Giants stun Padres 6-5 on June 5, 2025, after Buster Posey's roster moves (Wade Jr. out; Smith in). Dramatic comeback ends offensive drought & skid!
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
What a difference a day makes! Just hours after President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey declared 'It's time to go' and executed a significant roster shakeup, the San Francisco Giants responded with a jolt of energy, staging a dramatic comeback from a 5-0 deficit to stun the San Diego Padres 6-5. The win not only snapped a frustrating seven-game skid against their division rivals but also broke a 16-game offensive drought of scoring four or fewer runs.
'It’s time to go. We all believe that we’re better than what we’ve done with the bat for the last two-and-a-half, three weeks. It’s time to go.' - Buster Posey
The day began with a clear message from the front office: mediocrity would not be tolerated. Buster Posey, in a decisive move to awaken a slumbering offense, released struggling veteran LaMonte Wade Jr. and brought in fresh blood: first baseman Dominic Smith, outfielder Daniel Johnson, and catcher Andrew Knizner. Posey's words were direct, emphasizing the urgency for offensive improvement. 'We all believe that we’re better than what we’ve done with the bat for the last two-and-a-half, three weeks,' he stated. 'It’s time to go.' The moves signaled a clear intent to inject life into a lineup that had been struggling mightily.
For a while, it looked like more of the same old story. The Padres jumped out to a 5-0 lead, and the Oracle Park faithful were bracing for another tough night. But this new-look Giants squad, perhaps fueled by the front office's challenge, refused to fold. The comeback fuse was lit in the sixth inning when Matt Chapman launched a towering two-run homer, his 11th of the season, cutting the deficit. The real fireworks came in the seventh. With the pressure mounting, Heliot Ramos delivered a clutch, game-tying two-run double, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Jung Hoo Lee then stepped up and lofted a sacrifice fly, plating the go-ahead run. Just like that, the Giants had scored six runs, snapping their agonizing 16-game streak of scoring four or fewer – their second-longest such streak since moving to San Francisco in 1958.
The win wasn't without its tense moments on the mound. Starter Kyle Harrison had to make an early exit after being struck on the pitching elbow by a comebacker. Thankfully, X-rays came back negative, and he's expected to make his next start, a huge relief for the team. Stepping into the breach was Sean Hjelle, making his season debut after being recalled on Tuesday. The towering right-hander was magnificent, tossing 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief to earn the win – a crucial performance that stabilized the game. The ninth inning brought more excitement as Randy Rodríguez was called upon to secure the victory, and he did just that, recording the final two outs for his first career MLB save. What a night for the bullpen!
One win, even a dramatic one, doesn't make a season, but this felt different. With Posey's decisive action and the team's resilient response, there's a renewed sense of urgency and perhaps, a turning point. The challenge now is to build on this momentum, prove the offense is truly revitalized, and climb back into contention. It's time to go, indeed.
