Giants Fall Short Against Mets in Pitchers' Duel

Rookie catcher Daniel Susac's strong performance not enough to lift San Francisco

Apr. 3, 2026 at 7:34pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting in bold colors depicting a baseball game in motion, with overlapping shapes and planes representing the players, field, and stadium.A cubist interpretation of the high-stakes matchup between the Giants and Mets, capturing the dynamic energy and competitive spirit of the game.NYC Today

In a tight matchup between the San Francisco Giants and New York Mets, the Mets emerged victorious with a 3-2 win at Oracle Park. Despite a solid outing from Giants starter Tyler Mahle and a 3-for-4 night from rookie catcher Daniel Susac, the Mets' pitching staff, led by Nolan McLean, proved too much for the Giants' offense.

Why it matters

This game showcases the early-season struggles of the Giants' offense, which has been overshadowed by their strong pitching staff. The Mets, on the other hand, are looking to bounce back from a slow start and get their high-powered lineup firing on all cylinders.

The details

Mets starter Nolan McLean pitched 6 innings, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits while striking out 7. Giants starter Tyler Mahle went 5 innings, giving up 3 runs on 6 hits. Rookie catcher Daniel Susac had a standout performance for the Giants, going 3-for-4 at the plate, but the Mets' bullpen was able to hold on for the victory.

  • The game was played on Friday, April 3, 2026 at 10:15 p.m. ET.
  • Mets starter Nolan McLean made his second start of the season.

The players

Nolan McLean

Mets starting pitcher who had a strong outing, allowing 2 runs over 6 innings.

Tyler Mahle

Giants starting pitcher who went 5 innings, giving up 3 runs.

Daniel Susac

Giants rookie catcher who went 3-for-4 at the plate.

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What they’re saying

“We knew Mahle and McLean would be in for a battle tonight, and that's exactly what we got. Susac really stepped up for us, but their pitching staff was just a little bit better.”

— Gabe Kapler, Giants Manager

What’s next

The Giants will look to bounce back in the second game of the series on Saturday, while the Mets will try to build on this win and get their offense going.

The takeaway

Despite the Giants' strong pitching, their offense continues to struggle early in the season. The Mets, meanwhile, showed resilience in grinding out a close victory, suggesting their high-powered lineup may be rounding into form.