SAN FRANCISCO — There have been at all times going to be rising pains for Rafael Devers at first base. Previous to Tuesday, he’d by no means performed the place within the majors or minors. His first two video games went easily sufficient, however on Saturday evening at Oracle Park, the training curve was on full show.
Devers dedicated an error and several other miscues in his third profession recreation at first base because the Giants misplaced 2-1 to the New York Mets, one among which set the stage for New York’s Mark Vientos to hit a go-ahead, two-run double within the sixth. For Devers, nights like tonight are to be anticipated as he continues to be taught the intricacies of a brand-new place.
“I’m glad that he got a bunch of balls today,” mentioned supervisor Bob Melvin. “The extra he will get like that and the extra in between performs and performs the place he’s acquired to decide — whether or not it’s masking first or going to get the ball — all these issues are going to be good for him on the finish of the day.
“I know a couple didn’t look great, but again, it didn’t cost us and I think the more experience he gets over there, the better he’s going to look. I really did like the fact that he got a bunch of different plays tonight.”
Devers’ most vital mistake of the night occurred within the high of the sixth when the Mets had runners on first and second with one out. Brett Baty hit a grounder to Devers, who turned to fireside to second base to begin a double play however fumbled the change. As a substitute of getting the pressure out at second, Devers may solely document the certain out at first.
That misplay instantly bit the Giants. Now with runners on second and third with two outs, Vientos pulled a double into the left-field nook that drove residence two runs, gave the Mets a 2-1 lead and knocked Robbie Ray out of the ballgame. These have been the one two runs that Ray allowed over 5 2/3 innings of labor.
“We had a chance, but again, those are things that are going to happen during a game,” Devers mentioned by crew interpreter Erwin Higueros. “Unfortunately, they got the hit that gave them the runs.”
Added Melvin: “Sometimes, if you haven’t had that before, the runner’s in your way or you can’t get a clean transfer — it’s a different glove on his hand — there’s a lot to learn over there. He’ll figure it out after a while. From my view, I didn’t see what he was looking at there. Look, it’s not easy. It’s going to be a little bit of a learning curve for him.”
Melvin may’ve went to All-Star reliever Randy Rodríguez to face Vientos, however he mentioned Rodríguez was in “a little different role for him today.” The Giants supervisor added “that’s Robbie’s game right there.”
Devers’ lack of ability to get the runner at second was one among a number of miscues he had on Friday evening.
Within the high of the fourth, Devers helped set the desk for the Mets to load the bases with no outs. With runners on second and third, New York’s Brett Baty hit a sluggish curler to the infield’s proper facet. The ball was nearer to Ray than Devers, however Devers initially charged the ball exhausting earlier than reversing to cowl first. Devers wasn’t in correct place as soon as Ray fielded the ball and Baty beat out an infield single to load the bases.
Two batters later, Devers avenged the error. After Ray struck out Vientos, Devers made a nifty decide to finish an inning-ending 5-3 double play.
Within the high of the fifth, Devers bobbled Brandon Nimmo’s grounder, then kicked the ball round earlier than recovering to seize the ball, step on the bottom and document the out. Devers laughed at himself as he walked again to the place.
“You have to enjoy the game,” Devers mentioned. “You have to learn here and there, but the most important thing is just enjoy the game.”
Devers’ solely official error of the evening occurred within the seventh when he muffed a hard-hit grounder from Juan Soto, his first official error of the evening.
“My responsibility is to improve at that (part of the) game,” Devers mentioned. “I think that day in and day out, as I practice, I will get better.”
Added Ray: “It’s not an easy thing to do — go from third base to DH to first base. He’s kind of learning in on the fly. He’s giving his max effort out there, for sure.”
Devers’ adventurous evening at first may’ve been relegated to an afterthought if the Giants received the sport, however the offense completed 0-for-8 with runners in scoring place on Saturday after going 0-for-8 with runners in scoring place on Friday.
San Francisco had a chance to tie the sport within the backside of the ninth after Jung Hoo Lee hit a one-out double off the bricks in right-center discipline. Per Baseball Savant, Lee’s double would’ve been a house run in each different major-league park. With two outs, Mets first baseman Pete Alonso made a leaping catch to rob Patrick Bailey of a game-tying base hit and finish the sport.
Sunday’s “starter” introduced
The Giants introduced that left-hander Matt Gage will begin Sunday’s bullpen recreation towards the Mets. Gage’s single-game season-high in innings this season is 2 2/3, which he threw for the Detroit Tigers’ Triple-A affiliate.
Carson Seymour, who has made 15 begins with Triple-A Sacramento this season, shall be a candidate to serve within the bulk function after Gage.
Initially Revealed: July 26, 2025 at 7:05 PM PDT
