Kevin Gausman hit a fly ball to the right field and scored the winning run for Giants against the Braves in the 11th. (1:10)
SAN FRANCISCO -- Kevin Gausman heard the boos as he entered the batter's box. He realized immediately that the Giants had lost all their options and were without any position players.
The pinch-hitting pitcher stepped in and gave the ball, launching a full-count sacrifice fly that loaded the bases with San Francisco's base runners in the 11th inning. This allowed them to move up to the top of the NL West standings.
Gausman stated, "Oh man! That was the coolest thing that I've ever done in all my career." It was one of my most memorable moments, Gausman said. It was just crazy.
The Giants were saved by Donovan Solano's COVID-19 injury list. They connected for a tie-breaking pinch-hit homer with two outs to the ninth and moved two games ahead Los Angeles Dodgers (in the division race).
Atlanta's lead in the NL East was reduced to two games by Philadelphia.
There were no Giants pitchers remaining when Gausman (with a.184 season average) hit for Camilo Doval who was a reliever. He had never batted professionally before.
Gausman, giddy, said, "More than anything, I was trying not to look ridiculous, just swing at strikes, take good swings." "I would never have believed I would find myself in this situation when I arrived at the ballpark today."
It's not absurd. Not even close.
Brian Snitker, Braves manager, was caught off guard.
Snitker stated, "I honestly believed he'd take that 3-2 pitch to ensure he didn't extend the strike zone and maybe swing on one over his head or whatever,"
Instead Gausman struck a flyball to shallow left field, and Brandon Crawford won the throw home with an impressive head-first slide. Gausman was cheered by his teammates and chest bumped by his teammates near first base, a day after he suffered his first loss since July 30.
The pitcher said that it was the first time he'd pulled a baseball in the major leagues. He didn't know how to judge the ball or if he had done his job properly. He soon found his answer in the celebration.
He said, "I was stunned when I turned around to see Craw running." "... It was quite cool. It was a great sight for the fans to see a pitcher hitting it in the 11th. ... They booed me when I was named. I believe they thought there were more people on the bench, but they weren't. We didn't have anyone else.
Crawford started the final inning at 2nd base. He advanced on a wild pickoff by Jacob Webb (4-3), which was followed up with an intentional walk to Evan Longoria. Solano was walked with one out to load the bases.
He takes his batting practice seriously. Gausman was described by Gabe Kapler as a "great at-bat" by pitcher and position player. "Had a plan and was trying to get a pitch up in the air. Craw did a great jump, and made a spectacular slide.
Crawford was retired by Tyler Matzek after he grounded him on a grounder, with two outs in 10th, and the bases loaded.
Doval (3-1), pitched an 11th-inning pitch for the win.
The Braves fell 4-2, but rallied in the ninth when Travis d'Arnaud struck a three-run homer. To start the inning, Austin Riley and Adam Duvall both hit consecutive singles against Tyler Rogers. d'Arnaud connected with one out later.
Will Smith, a former Giants relief pitcher, was unable to score and Solano scored.
Brandon Belt was able to hit a two-run homer. Crawford also connected. LaMonte Wade Jr. scored a splash homer.
Logan Webb, San Francisco's starter, struck out nine batters and didn’t walk one. He also allowed two runs on six hits. He was poised to win his 10th consecutive victory dating back to the May 5 loss at Colorado.
"This is what I had been waiting for all of this year. Webb stated that Gaus pitches today, and I was proud to do so. "That was great, it was really fun. That was amazing.
Six of the seven previous wins were in San Francisco. This was their first appearance since May 2019.
Atlanta's 10 last losses were by two runs or less.
CLEARING FENCES
The Giants have won 12 consecutive games since Sept. 5, a record for the longest streak of homers they have had since June 25, 2019 (13 games in succession).
Solano's shot was the 16th pinch-homer for San Francisco in franchise history.
Belt's homer gave him a 10-game winning streak.
TRAINER'S ROHROOM
Braves: Atlanta's series finale against Colorado was cancelled on Thursday. This gave the Braves an advantage when they travel cross-country to San Francisco. Snitker expressed hope that this might be a good thing for everyone, but especially his bullpen. He said, "It's going to be good having that day off."
Giants: Jake McGee, reliever, was placed on the 10-day injury list due to a strain in his right oblique muscle. After being struck on the right elbow by a pitch Tuesday against San Diego, OF Mike Yastrzemski was unable to make his third consecutive start. RHP Johnny Cueto (strained throwing elbow) played catch to 90 feet in the hope that he would throw live batting practice Sept. 27th/28th. He could pitch before the regular season ends. ... OF Alex Dickerson (right-hamstring strain) still requires minor league rehab before he can be activated.
ROSTER MOVE
RHP Jay Jackson was recalled by the Giants from Triple-A Sacramento. INF Thairo Estrado was also optioned to Sacramento.
UP NEXT
LHP Alex Wood (10-4 and 4.08) will make his debut for San Francisco on Saturday. This is his first start since Aug. 26, when he was returning from a COVID-19 bout. Wood said he hopes to get deep into the game and that he will "just take it inning-by-inning and see what happens."
Wood stated, "Get back in and have a few before you go to the playoffs." "Just happy to be back, and to have a chance at winning," Wood said.
RHP Charlie Morton (13-5 and 3.49) pitches for Braves in search of his first win against Giants since Aug. 20, 2015.
