PITTSBURGH (AP) — In a thrilling matchup on Wednesday night, Rafael Devers showcased his exceptional form by hitting his 32nd home run of the season, helping the San Francisco Giants secure a 5-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates in 10 innings. This win not only halted the Pirates' four-game winning streak but also highlighted Devers' impressive performance as he extended his hitting streak to 10 games.
Devers initiated the scoring early in the game, launching a solo home run with one out in the first inning. This came after a dramatic 13-12 loss for the Giants in the series opener, where both teams displayed offensive prowess. In addition to his homer, Devers contributed significantly to the Giants' offense by going 2 for 3 at the plate, complemented by two walks.
The Giants took control in the 10th inning, scoring twice to pull ahead. Bryce Eldridge delivered a crucial RBI double down the left-field line, giving the Giants a 4-3 lead. Turner Hill followed with a sacrifice fly, adding another run. Both runs came against Camilo Doval, who, despite this setback, had an outstanding season, leading the National League with 39 saves in 2023.
In a tense ninth inning, the Pirates had a chance to take the lead with runners on first and second and two outs. However, Hill made a spectacular sliding catch of Nick Gonzales’ sinking liner to left field, preserving the 3-3 tie and setting the stage for the Giants' late-game heroics.
The Pirates managed to score single runs in both the seventh and eighth innings, showcasing their resilience. Rookie Esmerlyn Valdez drew a bases-loaded walk from Brandon Roupp in the fourth inning, contributing to the Pirates' offensive efforts. Roupp, however, limited the damage by allowing only one run and two hits over five innings of work. Similarly, Pirates rookie Bubba Chandler pitched five innings, yielding three runs and five hits.
Jason Foley earned the win for the Giants, pitching a scoreless ninth inning, while Dylan Smith, despite allowing the automatic runner to score in the 10th, secured his fourth save of the season. The Giants' ability to capitalize on opportunities in extra innings proved crucial in this tightly contested game.
Looking ahead, the Giants are set to start right-hander Blade Tidwell (0-1, 4.54 ERA) in the series finale on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Pirates are still determining their starting pitcher, likely opting for a bullpen game as they seek to bounce back from this narrow defeat.
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