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See top photos from the SF Giants’ 2023 home opener

An announced crowd of 40,711 filled Oracle Park on Friday afternoon for a 3-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals.

A packed baseball stadium shows teams lined up on the field with a large flag at home plate and blue streamers falling over the crowd.
Streamers are released at the conclusion of the national anthem at the opening home game of the San Francisco Giants’ 2023 season. | Ezra Shaw/Getty Images | Source: Getty Images
By Ethan Kassel

The San Francisco Giants played their first of 81 regular season home games on Friday afternoon, falling 3-1 to the Kansas City Royals. Alex Cobb allowed just two runs over seven innings, but the offense mustered just five hits against Royals starter Brad Keller and three relievers. Joc Pederson’s ninth-inning triple was San Francisco’s lone extra-base hit, and he was unable to score as Kansas City closer Scott Barlow got a pair of strikeouts and help from former Giant Matt Duffy, who made a diving catch to snare a Thairo Estrada liner.

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Rookie Blake Sabol’s RBI single in the second inning accounted for San Francisco’s only run. He also made a sliding, juggling catch in left field before being forced to move to catcher when Roberto Perez left the game with an injured arm. Vinnie Pasquantino homered in the top of the fourth to put the Royals back on top, and Salvador Perez provided Kansas City with an insurance homer in the eighth.

A mascot in a Giants jersey with orange glasses stands on a baseball field with arms raised, while players line up and spectators fill the stadium seats.
Giants mascot Lou Seal pumps up the crowd during pregame introductions. | Loren Elliott/MLB Photos via Getty Images | Source: MLB Photos via Getty Images
Longtime San Francisco Giants clubhouse manager Mike Murphy gestures after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch before the Giants' 2023 home opener. | Eric Risberg/AP Photo | Source: AP
Alex Cobb (38) took the mound for the Giants on Friday afternoon. | Ezra Shaw/Getty Images | Source: Getty Images
A San Francisco Giants player is running and clapping near home plate during a game with a large crowd in the stands behind him.
San Francisco Giants center fielder Mike Yastrzemski claps while crossing home plate against the Kansas City Royals during the second inning. | Eric Risberg/AP Photo | Source: AP
A baseball player in a Giants uniform reaches out with a glove to catch a ball near a bright orange wall with large white letters spelling "NOTHING LIKE IT."
Left fielder Blake Sabol makes a sliding catch in the fourth inning. | Ezra Shaw/Getty Images | Source: Getty Images
Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) smiles after his eighth-inning home run. | Ezra Shaw/Getty Images | Source: Getty Images
Two Kansas City Royals baseball players are fist-bumping during a game, with one wearing catcher's gear and the other holding a glove.
Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) shakes hands with closer Scott Barlow (58) after defeating the San Francisco Giants. | Ezra Shaw/Getty Images | Source: Getty Images

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