Catchers Susac blasts first career HR, then adds 2nd in blowout of Brewers

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 30, 2026

Daniel Susac hit his first two career home runs, powering the San Francisco Giants to a 16-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers and providing a much-needed offensive boost from the catcher’s position. With the trade deadline approaching, the Giants are expected to explore roster changes, particularly addressing ongoing struggles at catcher despite Susac’s breakout performance.

SAN FRANCISCO — Daniel Susac delivered a breakthrough performance for the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday, hitting his first two career home runs in a 16-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers at Oracle Park. Susac’s power display provided a rare offensive spark from the catcher’s position, which has been a persistent weakness for the Giants this season.

Susac, a former Rule 5 draft pick, launched his initial homer in the second inning off Brewers starter Thomas Pannone, sending a low changeup 411 feet to center field. This hit marked the first home run by a Giants catcher since June 4, ending a nearly two-month drought for the position. He followed that up with a second home run in his final at-bat against the Brewers’ position player-turned-pitcher Andrew Vaughn, elevating his season total from zero through 44 games to two.

“It was about time,” said Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb, who was on the mound for six innings. Webb held Milwaukee to two runs, helping San Francisco maintain a lead that expanded in a six-run sixth inning and continued through a dominant offensive display.

The Giants came into the game following a sweep by the Kansas City Royals but managed to take two out of three against a Brewers team tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the best record in Major League Baseball. San Francisco’s president of baseball operations, Buster Posey, is expected to begin exploring trades ahead of Monday’s deadline as the team looks to adjust its roster.

Luis Arraez was another standout performer for San Francisco, collecting four hits, including a stolen base, and driving in two runs. His strong showing improved his batting average to .331, the highest in the majors, as he continues to provide consistent offensive production. Arraez’s presence adds complexity to the Giants’ potential roster moves, with his strong performance possibly making him a less likely candidate for trading.

Despite Susac’s two homers, the Giants’ catching situation remains a concern. Since trading Patrick Bailey to Cleveland on May 7, the position has struggled offensively. Bailey had posted a .146 batting average with a .396 OPS for the Giants before the trade; in contrast, he has improved to a .228 average and .655 OPS with five home runs in 43 games for the Guardians. Meanwhile, Giants catchers have hit just .193 with a .562 OPS since the Bailey deal.

Manager Tony Vitello praised Susac’s approach, noting that the young catcher needs to remain confident and continue fighting with two strikes to tap into his power potential. The Giants’ catching corps has been an offensive liability, compounded by previous struggles from Eric Haase before his designation for assignment.

Looking ahead, the Giants embark on a seven-game road trip starting Thursday against the San Diego Padres and will not return to Oracle Park until after the trade deadline Monday. Vitello acknowledged that roster changes are likely as the team prepares for the stretch run. Pitcher Robbie Ray, often mentioned in trade discussions, is expected to take the mound as scheduled in San Diego.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.