Walton lifts Giants to win with grand slam

MIAMI >> Donovan Walton. Jakob Junis. Had you heard of them before they became Giants this season?

Two more once-obscure acquisitions have become households names in San Francisco, cementing themselves amongst the lore of Farhan Zaidi-era players such as LaMonte Wade Jr., Mike Yastrzemski and Darin Ruf. A grand slam from Walton and another stellar start by Junis delivered a 5-1 win over the Marlins on Sunday to secure a .500 record on the 10-game road trip.

With a fourth-inning grand slam, Walton shed the nickname Donnie Doubles in favor of a Walton Wallop. His first home run with the Giants — and the first grand slam of his career — traveled 421 feet to right field and was all the offense the Giants needed behind yet another impressive performance from Junis.

With every passing start, Junis, who signed a $1.75 million free-agent

contract this offseason after toiling for five years in Kansas City, is becoming less of a revelation and more of a permanent and valuable asset in the Giants rotation.

On Sunday, he limited the Marlins to a single hit before Garrett Cooper spoiled the shutout with a home run in the sixth inning. He finished six innings while allowing just the lone run and striking out a season-high eight batters, lowering his ERA to a rotation-best 2.51.

Walton, whom the Giants picked up from Seattle last month amid their flurry of moves with Mariners, had eight hits — but only one single — in 36 at-bats since coming over in exchange for pitching prospect Prelander Berroa. Now, eight of his nine hits have gone for extra bases: seven doubles, plus one grand slam.