One of the biggest power outbursts of the season for the San Francisco Giants provided a glimpse at what could have been — and what might be next season.
The Giants will look to build off a homer-heavy attack that powered a 9-5 victory on Saturday as they conclude their final series in the Eastern time zone on Sunday afternoon in Queens, N.Y. against the Mets. New York won the opener 10-6 on Friday.
Giants left-hander Cesar Perdomo (0-0, 2.25 ERA) is slated to make his second big league appearance on Sunday when he starts against Mets right-hander Christian Scott (4-4, 3.80 ERA).
Scott will be tasked with keeping the ball in the ballpark.
Christian Koss and Rafael Devers both hit two homers Saturday for the Giants. Osleivis Basabe hit a two-run homer in the eighth and Grant McCray added a solo shot in the ninth for the Giants, whose six homers were one shy of their season high.
San Francisco went deep seven times on June 5 in an 18-3 rout of the Chicago Cubs, when Willy Adames, Matt Chapman and Casey Schmitt had two homers apiece and Jonah Cox homered once.
With Saturday’s outburst, the Giants (59-84) have 164 homers this season, which puts them on pace for 185. San Francisco has hit at least 185 homers just once since Barry Bonds retired following the 2007 season. The 107-win 2021 squad went deep a franchise-record 241 times.
The Giants’ power output has been solid despite the long-term absences of Chapman (abdomen) and Schmitt (left knee), both of whom are out for the season. Adames hasn’t played since Aug. 23 due to a sprained ligament in his left elbow.
“There’s some exciting names that aren’t with us right now,” Giants manager Tony Vitello said.
Schmitt and Adames each have 21 homers — tied for second on the team behind Devers, whose 35 homers put him within reach of becoming the first Giants slugger with 40 homers since Bonds hit 45 homers in 2004.
The Mets (64-78) also have gotten a glimpse at a potentially brighter future in the power department during a disappointing season.
New York tied a season-high with five homers in Friday’s 10-6 win. The Mets have homered at least once in each of the last six games, a span in which they have 11 homers overall.
The power surge began Aug. 30 — one day after Juan Soto returned following a five-week stint on the injured list. Soto, Francisco Lindor and Marcus Semien, all of whom rank among the top 25 active players in career homers, have teamed up to hit 53 homers this season despite missing a combined 128 games.
In addition, National League Rookie of the Year candidate Carson Benge (16 homers, 20 stolen bases) has a chance at a 20/20 season. Fellow rookie A.J. Ewing hit a two-run homer Saturday, when he also drew a pair of walks in four plate appearances.
“I love the two walks as much as the home run,” interim Mets manager Andy Green said. “I think that’s indicative of him being in a good spot and trusting who he is.”
Perdomo made his major league debut on Tuesday when he allowed one run over four innings of relief as the Giants fell to the Pittsburgh Pirates, 13-12. Scott last pitched Aug. 28, when he took the defeat after giving up three runs over 5 1/3 innings in the Mets’ 3-1 loss to the Houston Astros.
Scott didn’t factor into the decision in his lone start against the Giants on May 24, 2024, when he gave up two runs over six innings in the Mets’ 8-7 loss.
–Field Level Media
