Rafael Devers came through in the clutch Friday night, sending a 10th-inning ball bouncing over the left field fence to give the host San Francisco Giants a 7-6 walk-off victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
Devers had already gone deep earlier in the contest before stepping back to the plate in the 10th inning against Angels reliever Chase Silseth (3-2). With one out and the bases loaded — after Bryce Eldridge worked a full-count walk — Devers delivered the decisive blow.
Although the ball caromed into the bleachers over a drawn-in outfield, Devers was credited with only a single. Automatic runner Jesus Rodriguez trotted home with the winning run.
Caleb Kilian (3-6) earned the victory after throwing a scoreless top of the 10th, wrapping up the first game of a three-game interleague series.
The Angels had mounted a strong comeback, erasing a 5-1 deficit to knot the score at 6-6 on a two-run home run by Vaughn Grissom — his sixth of the season — in the eighth inning.
The Giants had built that lead thanks in large part to Devers, who crushed his 21st homer of the year, a two-run shot in the first inning. Starter Logan Webb carried a 5-4 advantage into the seventh inning before departing after six frames, having surrendered six hits while walking two and striking out four.
Casey Schmitt added to San Francisco’s advantage with a three-run blast — his 21st homer — in the third inning after Devers was intentionally walked with two outs, pushing the Giants’ lead to 5-1.
San Francisco tacked on an insurance run in the eighth when Daniel Susac delivered a sacrifice fly.
Grayson Rodriguez started for the Angels, pitching four innings and giving up five runs on six hits, with two walks and three strikeouts.
The Angels’ offense was sparked early by triples from Zach Neto, who led off the game, and Tyler Heineman, whose two-run hit to right field in the fifth inning helped account for Los Angeles’ first four runs.
Devers wrapped up the night with three RBIs for the Giants, who snapped a five-game losing streak. He and Eldridge each crossed the plate twice, while Luis Arraez went 3-for-the-night and Drew Gilbert recorded two hits.
For the Angels, who dropped their second consecutive game, Grissom and Nolan Schanuel each had two hits.
