In a matchup of two promising rookie left-handers, Matt Wilkinson makes his second MLB start for the San Francisco Giants as they look to salvage the finale of a three-game weekend series against the host Boston Red Sox on Sunday afternoon.
The 23-year-old Wilkinson (0-0, 0.00 ERA) aims to follow up his impressive MLB debut on Wednesday as he opposes Boston’s Jake Bennett (7-6, 3.46). He allowed just one hit to the Cleveland Guardians over two scoreless innings while showcasing his unique style, topping out at 91 miles per hour with his deceptive “invisiball.”
“The plan was to get him in there and…set him up for innings later,” Giants manager Tony Vitello said of the 6-foot-1, 250-pound Vancouver, B.C. native.
Indeed, “Tugboat” is set for another voyage, filling what was a to-be-determined spot in the rotation entering the series. He takes the mound after his team’s frustrating finish on Saturday, as the Red Sox rallied for three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning for a 3-2 win.
The result was Boston’s 31st come-from-behind win and fourth walk-off win of the season, as well as San Francisco’s MLB-leading 11th walk-off defeat.
“We’ve been that way for a while now,” Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy said. “We might lose, but you’re going to get our best all the way down to the last strike, the last pitch.”
After second baseman Nick Sogard likely saved multiple runs with a diving catch in the top of the ninth, then hit a game-tying double in the bottom of the ninth, Wilyer Abreu — who struck out in his first four at-bats — produced the game- and series-deciding RBI on a fielder’s choice, scoring pinch hitter Eli White.
“I just tried to stay relaxed, focus on the moment and forget about what happened earlier in the game because it wasn’t my best game,” Abreu said.
At 24-11, including 16-5 at home, Boston remains the best team in the majors since the All-Star break.
On the visitors’ side, it was certainly a tough ending to swallow.
“A heartbreaking loss. There’s no other way to put it,” the first-year skipper said.
That is because Blade Tidwell silenced the Red Sox over 5 2/3 shutout innings, while Willy Adames and Andrew Knizner smoked solo home runs that had the visitors in the lead until the final frame.
San Francisco hit multiple homers for the second straight night. Both Adames (two) and Knizner (three) had multiple hits in the game.
Alas, the Giants dropped to 25 games below .500 and lost a seventh straight series on Saturday, so why not take a longer glimpse into the future with Wilkinson?
“For every team this late in the year, you’re looking for something to separate one day from the next. For us, we’re looking for positive vibes,” Vitello said on Wednesday. “We haven’t created enough on our own, but at the same time, when you can get it from maybe something external or something new and refreshing (like Wilkinson’s debut), it’s helpful.”
As for Bennett, he has taken back-to-back losses — allowing four runs on five hits in both — and three setbacks in his last four starts following a five-game win streak. He pitched a season-low four innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates last Friday and enters this start with extended rest.
“I’m not overly concerned,” Tracy said. “I think he just left some soft pitches in very hittable spots is all it was. They were obviously able to string some together. (He) didn’t get balls on the corner.”
–Field Level Media
