It was nearly surreal to witness how, in just a matter of twenty-four hours, the San Francisco Giants shifted the winning odds in their favor. After being handed a brutal 11-2 loss by the Oakland Athletics on Friday, the G-men made sure to clap back by notching a 7-2 win against their former Bat Bridge rivals. However, it was a tough one. The game tested every bit of the Giants’ patience.
In the very first inning, two of the Giants’ hitters were hit by pitches by the Athletics. It all unfolded when Luis Severino walked Mike Yastrzemski early in the game. Then, he hit Heliot Ramos with a pitch. After recording one out, he hit Matt Chapman as well, loading the bases.
As this back-to-back hit-by-pitches by Severino transpired, everybody in the Sutter Health Park took notice. But the one who stepped up and criticized the league’s protocol regarding hit-by-pitch was Mike Krukow, the Giants broadcaster and a former MLB player.
“I shouldn’t call that a rule. It’s umpire protocol. A team drills somebody, a team retaliates and you react to it…But considering how many times the Giants have been hit here in this last month…it makes you think about how can you handle the situation.” pic.twitter.com/Xtku5WZuMm
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 6, 2025
“The Giants have had 2 hitters hit. The A’s could 3 more and they wouldn’t get warned. But if the Giants hit one guy, they’re gonna get warned,” he said. After all, that’s how the MLB rules really work. For the team that hits first, it’s easier to get away with it.
Yes, no ejection, no consequences, and nothing. Had the Giants retaliated, they would have gotten a warning right away. “I shouldn’t call that a rule. It’s umpire protocol… A team drills somebody, a team retaliates and you react to it… But considering how many times the Giants have been hit here in this last month, which has been ridiculous, it makes you think about how can you handle the situation.” Apparently, the umpires let it go. They did nothing about it. Even on June 26 against the Miami Marlins, the Giants were plunked. In fact, before this game, Ramos alone was hit four times.
He blamed the unfair and unwritten rules of the league. When a club hits a batter as early as the first inning, being aware of the fact that the opponents will be under fire for any retaliation, they make the most of the opportunity. Unintentionally or not, according to Krukow, the protocols have been favoring the first team to act. So, if you think about it, Krukow’s frustration was justified given how many times the Giants were hit.
Giants have had enough
Just a week ago, last Thursday, against the Miami Marlins, the Giants fell 12-5 short. However, more intense than the loss was the bench-emptying incident that unfolded during the game.
Just a day before, against the same team, they were hit by pitches three times. In fact, across the last nine games, they were hit nine times. That’s not all. Their third baseman Casey Schmitt got injured and was on the sidelines for Thursday’s game. He was hit by Calvin Faucher’s fastball so hard that he had to undergo a CT scan for his left wrist.
Rightfully so, the Giants wanted retaliation on Thursday. Hayden Birdsong’s 97.5 mph fastball had hit Otte Lopez straight on his thigh. The Giants simply couldn’t shake off what happened during the last game.
Oct 14, 2021; San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants first baseman Wilmer Flores (41) tries to check his swing against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the ninth inning during game five of the 2021 NLDS at Oracle Park. First base umpire Gabe Morales (47) ruled Flores swung for strike three to end the game. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports
During the seventh inning, things got to another level. When Cade Gibson struck out Wilmer Flores, he became infuriated after being called for a check swing. That’s when he heard some trash talk from the Marlins’ end. Consequently, the bullpen and benches rushed onto the field. It was tough to get Flores off the field. Things did cool down after a bit. However, the Giants have really had enough.
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