Giants Hold On for Victory in Long, Back-and-Forth Game
By Steven Kennedy
The San Francisco Giants had a tense moment when LaMonte Wade Jr. struck out with the game tied in the 11th inning. After four hours of play and numerous missed opportunities to drive in a run, it felt like the Giants’ chance to win was slipping away. With 16 hits, six walks, and 27 at-bats with runners in scoring position, the team had been unable to capitalize on their chances, scoring only eight runs.
The game began with high hopes, as the Giants’ home opener saw a packed crowd and a celebration of their stadium’s 25th anniversary. Wade led off the game with a double, and Matt Chapman followed up with an infield single to tie the game. Wade then added a two-run double in the second, but the Giants’ offense struggled to add more.
Starting pitcher Justin Verlander’s day ended early after he allowed three runs in 2.1 innings. His downfall came after Cal Raleigh’s 13-pitch walk, which loaded the bases and led to more trouble. Despite rallying in different innings, San Francisco couldn’t hold on to leads, with Seattle consistently answering back, including scoring three in the 6th after several mistakes in the field.
By the 7th inning, momentum was constantly shifting between both teams. The Giants’ pitchers struggled, with Lou Trivino giving up a two-run homer and Camilo Doval allowing three runs, though they were all unearned. The Giants had opportunities, like in the 9th inning when a runner was on third with no outs, but they couldn’t bring him home.
It wasn’t until the 11th inning when Willy Adames finally stepped up. Despite a frustrating game, Adames, the Giants’ big off-season acquisition, faced a tough pitch from Carlos Vargas. Instead of chasing an outside cutter, he made the necessary adjustment and hit a bloop single to right field, bringing in the winning run.
Though the game had been filled with frustration, the Giants came out on top after a wild and exhausting contest.
