Tristan Beck, Austin Slater shine in SF Giants 8-5 victory over Atlanta
The SF Giants defeated Atlanta 8-5 on Sunday, avoiding a sweep against the winningest team in MLB. San Francisco desperately needed a win to slow down their recent struggles. At risk of falling more than two games out of a playoff spot for the first time in months, the Giants capitalized on impressive performances from several rookies to get the win. They improved to 67-63 on the season and are 1.5 games back of the final National League Wild Card.
SF Giants 3B Casey Schmitt runs the bases against Atlanta on August 27, 2023.
Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Leading the way was Tristan Beck, who received his first MLB start of the season. Beck may not have entered the season with the same reputation as other rookies on the team (he was the 19th-best prospect in the organization in GBI's preseason rankings), but he has been a consistent contributor out of the team's bullpen. In fact, he entered the day second among Giants rookies in bWAR (1.4).
A lifetime starting pitcher, it seemed like Beck had earned an opportunity to start months ago, but manager Gabe Kapler has been hesitant to give him that opportunity. When he finally got the opportunity to start on Sunday, Beck capitalized.
A former Stanford star, Beck turned in an outing that could strengthen arguments on either side of the equation. He dominated one of the most talented lineups in the major leagues for four innings, not allowing a single baserunner. However, as his pitch count eclipsed 60 in the top of the fifth inning, he looked human.
Beck got himself in trouble by walking Matt Olson to lead off the fifth. After a groundout, he surrendered a double to Eddie Rosario, that was easily the best-hit ball against him on the day. With runners on second and third, Beck allowed a two-RBI line drive single to Travis d'Arnaud before an infield hit by Orlando Arcia led Kapler to pull him from the game.
On one side of the argument, Beck's struggles in the fifth inning proved he is best as a reliever. On the other, Beck allowed just four hard-hit balls and one walk across 4.1 innings pitched while racking up five strikeouts against the best team in the league. Prior to Sunday's game, when he threw 70 pitches, Beck had only thrown more than 48 pitches in an outing once since the start of June. It's easy to envision him remaining effective deeper into games with a chance to return to a starter's routine.
Alexander allowed one of the runners he inherited from Beck to score on a single by Nicky Lopez. Left fielder Heliot Ramos seemed to throw out d'Arnaud at the plate, but a wide slide enabled the veteran infielder to avoid a tag from Patrick Bailey. Then, he escaped the inning on a wild double play.
Alexander induced a ground ball from Ronald Acuña Jr. that was fielded cleanly by J.D. Davis at first base. Davis prematurely tossed the ball to Alexander, who was slow trying to cover first base. Luckily, second baseman Thairo Estrada had hustled over to cover. So Alexander caught the throw from Davis with his barehand and quickly tossed the ball to Estrada for the out. Amidst the chaos, Arcia attempted to make a dash for home plate. Estrada reacted well and threw home. The throw pulled Bailey up the line, but he hauled it in and tagged out Arcia just in time (Arcia was called safe live, but the call was overturned upon a replay review).
Offensively, the Giants gave Beck some early run support each of the first two frames. Austin Slater scored the first run of the game after working a lead-off walk against Atlanta starter Jared Shuster. Slater eventually advanced to third base and scored on an RBI single by Davis.
In the second inning, the Giants needed just one swing of the bat to get a run. Rookie Casey Schmitt demolished a 2-2 changeup from Shuster, sending it deep into the left-field bleachers (425 feet). It was Schmitt's first major league home run since May 11th.
The Giants responded quickly to losing the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Another rookie, Luis Matos, sparked a rally with a bloop hit that he hustled into a one-out double. Matos advanced to third on a single by Slater and scored after relief pitcher Colin McHugh walked back-to-back hitters. Then, with the game tied and the bases loaded, Bailey lined a ground ball past Olson for a bases-clearing double.
Alexander allowed a two-run homer to Marcell Ozuna, which cut the Giants lead to one in the top of the sixth, but San Francisco's offense answered once again. Rookie Wade Meckler (pinch-hitting for Ramos) worked a lead-off walk and advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Schmitt. McHugh intentionally walked left-handed pinch-hitter Joc Pederson (hitting for Matos) to bring Slater to the plate.
Slater has always been far more productive against lefties than righties during his career, but he managed to overcome the platoon disadvantage, lining an RBI single into center field. Sunday's performance was easily Slater's best game in months. He finished 2-for-3 with two walks, two runs, and an RBI.
Then, with runners on the corners, Estrada laid down a beautiful bunt for a hit that scored Pederson, giving the Giants an 8-5 lead.
With an 8-5 lead, the Rogers twins handled setup duty, not allowing a run across 2.1 combined perfect innings of work. While Tyler Rogers was tasked with the heavier workload (1.1 innings), Taylor Rogers recorded his 500th career strikeout. The duo set the stage for closer Camilo Doval to try and bounce back from his worst stretch of the season.
Doval, who had not recorded a save since August 2nd, had blown a save in each of his last four appearances. With three days of rest since his last outing, Doval entered with a three-run lead and quelled concerns about his status. The hard-throwing righty located his pitches well, struck out two, and did not allow a baserunner. He now has 34 saves on the season.
Following the win, the SF Giants will send top pitching prospect Kyle Harrison to the mound on Monday in his first start at Oracle Park against the Cincinnati Reds. Harrison will face rookie Reds southpaw Andrew Abbott. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 PM Pacific at Oracle Park.
