After a soggy morning, the sun shined on Oracle Park for a few brief moments, as the San Francisco Giants began a new season. The game was a loss for the team, but a win for fans and their family traditions.
The San Francisco Giants are back in the Bay.
After a week on the road to open the 2019 season, the Giants hosted their home opener Friday afternoon against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays. Oracle Park gates opened at 11:05 a.m., with first pitch thrown right on schedule at 1:35 p.m.
Due to wet weather in the forecast, there were worries the game's start time would have to be pushed back.
"Bring your ponchos and be patient and depending on the weather hand we’re dealt it will impact whether you need to put up the poncho or not," said Jorge Costa, Senior Vice President of Ballpark Operation and Facilities.
Fans who arrived at the ballpark were treated to pregame festivities, including live music and a special ceremony honoring firefighters who risked their lives battling Northern California's historic wildfires. The first 40,000 fans in attendance at the home opener received an opening day calendar courtesy of Oracle.
Throughout the season, the Giants will have plenty of promotions and giveways for fans, including a Willie Mays bobblehead day and fireworks nights. The team also has a plethora of special events scheduled, such as a "Game of Thrones" night and a Metallica night.
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This season at Giants home games, fans will also get a chance to commemorate an unforgettable moment in the team's history.
The Vault at Oracle Park will be highlighting the world series game in 1989 where a magnitude 6.9 earthquake hit the San Francisco Bay Area, killing 67 people.
The first week of the new season wasn't kind to San Francisco, a team that features a number of new players up and down the roster. The Giants dropped three of four against the San Diego Padres in the first series of 2019 before losing two of three to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Right-hander Dereck Rodriguez (1-0, 3.60 ERA) will look to get the Giants back on track when he takes the hill Friday afternoon. He'll be facing a 5-2 Rays squad that already has series wins against Houston and Colorado under its belt. Right-hander Tyler Glasnow (1-0, 1.80 ERA) is slated to toe the rubber for the Rays.
