SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The San Francisco Giants put on an offensive clinic Thursday, pounding out 19 hits in a wild 14-11 victory over the Colorado Rockies in a Cactus League game that felt anything but routine. Triple-digit desert heat forced a late start under the lights, but the Giants’ bats burned just as hot after dark.
San Francisco posted runs in six of nine innings and went 6-for-16 with runners in scoring position, finishing with a .452 team batting average. The Giants piled up eight extra-base hits and posted a team OPS above 1.200.
GIANTS’ OFFENSIVE STARS – Drew Gilbert led the offensive parade, going 3-for-6 with a triple and two runs scored. Jared Oliva went 2-for-4 with two doubles, two RBIs and two runs, while Jerar Encarnacion went 2-for-2 with two RBIs. Christian Koss added a home run and two RBIs, and catcher Daniel Susac also homered, finishing 2-for-3 with a run scored.
Eric Haase came off the bench to contribute a 1-for-2 line with two RBIs and a walk, and Luis Matos went 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI.
ROCKIES MAKE IT INTERESTING – Colorado scratched out 11 runs on 10 hits and refused to fold. Willi Castro homered and doubled, scoring twice. Hunter Goodman doubled with two RBIs, and Kyle Karros went 2-for-3. Edouard Julien added a hit, a walk and a run.
The Rockies put up four runs in the eighth inning to pull within striking distance, but San Francisco’s bullpen slammed the door.
WEBB STRUGGLES; BULLPEN DELIVERS – Ace Logan Webb had a rough outing, charged with six earned runs on eight hits and a home run over 4 1/3 innings while striking out three. Spring starts of that nature are generally brushed aside by coaching staffs, but Webb’s command will be a point of focus as Opening Day approaches.
Right-hander J.T. Brubaker was the bullpen hero, tossing two scoreless innings without allowing a hit and striking out two to earn the win. Closer Juan Sanchez worked a perfect ninth for the save.
For Colorado, Seth Halvorsen surrendered five runs, four earned, in one-third of an inning. Jimmy Herget was tagged with the loss.
BIGGER PICTURE – The offensive explosion was a timely confidence boost for a Giants lineup that believes it has the firepower to compete in 2026. Fringe roster candidates Encarnacion and Oliva helped their cases considerably, complicating decisions for outfield spots.
The concern remains the pitching. Webb’s spring has been uneven, and while no panic exists in the organization, sharpening his command before Opening Day is a priority. The bullpen, meanwhile, showed encouraging signs. Brubaker’s two clean innings and Sanchez’s lockdown ninth were exactly the kind of performances that build confidence heading into a long season.
The Giants also announced that prospect Bryce Eldridge will not be on the 40-man roster.
UP NEXT – San Francisco plays a split-squad Friday, with one group hosting the Kansas City Royals and the other traveling to Arlington to face the Texas Rangers. Saturday brings the Cleveland Guardians to Scottsdale, followed by a game against Triple-A affiliate Sacramento at Sutter Health Park on Sunday for a traditional showcase for players on the roster bubble.
The preseason schedule closes with back-to-back home games Monday and Tuesday at Oracle Park in San Francisco against the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Liga Mexicana de Beisbol, then three-game home series against the New York Yankees to open the regular season.
