San Francisco Giants vs Oakland Athletics Match Player Stats – Birdsong Dominates in 7-3 Win (March 16, 2025)
Giants 7, Athletics 3. That’s what the scoreboard showed when the dust settled at Scottsdale Stadium on March 16, 2025. But the real story lies in the player stats that reveal which prospects are rising and which veterans are ready for the regular season.
The Birdsong Masterclass
Hayden Birdsong wasn’t just good against Oakland – he was absolutely dealing. The young Giants prospect painted corners and had Athletics hitters baffled all afternoon.
5 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 8 K
When Birdsong’s curveball is working, it’s pure filth – registering a nasty 2943 rpm spin rate while his fastball touched 97 mph. The Athletics couldn’t touch him as he generated 13 swings and misses.
The Giants coaching staff watched from the dugout as his spring ERA dropped to a minuscule 0.75, boosting his chances for a roster spot.
This wasn’t just another spring outing. With Kyle Harrison struggling (3 ER in 3 IP), Birdsong is making his case for that coveted fifth starter spot with performances like this.
Power Display: Giants Bats Erupt
The Giants’ bats came alive in the Arizona sun, particularly during a third-inning outburst that had the 9,946 fans on their feet. Willy Adames and Wilmer Flores went back-to-back, crushing homers that seemed to hang forever in the desert air.
| Player | AB | H | HR | RBI | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Stassi | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | Perfect day with HR + 2B |
| Willy Adames | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2-run HR in 3rd inning |
| Wilmer Flores | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Back-to-back HR with Adames |
Stassi’s performance opened eyes around Scottsdale Stadium. The backup catcher battle isn’t supposed to produce offensive fireworks, but his perfect 2-for-2 day included a two-run bomb in the sixth that cleared the left field wall with room to spare. For a career .212 hitter, this was the kind of game that wins roster spots.
The Giants racked up 14 hits total, with Heliot Ramos and Jerar Encarnacion both going 2-for-3. Mike Yastrzemski also contributed an RBI single that started the scoring.
Athletics Hitters: Flashes of Potential
Oakland’s offense spent most of the afternoon frustrated by Birdsong’s breaking balls, resulting in 13 strikeouts and a dismal 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position.
The moment that got Athletics fans out of their seats came in the seventh when Logan Davidson turned on an inside fastball from Harrison and sent it rocketing over the right field wall for a two-run shot. This wasn’t a cheap one either – consistent with his previous spring training exit velocities of 106.7 mph.
Darell Hernaiz quietly collected a pair of singles, going 2-for-3 with a run scored – the only Athletic with multiple hits on a tough day at the plate.
The most exciting sequence came when Esteury Ruiz showcased his blazing speed. After lining a single to center, he promptly swiped second base, then took third on the very next pitch. That 80-grade speed will play at any level.
Springs Searching for Command
Jeffrey Springs’ comeback from Tommy John surgery hit another bump in the Arizona desert. The veteran lefty couldn’t keep his pitches down:
3.2 IP, 4 ER, 8 H, 0 BB, 2 K, 2 HR allowed
When Springs left a fastball over the plate to Adames in the third, it landed somewhere near Tempe. Flores followed by taking a breaking ball deep, and suddenly Springs was staring at a 4-0 deficit.
His 5.02 spring ERA tells the story of a pitcher still searching for his pre-surgery form. The good news? No walks, suggesting his control is returning even if his command within the zone remains spotty.
Oakland did get a glimpse of future bullpen dominance when Mason Miller pumped 99 mph heat during a perfect inning (1 IP, 0 R, 2 K), while José Leclerc also looked sharp with two punchouts in his scoreless frame.
What These Stats Mean For Both Teams
For San Francisco, Birdsong’s emergence gives them an embarrassment of pitching riches heading into 2025. His command (zero walks) addressed previous concerns about his control, while those swing-and-miss numbers can’t be ignored by the Giants brass.
These spring performances are reminiscent of what we saw when the Baltimore Orioles faced the San Francisco Giants earlier this spring – timely hitting and strong pitching from the Giants.
Oakland’s concerns center on Springs, who is still finding his way back from Tommy John surgery. The road to recovery is never a straight line for pitchers after such a major procedure, but 8 hits in 3.2 innings isn’t what the Athletics envisioned when they acquired the veteran lefty. His 5.02 spring ERA indicates there’s still work to be done before Opening Day.
The bright spot for the green and gold remains Davidson’s power potential. His homer wasn’t a fluke – it was the kind of swing that makes scouts nod approvingly from behind home plate.
For fans tracking these spring training matchups, the Giants’ offensive output also mirrors what we’ve seen in their recent clash with the Cleveland Guardians, suggesting a pattern of improved hitting across their spring schedule.
Game-Changing Moments
The decisive sequence came in that explosive third inning. After Heliot Ramos singled with one out, Adames stepped in against Springs. The count ran full before Adames unloaded, sending a towering drive that seemed to hang forever before landing beyond the left-field fence.
The crowd barely had time to settle when Flores connected just two pitches later, hitting a laser beam that cleared the wall in almost the same spot. Back-to-back jacks and suddenly it was 4-0 Giants.
Oakland showed brief life in the seventh when Davidson crushed his two-run shot off Harrison, cutting the lead to 6-3. But Max Stassi’s RBI double in the eighth – his second extra-base hit of the day – sealed the deal.
FAQs: San Francisco Giants vs Oakland Athletics Match Player Stats
Q: Which Giants pitcher had the best stat line against Oakland?
A: Hayden Birdsong dominated with 5 scoreless innings, allowing just 2 hits with 0 walks and 8 strikeouts.
Q: Who hit homers in this spring training game?
A: The Giants had three home runs (Willy Adames, Wilmer Flores, and Max Stassi) while Logan Davidson hit one for Oakland.
Q: Did any Athletics player have a multi-hit game?
A: Yes, shortstop Darell Hernaiz went 2-for-3 with a run scored.
Q: What was Jeffrey Springs’ final line?
A: Springs struggled: 3.2 IP, 4 ER, 8 H, 0 BB, 2 K, including 2 home runs allowed.
Q: How did Esteury Ruiz perform?
A: Ruiz went 1-for-2 with a run scored and showed his elite speed by stealing both second and third base.
The San Francisco Giants vs Oakland Athletics match player stats reveal why spring training games matter so much for roster decisions. When players like Birdsong and Stassi put up numbers like these, careers change. When others struggle, like Springs and Harrison, tough decisions loom for managers heading into Opening Day.
