SAN FRANCISCO — Two Giants rookies reached a big milestone Sunday afternoon with a 7-5 victory over the Marlins at Oracle Park.
Catcher Patrick Bailey hit his first career home run in just his second start, while right-handed reliever Ryan Walker scored his first victory in his major league debut by keeping a clean sheet in six innings.
JD Davis also hit deep and scored a two-run run, helping the Giants (22-24) win their second straight series, wrapping up the homestand with a 5-1 record against Miami and Philadelphia.
Bailey and Walker, the Giants’ No. 11 contenders in the MLB pipeline, are the latest rookies to make an immediate impact in San Francisco, and they’re also getting a big boost from infielder Casey Schmidt (No. 3 nominee). 383 and .979 OPS through his first 12 games, going 2-for-4 with 1 RBI on Sunday.
Manager Gabe Kapler said, “I think young players always have to expect there will be ups and downs and struggles.” “It’s always great when they go first because it kind of sets the mood and brings a lot of energy to the ballpark.”
The Giants entered Sunday with a .653 OPS against the 28th-ranked left-handed pitcher in the majors, but the early spark came from switch-hitter Bailey, who smashed Marlins starter Jesús Luzaldo’s 98-mph fastball from a full count. In the second inning, he tied the score at 1-1 with a timely hit to the left middle.
Bailey’s homer flew off the bat at 167.4 mph and flew an estimated 423 feet, according to Statcast. Bailey is considered a better left-sided hitter, but his first two hits came from the right side.
“It was crazy,” said Bailey, who made his major league debut on Friday. “It’s so nice to be able to hit all the milestones over the weekend and just kind of settle in.”
Bailey then went from extreme to extreme, fielding a safety squeeze bunt to score Mitch Haniger from third base, extending the Giants lead to 6–4 in the sixth. Still, the 23-year-old made a rookie mistake in the ninth, throwing a ball to first base that allowed the Marlins to allow an earned run from closer Camilo Doval.
Lefty Alex Wood gave up 4 runs on 6 hits in 4 1/3 innings, but most of the damage came from two home runs by Jorge Soler and Nick Fortes. After the Marlins put two runners down with one out in the fifth inning, Wood still has five innings in six appearances this season as Manager Kapler brought in right-hander John Brevia to play against Soler for another quick hook. not finished.
Wood was ejected after throwing 74 pitches and shook his head as he walked toward the dugout.
“It’s hard because you feel like you can’t throw anymore,” Wood said. “It’s like, ‘Is it going to be a perfect five throws or is it pulled on the fifth?'” It’s frustrating. “
Brevia was hit by a tying single by Soler, giving way to Walker. Walker posted a 0.89 ERA in 15 games for Triple-A Sacramento and was called up with Bayley on Friday.
Walker, a 31st-round pick from Washington State University in the 2018 MLB Draft, has been looking forward to his debut all weekend hoping to get a chance to pitch in front of his San Francisco-born wife, Alexis. her family. He finally got the call in the sixth and kept a clean inning centered on two infield hits.
“It felt great,” Walker said. “Of course I was a little nervous like everyone else, but I felt controlled and just played my game.”
“I thought he did a great job,” Kapler said. “It’s not easy to come out in a situation like that, a tie, a high stakes situation, and throw strikes. is a super crook.The ball gets pretty hot.”
Having led the way with a funky crossfire pitch at 98 mph, Walker returned to the mound in the seventh inning, but was ejected after allowing a leadoff single to Xavier Edwards. Jacob Junis and Doval pitched the final three innings out of the Giants’ bullpen and posted a 1.33 ERA in six-game home stands.
The Giants have had more success at home (15-11) than on the road (7-13) this season, but a recent injection of youth will help them head into seven straight games in Minnesota and Milwaukee starting Tuesday. I hope you continue to show your strength. Monday.
“It’s a nice spark,” said Wood. “It was a lot of fun watching those guys. Any help we can get is always welcome. I hope they keep playing well and have good starts.”
