Patrick Bailey saves the day after SF Giants nearly waste masterful effort from Logan Webb
The Giants walked off the Rangers, 3-2, in their series finale Sunday on a two-run home run from Patrick Bailey
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — It took a walk-off home run from Patrick Bailey in extra innings on Sunday for the Giants to take one of three games against their former manager’s new team.
Logan Webb pitched a masterful game for the Giants, but it was nearly all for naught when manager Gabe Kapler pulled him with two outs in the ninth, only for Camilo Doval to allow the Rangers to tie the game and take the lead in the 10th, before Bailey blasted a two-run walk-off homer over the Chevron sign in left field.
The Giants won for the second time in eight games, 3-2, snapping a four-game losing streak and avoiding a sweep by Bruce Bochy and the Rangers.
“That would have been a heartbreaking loss,” Kapler said.
Bailey’s walk-off homer was the Giants’ youngest since Pablo Sandoval, 22, did it against the Nationals in 2009.
“I was hoping it would get over the fence while I was watching it,” Bailey said. “I wasn’t certain. It was a low-powered drive. I was hoping it was hooking enough to stay away from the little car that peeks over the fence. It was probably the coolest feeling I’ve ever had when it went over.”
While it was Bailey’s first walk-off of the season, it was only the most recent example of him coming through in crunch time. With a ninth-inning homer, he helped deliver a win at Citi Field, and he sealed a win over the D-backs by back-picking to first to record the final out on the base paths.
“It’s fantastic, but it’s not surprising,” Kapler said of the heroics of the 24-year-old. “He’s done nothing but come up in big moments, make big plays, and do a really good job of leading our pitching staff since he got to the big league level.”
On Sunday, Bailey pitched 823 innings of scoreless relief, outdueling Rangers right-hander Dan Dunning.
The Giants were one out away from winning in regulation — and Webb from his second complete-game shutout — when Kapler emerged from the dugout to boos from the 35,648-strong crowd. Those boos quickly turned to cheers as Webb walked off the mound, only to be followed by another round of boos as Kapler returned to the dugout.
“There were a lot of boos, and then a lot of cheers,” Webb explained. “I wasn’t booing Kap out there.” I completely understood why you gave the ball to the best closer in baseball. It didn’t bother me. I was more upset with myself for allowing that base hit.”
The Rangers’ tying run scored from second base on an infield single by the first batter Doval faced in the ninth inning, and San Francisco scored the game-winning run on a balk by Doval in the top of the tenth.
J.P. Martinez of the Rangers lined Webb’s 107th pitch of the game into right-center field in the ninth inning and hustled to second base.
Rather than pitching to Webb again, Kapler went to Doval, who induced a soft-hopper from Ezequiel Duran into the gap between shortstop and third base. Crawford gloved the ball to his right while Martinez ran aggressively to third base. Crawford had the option of eating the throw and giving Doval a chance at the next batter, but instead he heaved it to first, allowing Martinez to round third and score standing up.
Kapler described the decision to pull Webb as “extremely difficult,” but he saw it as “giving the ball to Doval” rather than “taking the ball from Logan.”
“In that situation, I’ll always trust Logan.” But I have the same faith in Doval,” Kapler said. “I was confident Doval would come in and get a swing and miss or a soft ground ball like the one he got.” He obtained it, but it did not work out. It’s all part of the game.”
Kapler said he didn’t blame Crawford for attempting the game-winning play.
“He doesn’t know where the runner is in space,” said Kapler. “He’s chasing the baseball.” The play at first base was close enough that he’s mentally noting it. If he knew where the runner was, he might come up and eat it. But, given the circumstances, I have faith in him to make that decision.”
Michael Conforto’s solo shot in the second inning provided the Giants’ only offense before Bailey’s blast. It was his second home run in as many games, giving him as many as he had in the previous two months. Conforto recorded consecutive multi-hit games for the third time this season, and the first time since the final two games of May.
The Giants failed to provide Webb with more than two runs for the 21st time in his previous 34 starts.
Webb retired 15 of the final 18 Rangers he faced after starting a 1-4-3 double play to get out of a two-on, one-out jam in the fourth. Kapler said Webb was “putting it wherever he wanted it” with his changeup on 63% of his pitches, while Bailey said it was “probably the best pitch in baseball.”
“It’s just unfortunate that I wasn’t able to finish it in that moment,” Webb explained. “I looked up at the time.” I was hoping to finish in under two hours. That was all I was concerned about.”
Conforto’s shot to straightaway center in the second inning was all the Giants could muster against Dunning, who sliced through San Francisco’s flailing lineup like butter.
Dunning, who had only a 6.34 K/9 entering Sunday, struck out a career-high 12 Giants, including three in a row to end their best scoring chance aside from the two home runs.
Following Bailey’s poke into left field to start the fourth, Conforto laced a sharply hit grounder under first baseman Nathaniel Lowe’s glove for his second hit of the game, giving the Giants runners at the corners with nobody out. However, J.D. Davis proceeded to swing at two pitches outside the strike zone before watching strike three down the middle, and Blake Sabol and Heliot Ramos both struck out.
Bailey’s walk-off homer was their first hit in 11 chances with runners on base, leaving nine men on base.
“Conforto getting going is huge for us,” Kapler said. “In any given game, we’re relying on one, maybe two bats.” Having several of them running at the same time is what will propel us to many victories. Obviously, we had multiple opportunities to do damage today and not have such a close game, and we didn’t capitalize on that.”
Taking advantage of a victory Sunday was especially significant in light of the Giants’ recent struggles and the difficult road ahead.
The Tampa Bay Rays (71-49) will play three games at Oracle Park beginning Monday, before the Giants make their final trip to the Eastern time zone for a series against the MLB-best Atlanta Braves (75-41) and a crucial wild-card game against the Philadelphia Phillies (65-53). They won’t have a break from playoff teams until they host the Rockies beginning Sept. 8.
“As a group, we just need to start playing a little bit better,” Webb said. “It’s been a difficult stretch for us.” Hopefully, this win lifts our spirits a little bit, and we can get back to playing good baseball and winning some games.”
