Rookie slugger Bryce Eldridge continues to offer San Francisco hope for the future in an otherwise bleak season for the Giants.
Eldridge hit the longest home run of his young career, and the longest this season at Busch Stadium, in a 10-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night.
The win gives the visiting Giants an opportunity to take another series against the Cardinals when the teams meet on Wednesday afternoon. The Giants posted a home sweep over the Cardinals last week before dropping four games in a row, including the series opener Monday.
Eldridge, who debuted a year ago to the day at the age of 20, drove a pitch from right-hander Andre Pallante an estimated 461 feet over the bullpen in right field for his 17th homer, a two-run shot in the first inning on Tuesday.
Having given the Giants (63-89) the lead, Eldridge stood and admired the blast before going into his trot. The fun moment made him appreciate the progress he’s made in his first full season.
“The growth I’ve had as a player has all been mental,” Eldridge said. “I’ve grown a lot as a person this year, and I credit that for how I’ve developed as a player.”
The Giants took a six-run lead in the third and cruised behind another rookie, right-hander Blade Tidwell, who allowed two runs over 6 2/3 innings to earn his first victory this season. Another rookie, left fielder Turner Hill, hit his first major league homer and made three strong catches.
Eldridge, who added an RBI double, is batting .272 in 443 plate appearances. He also made a nice leaping play at first base on a big-hop grounder for the final out. Being 6-foot-7 certainly helped.
Not many Giants games have gone so well or seemingly as easily.
“This game kicks you in the butt,” said Eldridge, who is kicking it right back.
The Giants will start right-hander Anthony Molina (3-1, 5.24 ERA) on Wednesday. He has made three starts since the end of August, faring well in two but allowing seven runs over three innings in a 7-5 loss against the San Diego Padres on Friday.
The Cardinals (75-77) also have a big-slugging first baseman, Alec Burleson, who hit his 23rd home run Tuesday night. His 111 RBIs lead the majors, and he is tied with Jim Edmonds (2004) for the most for a Cardinals left-handed hitter since the legendary Stan Musial drove in 126 runs in 1954.
Burleson is finishing strong, with 11 hits — including two homers — seven walks and nine RBIs in his past nine games. He performed similarly in September a year ago.
“He’s put himself in that position of just continuing to grind, tailoring his work so he’s [performing] strong late,” St. Louis manager Oliver Marmol said.
Left-hander Matthew Liberatore (5-14, 5.53 ERA) will make his first start against the Giants since 2023. He allowed two runs, six hits and three walks over 4 1/3 innings in his previous start Friday against the Chicago White Sox. The Cardinals won 7-3.
–Field Level Media
