SF Giants’ Kyle Harrison lives up to hype in debut, but Phillies win on a walk-off

Camilo Doval blew the save in the ninth inning, wasting an impressive debut from the Giants’ top prospect

PHILADELPHIA, PA — Kyle Harrison couldn’t help but notice the commotion.

His teammates chastised him. Fans booed him.

“I’m just saying you need to be up there. And so forth. “You hear it,” Harrison said the day before making the most-anticipated Giants prospect debut in a decade. “I can hear the noise.”

Harrison either tuned out the noise, the most he’s ever experienced on the mound, or thrived on it in front of 40,420 rabid fans, under a cotton-candy sky on a Tuesday evening and three levels of grandstands. In any case, in a setting far removed from the De La Salle campus or Triple-A Sacramento, Harrison largely lived up to the billing, with the understanding that this would never be a seven-inning or 100-pitch debut.

The Giants recognized the challenge that the Phillies’ loaded lineup posed. Even on a pitch count, they thought Harrison was ready.

And in 313 innings of work, he put them in position to capitalize on the little offense they had, an error-fueled run in the first and a two-RBI double from Joc Pederson in the fifth, to avenge Monday night’s humiliating loss and even their three-game series with the wild card leaders. But, with a 3-2 lead, an erratic Camilo Doval loaded the bases, allowing Trea Turner to line a game-winning, walk-off single off Doval’s glove and past Thairo Estrada to send the Giants down 4-3.

“Obviously, it would have been much more satisfying for us to come back in after a quality debut and win the baseball game,” said manager Gabe Kapler afterwards. “You fight to get to the ninth inning, and you believe you have the best closer in the game to win the game.” It’s disheartening. It definitely hits you in the gut.”

The Giants’ loss was their 12th in their last 16 games, putting them four games behind the Phillies and tied for the third and final wild card spot with the D-backs. With a win, Arizona, which was up 3-0 at the time of this story, would knock the struggling Giants out of the playoff picture.

It also ruined the Giants’ top pitching prospect’s otherwise impressive debut.

Harrison, 22, became the San Francisco Giants’ youngest pitcher since Madison Bumgarner when he fired a 94.3 mph fastball past Kyle Schwarber that popped into Patrick Bailey’s glove for the first strike of his major-league career. Knowing the significance, Bailey tossed the ball back to the visiting dugout for a keepsake, just as Harrison did 10 pitches later, when Harrison painted the inside corner with another heater — 95.8 mph — freezing Turner for his first career strikeout.

“It was a really cool experience,” Harrison said. “I had nerves, but once I threw the first pitch, it was the same game.” I wish I could have had a better outcome.”

Harrison had sat at his locker, between Wade Meckler and Scott Alexander, for about two and a half hours earlier, taking it all in. Harrison and his blond mop, dressed in a black shirt, black shorts, and graphite slides, made small talk with Triple-A teammate Tristan Beck — what undershirt to wear, what a strange selection of music for the pregame mix, ranging from mellow folk (Hans Williams) to red-dirt country (Tyler Childers).

While mental skills coach Harvey Martin tossed a football around with Logan Webb and Alexander, Drew Robinson’s dog, Ellie, played fetch, and Alex Wood and Luke Jackson sat around the card table, he sat there, alternating between his iPhone and breaking in his brand-new black-and-orange Adidas spikes.

He then went into Kapler’s office, where the manager asked him a question.

“I just asked him if he was nervous,” said Kapler. “‘Yeah, I’m a little nervous,’ he said. ‘I believe I’ll be fine after the first pitch.’ That’s fantastic, I said. I believe that nerves are beneficial to baseball players. They can focus your attention, and if you’re thinking about pitching in a lane, they can put you right in it. A little extra adrenaline or nerves can sometimes cause you to throw a little harder. It all comes down to how you channel it. Kyle didn’t appear to require any advice.”

Camera shutters clicked as he stepped out of the dugout for the first time, 35 minutes before first pitch, to begin his warm-up routine. He walked up the stairwell to the upper level of the two-tiered bullpen beyond the center-field wall, where fans lined the rail, some wearing Giants gear but mostly rooting against him.

“Don’t throw a meatball to Schwarber!” someone yelled at him.

While Harrison’s command was excellent, throwing 43 of his 65 pitches for strikes, there were a few he’d like to have back, including the one that ended his first at-bat against Schwarber. That heater got a little too close to the plate, and the lanky lefty smacked it down the right field line for a leadoff double. A couple batters later, Bryce Harper drove in the only two runs on Harrison’s pitching line, sending a slider into the right-field seats.

“He’s got me,” Harrison explained. “Obviously, it’s not your ideal debut, but we’ll build on it.”

Harrison’s final line: 313 innings, 5 hits, 2 runs, 1 walk, 1 hit batter, 5 strikeouts. It was a roller coaster ride: his first time through the order, the only balls put in play went for extra bases, but there weren’t many. He induced 14 swings and misses, 11 of which were on his electric fastball.

He reached 97.6 mph before rearing back to get Alec Bohm looking to end the first inning. Carlos Rodón was the only other left-handed starter in the pitch-tracking era (since 2008) to reach that level in a Giants uniform. It explains why Harrison was welcomed with such pomp and circumstance. He’s a one-of-a-kind.

“It wasn’t just major league hitters; it was really good, right-handed major-league hitters that he was throwing the ball by,” Kapler explained. “I’ve seen a lot of J.T. (Realmuto) and he can definitely catch up to a fastball.” He tossed the ball by J.T. a few times. He threw the ball past Trea (Turner) a few times. (Nick) Castellanos threw the ball a couple of times.

“Those are some outstanding right-handed hitters, especially against left-handed pitching.” It’s just something you don’t see very often, and it’s a good sign of things to come.”

Harrison’s list of strikeout victims includes seven All-Star appearances and five Silver Slugger awards after just one game. It can only get bigger from here.

After allowing a one-out single in the fourth inning, he was greeted by a line of high-fives in the Giants’ dugout.

When asked if this was a spot start before the game, Kapler said, “If Harrison goes out and does his thing, we’re going to try to give him more opportunities.”

So he did his thing. The next step is to do it at home, which is only a short drive from where he grew up. Kapler stopped short of penciling him in for Sunday’s game against the Braves, but one thing is certain: He’ll need a lot more tickets than the dozen or so friends and family who made the cross-country trip for his debut.

“I just saw them; they’re very excited,” Harrison explained. “I can’t wait to see you.” I’m not even interested in knowing (how many guests will be present). It’ll undoubtedly cost me money.”