SAN FRANCISCO — Patrick Bailey slammed his helmet against the ground and dropped his head. His 106 mph liner had found Pete Alonso’s glove, giving the Giants a sixth loss in eight games since the All-Star break.
It was an unfortunate way for the night to end, but it was really the only way it could have gone. The spotlight Saturday was on first base, where Rafael Devers made his third career start and had a two-hour adventure on the dirt before Alonso’s game-ending grab.
Devers was seemingly in the middle of everything that happened, and his bobble in the sixth inning ended up being a part of the outcome. With two runners on and one out, Devers fielded Brett Baty’s grounder and turned toward the middle of the field.
It looked like he would at least get the force at second and possibly start a huge double play, but he couldn’t get a throw off and instead took the out at first. Mark Vientos followed with a double that easily scored both runners, and that was the difference in the Giants’ 2-1 loss to the New York Mets.
It would have taken a perfect play to turn two, and even if Devers had been able to cut down the runner at second, there was still a chance that Baty would have scored from first on the ensuing double. Vientos’ ball rattled around the left-field corner as the Giants watched their lead disappear.
“Yeah, we had a chance (at the double play), but those are things that are going to happen during the game,” Devers said through interpreter Erwin Higueros. “Unfortunately, they got the hit that scored the runs.”
Devers didn’t get tested in his first two career starts at first base, but the ball found him early and often Saturday.
In the fourth, he charged too hard on a slow roller and couldn’t get back in time to take the throw from Robbie Ray, leading to an infield single that loaded the bases. Devers recovered quickly, though, scooping Matt Chapman’s low throw to complete an inning-ending double play and keep the Mets from scoring. He smiled as he jogged off the field, having made his most notable play to date at a new position.
An inning later, Devers had trouble picking up a ground ball, but it rolled right to first base; he grabbed it there and got an out. It was an odd play, but there was no harm done. His error came in the seventh, when he kicked a Juan Soto grounder. Again, there was no harm done, as the Giants got out of the inning with another double play.
Had the Giants not gone 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position, Devers probably would not have found himself answering questions late Saturday night. But it was another close game, and his defense stood out.
Manager Bob Melvin chalked the whole thing up as a learning experience, and a valuable one.
“I’m glad he got a bunch of balls today,” Melvin said. “The more he gets like that, the more in-between plays and plays where he’s got to make a decision where he’s covering first or going to get the ball, all of those things are going to be good for him at the end 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 won’t start at first on Sunday, but not because of how Saturday went. Melvin said before the game that he planned to give him a breather, but for the most part, the Giants are hopeful that Devers can be their primary first baseman. That would open up a lot of other avenues.
Wilmer Flores has gotten more time this week with Devers no longer at DH, and it’s possible that someone like Heliot Ramos gets a few DH reps if the Giants improve their outfield depth, either this year or next. This also could open up late-season at-bats for Bryce Eldridge, who is starting to find his groove in Triple-A but is still learning how to play first.
Devers is in the same boat, having played third base his entire career before the Boston Red Sox signed Alex Bregman. He was exclusively a DH before being shipped across the country.
It took a month for the Giants to get Devers back on the dirt, in large part because of back and groin tightness. But he’s feeling better physically and is eager to learn. Melvin said before the game that Devers is having fun, and that’s a big part of the push to keep him over there. Thirty minutes before the first pitch on Saturday, Devers sat in the dugout and bounced a ball against a cement barrier, preparing for another night at a new position.
It wasn’t perfect, but he was happy to get the reps. He’s hopeful that much better days are coming in the weeks ahead.
“I think that my responsibility is to improve,” he said. “Day in and day out, as I practice, I will get better.”
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