Giants Overcome Pirates with Late Rally, Smith's Key Double
In a decisive ninth inning, Dominic Smith delivered a crucial double, leading the San Francisco Giants to a 4-2 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday.
With one out, Jung Hoo Lee connected for a double down the right-field line off Dennis Santana (3-4). Smith, stepping in as a pinch hitter for Christian Koss, followed with another double to right, bringing Lee home and shifting the score to 3-2. Patrick Bailey then added an insurance run with an RBI single.
Giants reliever Ryan Walker (4-4) showcased his skills by striking out the side in the eighth inning, notably fanning Oneil Cruz with two runners on base and two outs. Randy Rodríguez closed out the game with a flawless ninth inning, securing his third save.
Earlier in the game, Isaac Mattson faced trouble in the top half of the inning, allowing a leadoff single to Bailey, followed by singles from Rafael Devers and Willy Adames, which loaded the bases before he exited. Matt Chapman capitalized on this opportunity, tying the game with a sacrifice fly.
Nick Gonzales initially put the Pirates on the board with a two-out single to left in the first inning.
Jerar Encarnación responded in the fifth, launching a 442-foot home run to left off Andrew Heaney, marking his second homer of the season after hitting one in an earlier 8-1 victory. Unfortunately, he left the game after attempting to beat out a throw at first base in the seventh. An MRI scheduled for Thursday is expected to reveal significant time lost due to a right hamstring injury, according to Giants manager Bob Melvin.
Heaney had a mixed outing, allowing one run and two hits over 4 2/3 innings but had retired 12 consecutive batters after a shaky start. Heliot Ramos began the game with a first-pitch single, extending his on-base streak to a career-high 20 games before Devers was hit by a pitch.
In the fifth inning, Isiah Kiner-Falefa scored on Tommy Pham's sacrifice fly, briefly restoring the Pirates' lead.
Robbie Ray struck out eight batters over six innings for San Francisco, surrendering two runs and six hits.
Cruz replaced Joey Bart in the eighth but struck out on a sinker that Walker left over the plate.
Smith's performance extended his hitting streak to 11 games, matching his career-best stretch from September 4-17, 2020, while he was with the Mets.
The Giants will return home to kick off a three-game series against the Washington Nationals on Friday. Meanwhile, the Pirates are set to feature RHP Paul Skenes (6-8, 2.02 ERA) on Thursday as they begin a four-game home series against Cincinnati, with RHP Brady Singer (9-8, 4.36 ERA) taking the mound for the Reds.
