San Francisco – The Giants dropped a 2-1 game to the New York Mets, with Rafael Devers’ defensive struggles at first base playing a key role. It was only his third game at the position, and the errors were a noticeable step back from his debut last Tuesday.
Devers scoffed at the idea of playing first base for his former team, the Boston Red Sox. But after being traded to San Francisco, his attitude shifted. On his first day with the Giants, he expressed excitement about the opportunity, saying he couldn’t wait to play the position. Manager Bob Melvin remains confident in Devers and feels he did a good job tonight.
In baseball, the transition from third base to first base is never easy. While Devers is still getting acclimated to his new role, his teammates are also adjusting. A few plays proved difficult tonight, most notably when Juan Soto reached first safely following a fielding error by Devers in the top of the seventh inning.
San Francisco went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position tonight. Devers wasn’t the only player struggling. Robbie Ray pitched 5.2 innings, allowing five hits, two runs, walking three, and striking out three. Since the All-Star break, the Giants’ bullpen has thrown 35.1 innings, the most innings pitched in the National League over that span.
The Giants have struggled in the first two innings, hitting into double plays. They had two singles from Willy Adames and Jung Ho Lee, but Luis Matos hit into a double play to end the threat. San Francisco has had two innings where a batter hit into a double play to end the rally.
Jung Hoo Lee sparked the Giants’ offense when he grounded into a force out that scored Adames, after Matt Chapman singled to lead off the inning. San Francisco quickly took a 1-0 lead but couldn’t score again for the remainder of the game. The Mets’ defense once again stifled the Giants for a second straight night.
Soto led off the sixth inning with a walk, and Starling Marte, who also walked, stole second base. Ray then allowed Mark Vientos to clear the bases with a double, giving New York a 2-1 lead. Ryan Walker then issued back-to-back walks to load the bases but managed to escape the jam by striking out Brandon Nimmo to end the threat.
Giants Welcome Curry’s Eat. Learn. Play.
Today was Stephen Curry Day at the ballpark. In honor of the Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation, founded by Stephen Curry and his wife Ayesha, treated the kids to a special reading session before the game by Josh Bycel, author of the official graphic novel Sports Superheroes. Bycel also threw out the ceremonial first pitch, and children from Eat. Learn. Play. had the opportunity to take photos on the field following the national anthem.
The first 20,000 fans at the sold-out game received a free Stephen Curry bobblehead. The Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation is dedicated to unlocking the potential of every child by addressing their core needs: nutrition, education, and physical activity. With a focus on Oakland and the greater Bay Area, the organization works to ensure that all children have access to the essential resources they need to thrive and grow.
Photo by OraclePark/SFGiants/Twitter
