Devers, Lee power Giants over Angels 9-2

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants finally got to ask what the American League, especially the AL West, has been questioning all season long: what if they could play the Los Angeles Angels every day??

Robbie Ray pitched six scoreless innings as Rafeal Devers and Jung Hoo Lee provided the offense in a 9-2 rout over the Angles in the second game of the three-game series on Saturday afternoon at Oracle Park.

Unlike Friday's night's game, the Giants didn't have to worry about any drama in the late innings as the cruised to one of their easiest victories of the season. Ray only gave up six hits and two walks while striking out five in what could potentially be his last start in a Giants uniform at home with the August 3rd trade deadline looming ever so soon. Ray (9-6 3.16 ERA) is one of the names rumored to be dealt at or before the deadline as he is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. He could bring back a prospect or two for a contender looking to strengthen their starting rotation for a playoff run.

"I thought he was great," said Giants manager Tony Vitello regarding his starting pitcher's performance. "I think the thing we talked about a few weeks back or however long it's been, was him mixing in the two-seam (fastball) more. There's been enough of a sample size accumulated where people are thinking about it. I think it's been a good pitch for him, but I think it's beginning to open up his four-seam (fastball) for him too. I thought those were the two big things."

Ray admitted he was able to dictate the pace of the game and glided through his six innings of work.

"I felt like I was on cruise control the whole time," said Ray. "Felt real confident with my pitches today, probably that was the best I've felt all year with my pitch mix."

Angles starting pitcher Ryan Johnson cruised through the first two innings before getting into trouble in the bottom half of the third inning. Johnson was one out away from escaping any damage but three consecutive two-out hits by San Francisco suddenly became a five-run deficit for the visiting starting pitcher. Devers single to left field was overran by Wade Meckler allowing Luis Arraez to score from second base. Casey Schmitt followed with an RBI-single and then Lee (2-3, HR, 3 RBI) didn't waste any time and jumped on the first pitch from Johnson with a shot to the arcade in right field for a three-run homer, his sixth of the season.

The Giants picked up where they left off in their half of the fourth inning. Arraez's second hit of the contest brought in Drew Gilbert from second base to make it 6-0. Then Devers (3-4, 2R, HR, 4 RBI) followed the lead of Lee with a three-run jack to deep left center field for his team leading 22nd home run of the season to blow the game wide open and send his team to their first series win since taking three out of four from the Colorado Rockies at home to close out the first half of the schedule.

"I think it's a reflection of all the adjustments I have made," said Devers on his recent success at the plate. "The work I've been doing in the (batting) cage. I think the first half of the season I was pushing myself a little bit and now I feel a little more comfortable especially of the extra work I've been doing."

Tristen Beck and Keaton Winn each gave up a run in the final three innings to close out the game for San Francisco, who is looking for its first sweep of the season, as they still have to make up the last game with the Atlanta Braves on Monday August 31st at Truist Park. Rookie Carson Whisenhunt will be on the mound in his second start since being recalled from Sacramento. The Giants offense will try to replicate what they've done in the first two games of the series against Whisenhunt's counterpart Jose Soriano. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05pm.