Slater, Bailey homer in Giants 14-4 blowout win over Pirates

The Giants did not wait long to get rolling offensively. Catcher Patrick Bailey ( Giants #21 prospect ) lined a two-RBI double in the second inning to give San Francisco a 2-0 lead. A few batters later, Austin Slater extended the Giants lead to 5-0 with a two-run homer in his first game back from the injured list.

The Giants finished the day with 14 runs on 18 hits, including five doubles and a pair of home runs. Slater finished 3-for-6 with his early blast, and Bailey (who turned 24 on Monday) celebrated his birthday with a 3-for-5 performance that he capped off with a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh. Veteran shortstop Brandon Crawford had one of his best games of the season as well, recording a hit or walk in all of his trips to the plate, including a double.

The Pirates' offense was incredibly aggressive at the plate, leading to a rare three-pitch inning for Giants starter Anthony DeSclafani. DeSclafani was not overpowering on Monday afternoon, but San Francisco did not need him to be. Despite striking out just two batters across seven innings of work, the veteran allowed just three runs on eight hits without a walk. He also only needed 74 pitches.

With a big lead, Giants manager Gabe Kapler turned to veteran lefty Taylor Rogers for a shutout inning of work in the eighth before infielder Brett Wisely (Giants #22 prospect) took the mound in the ninth, where he retired three of the four hitters he faced, although he allowed a home run to Jack Suwinski.

Both teams will face off again on Tuesday back at Oracle Park. The SF Giants have not announced their starting pitcher yet, but whoever gets the nod will face off against Pirates righty Johan Oviedo. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 PM Pacific.