits and a walk. Behind the plate, he successfully challenged a pitch to turn ball four into strike three.<\/p>\n

\u201cI definitely always envisioned it as a little kid, but to actually live it out was pretty awesome,\u201d Susac said. \u201cI probably went through this exact scenario so many times in the backyard with my brothers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"SanSan Francisco Giants catcher Daniel Susac #6 congratulates relief pitcher Blade Tidwell #46 after their 7-2 MLB win against the New York Mets at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)\u00a0<\/p>\n

Susac collected his fair share of memorabilia by night\u2019s end, a list that includes his first hit, the Giants\u2019 lineup card and the umpire\u2019s lineup card. Susac also held onto the ball after right-hander Blade Tidwell struck out Mark Vientos to record a three-inning save, the first of his career. Tidwell, though, didn\u2019t know he\u2019d recorded a save since the Giants were up by five runs.<\/p>\n

Upon returning to the clubhouse, Susac and Tidwell both hopped into separate laundry carts and experienced the ceremonial beer shower to commemorate their respective accomplishments. It marks the Giants\u2019 third such celebration in the last four days, the other alcohol-related storm being when rookie manager Tony Vitello recorded his first managerial win<\/a> on Monday.<\/p>\n

Along with Susac and Tidwell, infielder Casey Schmitt rebounded from a forgettable, tense Wednesday afternoon<\/a> by reaching base four times (three singles, one walk) and making a leaping snag in the top of the eighth inning to kickstart an unassisted double play. Rafael Devers hit his first home run of the season, an opposite-field shot that barely cleared the left-center field fence, while Robbie Ray recorded his first win of the year.<\/p>\n

\"SanSan Francisco Giants designated hitter Rafael Devers #16 hits a solo home run off New York Mets relief pitcher Sean Manaea #59 in the sixth inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, April 2, 2026. It was his first home run of the season. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)\u00a0<\/p>\n

Seemingly the only person wearing a Giants jersey on Thursday night who didn\u2019t enjoy the game was Susac\u2019s nephew, who was caught crying after he recorded his third and final hit of the night.<\/p>\n

\u201c(My nephew) was excited to see me, though,\u201d Susac said.<\/p>\n

Susac nearly took his first at-bat in the top of the ninth inning on Wednesday against All-Star reliever Mason Miller, but the rookie ended up stranded in the on-deck circle as Miller finished off the Padres\u2019 7-1 win. In retrospect, it was for the best.<\/p>\n

Instead of facing the game\u2019s best closer, Susac\u2019s first at-bat came in the bottom of the second against the Mets\u2019 David Peterson. Peterson started Susac with a first-pitch curveball, an offering that Susac flipped into right field for the first hit of his career. The Susac family, seated in the lower bowl, instantly erupted in jubilation.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was a little surprised about a first-pitch curveball,\u201d Susac said. \u201cI was like, \u2018All right, I\u2019m going to get a first-pitch heater, I\u2019m going to hammer it.\u2019 I saw it mid air and I was like, \u2018Uh oh.\u2019 I just put a good swing on it. \u2026 I was talking to a couple of guys today, and I was like, \u2018I\u2019m going to get a first-pitch hit to right.\u2019 So, I guess I was right on that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Peterson tried a different gambit in his second meeting with Susac, starting the rookie off with a first-pitch four-seam fastball. Different pitch, same result. Susac pulled the heater into left field past a diving Francisco Lindor, and he had his second hit of the night.<\/p>\n

\"NewNew York Mets starting pitcher David Peterson #23 throws against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)\u00a0<\/p>\n

Susac didn\u2019t record another hit in his third plate appearance of the night, but that\u2019s because former Giant Sean Manaea walked him on four straight balls. Manaea got ahead in the count, 1-2, when the two met in the bottom of the seventh, but Susac turned a middle-middle fastball into his third hit of the night.<\/p>\n

In recording three hits and a walk, Susac became the first Giant to reach base four times in his first career game (with a plate appearance) since Kevin Frandsen in 2006.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a great feeling for him,\u201d said Ray, who allowed two runs over 5 1\/3 innings with seven strikeouts. \u201cEverybody\u2019s excited. Everybody\u2019s in the dugout cheering and just super fired up for him. You only get one first debut, so just happy it went so well for him.\u201d<\/p>\n

Susac\u2019s impact wasn\u2019t limited to the offensive side of the game. In the top of the sixth, Ryan Walker, making a surprising appearance in the middle innings, fired a 3-2 sinker low-and-away to the Mets\u2019 Luis Robert Jr. that was called a ball. Susac challenged the call, and Oracle Park\u2019s scoreboard provided the good news: a strike by mere inches.<\/p>\n

\u201cI try to speak candidly with you all \u2026 but I don\u2019t like just saying stuff just to say it. I think the guy can be a weapon for us,\u201d Vitello said. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t say that unless people smarter than me said it. If I didn\u2019t believe in it with my whole heart, I wouldn\u2019t say it either. I think he\u2019ll keep getting better as the year goes on.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot every night is going to feel like it\u2019s easy for him, but tonight was a guy getting what he deserved.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

San Francisco Giants catcher Daniel Susac #6 is congratulated by shortstop Willy Adames #2 after their 7-2 MLB win against the New York Mets at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"New<\/p>\n

New York Mets’ Mark Vientos #27 fouls off a pitch by San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Blade Tidwell #46 as catcher Daniel Susac #6 reaches for the ball in the ninth inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Blade Tidwell #46 reacts after striking out New York Mets’ Mark Vientos #27 to end the game with a 7-2 win at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

San Francisco Giants second baseman Luis Arraez #1 completes a double play to first base as New York Mets’ Marcus Semien #10 is forced out in the seventh inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"New<\/p>\n

New York Mets relief pitcher Sean Manaea #59 reacts as San Francisco Giants designated hitter Rafael Devers #16 rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Blade Tidwell #46 throws against the New York Mets in the eighth inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Robbie Ray #38 is taken out in the fifth inning of their MLB game against the New York Mets at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

San Francisco Giants’ Jung Hoo Lee #51 loses his helmet as he takes a swing in the fifth inning of their MLB game against the New York Mets at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello reacts from the dugout in the sixth inning of their MLB game against the New York Mets at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"New<\/p>\n

New York Mets relief pitcher Sean Manaea #59 throws against the San Francisco Giants in the fifth inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

San Francisco Giants’ Jung Hoo Lee #51 is safe at first base after a throwing error by New York Mets starting pitcher David Peterson #23 in the first inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

San Francisco Giants first baseman Casey Schmitt #10 guards the bag as New York Mets’ Luis Robert Jr. #88 takes a big lead second inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, April 2, 2026. Susac became the first Giant to reach base four times in his first career game with a plate appearance since Kevin Frandsen in 2006. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

San Francisco Giants’ Matt Chapman #26 hits an RBI double off New York Mets starting pitcher David Peterson #23 in the first inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

San Francisco Giants’ Matt Chapman #26 calls timeout after hitting an RBI double off New York Mets starting pitcher David Peterson #23 in the first inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

San Francisco Giants’ Luis Arraez #1 hits an RBI triple off New York Mets starting pitcher David Peterson #23 in the first inning of their MLB game against the New York Mets at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

San Francisco Giants designated hitter Rafael Devers #16 is forced out as New York Mets second baseman Marcus Semien #10 makes the throw to first base but doesn\u2019t complete the double play in the first inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Robbie Ray #38 throws against the New York Mets in the first inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"New<\/p>\n

New York Mets’ Juan Soto #22 is congratulated by teammate Luis Robert Jr. #88 after scoring on an RBI double by New York Mets’ Bo Bichette #19 in the first inning of their MLB game against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"New<\/p>\n

New York Mets’ Juan Soto #22 scores past San Francisco Giants catcher Daniel Susac #6 on an RBI double by New York Mets’ Bo Bichette #19 in the first inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"New<\/p>\n

New York Mets’ Bo Bichette #19 hits an RBI double off San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Robbie Ray #38 in the first inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

San Francisco Giants’ Heliot Ramos #17 is congratulated by Matt Chapman #26 after scoring on a triple by Luis Arraez #1 in the first inning of their MLB game against the New York Mets at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

\"San<\/p>\n

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Robbie Ray #38 throws against the New York Mets in the first inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

1 of 22<\/p>\n

San Francisco Giants catcher Daniel Susac #6 is congratulated by shortstop Willy Adames #2 after their 7-2 MLB win against the New York Mets at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, April 2, 2026. (Jane Tyska\/Bay Area News Group)<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"SAN FRANCISCO \u2014 Daniel Susac had fond memories at Oracle Park well before becoming a Giant. Back when…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":660527,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2408],"tags":[5,5776,2178,162,5774,5775,853,4,5777,5505,378,5778,66,4343,4340,4344,4341,4342,185],"class_list":{"0":"post-660526","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-san-francisco-giants","8":"tag-baseball","9":"tag-bay-area","10":"tag-california","11":"tag-giants","12":"tag-giants-hq","13":"tag-inside-sports","14":"tag-latest-headlines","15":"tag-mlb","16":"tag-peninsula","17":"tag-photos-and-videos","18":"tag-san-francisco","19":"tag-san-francisco-county","20":"tag-san-francisco-giants","21":"tag-sanfrancisco","22":"tag-sanfranciscogiants","23":"tag-sf","24":"tag-sf-giants","25":"tag-sfgiants","26":"tag-sports"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/660526","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=660526"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/660526\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/660527"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=660526"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=660526"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=660526"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}