Conforto, Villar go back-to-back, Matos hits tiebreaker blast as Giants beat Cubs 4-3

SAN FRANCISCO — – Michael Conforto and David Villar hit back-to-back home runs in the second inning, Luis Matos hit a tiebreaking solo shot in the fifth and the San Francisco Giants defeated the Chicago Cubs 4-3 on Wednesday night.

Seiya Suzuki homered for Chicago, which lost its fourth straight and fell to 3-13 in its last 16 road games.

Giants starting pitcher Hayden Birdsong was called up from Triple-A Sacramento for his major league debut. He allowed three runs and six hits, with five strikeouts and three walks in 4 2/3 innings.

Luke Jackson (4-1) followed with 1 1/3 scoreless innings for his fourth straight victory. Camilo Doval pitched the ninth for his fourteenth save in 16 chances.

Hayden Wesneski, making his first start since May 8 for Chicago, allowed three runs on two hits and a walk with seven strikeouts in four innings.

Pete Crow-Armstrong gave the Cubs an early lead with an RBI single in the second.

Conforto responded with a two-run homer in the second half. Villar followed with his first homer since June 19, 2023.

Miguel Amaya cut the Giants’ lead to 3-2 with an RBI single in the fourth inning, allowing Crow-Armstrong to score from first base.

Suzuki tied the score in the fifth with his ninth home run of the season.

Matos picked off Drew Smyly (2-5) deep in the bottom half to put San Francisco back in front.

The Cubs put runners on first and second with two outs in the eighth inning, but Tyler Rogers picked off Ian Happ trying to steal third base.

Chicago stranded seven runners and made three outs on base.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Cubs: LHP Jordan Wicks (right oblique strain) is in the early stages of his recovery and will not return before the All-Star break, according to manager Craig Counsell.

Giants: LHP Robbie Ray will continue his recovery from Tommy John surgery with a rehab start at Single-A San Jose on Friday. He threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings for Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday after four appearances in the Arizona Rookie League. “Robbie is still on a pretty good pace (to return) around that All-Star break (or) right after,” manager Bob Melvin said. …LHP Blake Snell (sprained left groin) will make his second rehab start for Triple-A Sacramento on Friday. … RHP Mason Black was optioned to Triple-A and LHP Raymond Burgos was designated for assignment.

NEXT ONE

Cubs LHP Shota Imanaga (7-2, 2.96 ERA) will start Thursday opposite Giants RHP Jordan Hicks (4-4, 3.24).

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB