SAN FRANCISCO —The Giants somehow ran out of position players through their first nine innings Tuesday, even with an expanded roster. All that did was lead to a pretty memorable moment at AT&T Park.
Madison Bumgarner came off the bench and lined a single to left in the bottom of the 12th, giving the Giants a 5-4 walk-off win over the Padres. Gorkys Hernandez led off the bottom of the 12th with a triple and Bumgarner ended the night soon after. He then denied a Gatorade bath, effortlessly pushing Alen Hanson away.
The night featured a couple of the second half's best moments, including a throwback to 2014. In the seventh inning, Gregor Blanco hit a two-run double, driving in Joe Panik and Hunter Pence to turn a deficit into a lead. Pence jumped up and screamed as he slid across the plate. Blanco emphatically clapped his hands at second base. It was a fun moment in a season lacking too many of them, and it brought a small crowd to life at AT&T Park.
The vibes wouldn't last long. Will Smith blew the save in the top of the ninth, and on it went.
—- Chris Stratton had some serious command issues and lasted just 4 2/3 innings in his final start of the year. Stratton gave up six hits and three runs while walking five. He got off to a great start this year and had another solid run in late August and early September, but he’ll end the year with a 4.85 ERA.
—- Pence crushed a low slider into the left field seats in the fifth to get the Giants within a run. The ball had an exit velocity of 102 mph. He earlier hit one 108 mph. Dude is still strong.
