San Francisco Giants avoid sweep; in three-way tie for final Wild Card slot
Aug 23, 2023, 5:15 PM
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 23: Paul DeJong #18 of the San Francisco Giants is congratulated by pitcher Alex Cobb #38 after hitting a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a game at Citizens Bank Park on August 23, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
(Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Paul DeJong had a memorable first day with the San Francisco Giants with a two-run homer in the fourth inning and a two-run single in the 10th in San Francisco’s 8-6 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday.
San Francisco salvaged the final game of the three-game series to finish 2-4 on the trip, rebounding after closer Camilo Doval blew a three-run lead in the ninth inning on Bryce Harper’s homer that rang off the foul pole in right field. It was Doval’s fourth straight blown save and second in two days after recording 33 saves in 36 opportunities. Since Aug. 5, the Giants are 5-12 and have fallen from the top wild-card spot into a tie for the third spot.
In the 10th, DeJong singled to center off Craig Kimbrel (7-4). Thairo Estrada’s sacrifice fly provided an extra cushion for Ryan Walker, who got his first save of the year as the 10th Giants pitcher of the day. Jakob Junis (3-3) was the winner.
PAUL DEJONG PAUL DEJONG PAUL DEJONG pic.twitter.com/8dmGATMrms
— SFGiants (@SFGiants) August 23, 2023
DeJong, a seven-year veteran mainly with St. Louis, signed with the Giants on Tuesday. He was traded to Toronto at the deadline, then released by the Blue Jays on Monday after starting shortstop Bo Bichette returned from the injured list.
In his second at-bat of the afternoon in the fourth, DeJong turned on Michael Lorenzen’s fastball and jerked it into the bleachers in left field for a two-run homer that gave San Francisco a 4-0 lead.
Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner homered for the Phillies, who split the six-game season series with San Francisco and remained 3 1/2 games ahead of Chicago for the top spot in the NL wild card.
Lorenzen allowed eight hits and four home runs in 5 1/3 innings. Since his no-hitter at Citizens Bank Park on Aug. 9 against Washington, Lorenzen has thrown nine innings, allowing 16 hits and 10 earned runs in two losses.
Wilmer Flores was 2 for 4 for the Giants. He had solo homer in the first inning and a single in the third.
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