Rafael Devers homered in his first at-bat and drove in the winning runs with a two-run single in the 10th inning as the San Francisco Giants rallied for a 7-6 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night.
Devers finished with four RBIs, Casey Schmitt added a three-run homer, and the Giants snapped a five-game losing streak despite letting leads of 5-1 and 6-4 slip away. San Francisco needed one final rally in extra innings after the Angels fought back with timely hitting late in the game.
The Angels received a game-tying home run from Vaughn Grissom in the eighth inning but could not capitalize after a costly baserunning mistake in the 10th.
Giants Build Early Advantage
San Francisco wasted little time taking control against Angels starter Grayson Rodriguez.
Devers opened the scoring in the first inning by driving a two-run home run to the opposite field, giving the Giants an early 2-0 lead.
The Giants added three more runs in the third after the Angels intentionally walked Devers with two outs. Schmitt made Los Angeles pay for the decision by launching a three-run homer, stretching the lead to 5-1.
Bryce Eldridge reached base twice before scoring two runs, while Luis Arraez and Drew Gilbert each collected two hits to help pace San Francisco’s offense.
Rodriguez battled through the early damage but could not prevent the Giants from building a sizable advantage.
Angels Fight Their Way Back
Los Angeles chipped away throughout the middle innings and eventually erased the deficit.
Logan Webb kept the Giants in control early, allowing four runs on six hits over six innings while striking out four and walking two. However, the Giants’ bullpen could not preserve the lead after Webb departed.
The Angels continued applying pressure before Grissom delivered the biggest hit of the night for Los Angeles.
In the eighth inning, Grissom connected for a two-run home run that tied the game at 6-6, completing the comeback after San Francisco had twice appeared to take command.
Grissom also added another hit earlier in the game, finishing with two hits while helping fuel the Angels’ offense.
Defensive Play Changes The Game
The Angels threatened to take the lead in the 10th inning before San Francisco came up with one of its biggest defensive plays of the season.
Grant McCrary, who entered the game as a pinch hitter in the ninth before remaining in center field, caught Wade Meckler’s fly ball with the automatic runner on base.
After making the catch, McCrary fired a strike to third base to double off Grissom, ending the inning and preventing the Angels from putting the go-ahead run in scoring position.
The defensive gem shifted the momentum back to San Francisco heading into the bottom half of the inning.
Devers Finishes It
The Giants quickly created another scoring opportunity in the 10th.
Automatic runner Jesus Rodriguez advanced to third on Arraez’s soft single before Heliot Ramos grounded out. After Eldridge worked a walk, Devers stepped to the plate with two runners aboard.
Facing Angels reliever Chase Silseth, Devers drove a deep fly ball to left that bounced on the warning track before carrying into the stands. The hit brought home Rodriguez and Eldridge, giving the Giants a dramatic walk-off victory.
Caleb Kilian earned the win after retiring all three batters he faced in the top of the 10th.
The victory ended San Francisco’s five-game losing streak and spoiled another determined comeback effort by the Angels.
Up Next
The series continues Saturday with Giants left-hander Robbie Ray, who enters with an 8-6 record and a 3.33 ERA, scheduled to face Angels right-hander Ryan Johnson, who is 2-4 with a 6.10 ERA.
