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PHOENIX – After welcoming Tommy La Stella and Brandon Belt into the fold, the Giants unveiled one of their most complete rosters of the season Thursday afternoon at Chase Field. It took a while, but the offense has finally had a chance to show what it is capable of when it is operating near full force.
Stopped in the first eight innings by right-hander D Merrill Kelly, the Giants came to life early in the ninth to erase a four-point deficit and rally for a spectacular 5-4 victory in 10 innings.
Until his last strike, LaMonte Wade Jr. delivered a two-run, two-run single to tie the game in the ninth, setting up the double go-ahead from new Giants star Kris Bryant in the 10th.
It was the first time the Giants had won by trailing four or more runs in the ninth inning or later since April 18, 1993, when they rallied to beat the Braves, 13-12, in 11 innings, according to the Bureau. of Elias sports.
“We had no reason to win this game,” said Bryant. “Their starter really stopped us. I was part of a few teams that do really well later in the game with their backs against the wall, and this team definitely has it. It’s really fun to be a part of it. It’s fun to contribute to such a great victory.
The Giants only managed three hits against Kelly, and Bryant said he believed the D-backs would fire the veteran straight for the ninth in an attempt to complete his shutout offer. Bryant continued to plan the game for Kelly as he stood in the middle of the field, but when he approached the plate to lead the ninth he found himself facing Arizona reliever Taylor Clarke. .
The Giants trailed 4-0 after a tough start for southpaw Alex Wood, but found new life against Clarke, who was making his first appearance since returning from the injured list. Bryant doubled up and Alex Dickerson scored to put the runners in the no-out corners, and Brandon Crawford called with a double RBI over the right center field wall to reduce the deficit to 4-1.
“For most of the game we didn’t see that strength, that relentlessness,” manager Gabe Kapler said. “But then all it takes is really a round.”
Clarke left without recording an exit and was replaced by Tyler Clippard, who then punched Donovan Solano to load the bases. Belt, who was activated from the injured list on Thursday, slashed the Giants to under two with a straight RBI single, but Clippard struck Buster Posey at bat and pulled Wilmer Flores on a flyout to bring Wade, who was started off without a hit in his first four at bat of the game.
Wade fell behind, 0-2, but struggled to work a full count, then ended the eight shots at bat with a right-field change for a two-run single to tie the game.
“The quality of the strike at batting was excellent,” said Kapler. “You need a fighter to still have stamina at the end of a match, and at the end of a fight, to really hang on and stay with their approach. That’s what LaMonte did.
Tyler Rogers went through a 1-2-3 down the ninth to force extra innings, giving the Giants a chance to cap their comeback in the 10th. Bryant started the round smoking a brace down the left field line to hit La Stella, his former Cubs teammate, and gave the Giants the lead, 5-4.
Jake McGee struck Christian Walker at bat, coaxed a failure from Pavin Smith and caused a flyout from Drew Ellis to end the game and reclaim his 24th save of the year.
After securing their 12th win in 14 games against the D-backs this year, the Giants improved to a Major League record of 69-40, increasing their lead for first place in the National League West to four games against the inactive Dodgers. They’ll now head to Milwaukee, where they kick off a three-game series against the first-place Brewers on Friday night.
When they return home to San Francisco next week, the Giants could regain another key part of their roster, as third baseman Evan Longoria began a rehab mission with Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday and is closing in on a back after missing two months with a dislocated sternoclavicular joint in his left shoulder.
“I think you can sort of see the impact that La Stella and Belt have already had,” Wade said. “Longo is just another great piece to add. This attack is doing well right now, but when we get Longo back it will be even better. It’s really great to see these guys back and healthy and contributing already. It’s great to see these guys again and have them in the clubhouse too. “
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