Giants beaten on late-game home run in Miami, 4-1
The Giants played on the East Coast for the first time since 2019 but left their bats at home.
Starling Marte broke open a tie-game Friday night with a three-run home run off Giants reliever Wandy Peralta, giving the host Miami Marlins a 4-1 win.
It was exactly the kind of blow the Giants had been seeking all night but were unable to deliver as they fell to 8-5, wasting another strong performance by starting pitcher Anthony Desclafani.
The Giants managed just four hits and a single run on Evan Longoria’s run-scoring single in the fourth inning against Miami will struggle,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said in a postgame video conference. “That’s not to say it’s not frustrating. It is. That’s not to say we don’t need to string more consistent at-bats together. That’s absolutely true. At the same time I don’t think it’s any time to panic about the way the offense is performing.”
After reliever Matt Wisler (0-2) recorded the first out in the bottom of the eighth, pinch-hitter Jesus Aguilar drew a one-out walk, with Kapler bringing in Peralta to face
Corey Dickerson.
Dickerson, a left-handed batter, slapped a single to left, with Magneuris Sierra coming in to pinch run. Not that Miami needed Sierra’s speed on first, because there was nothing to do but trot around the bases when Marte unloaded his second home run of the season 427 feet to left center field.
“He’s got big power. He punishes mistakes,” Kapler said. “That was just a pitch he’s going to drive more times than not. I think if Wandy could have it back he’d put it in a different location.”
Opposing hitters were 3-for16 against Peralta going in to the inning.
Anthony Bass (1-2), the third of four relief pitchers for Miami, picked up the win with a scoreless eighth and Yimi Garcia finished off the Giants with a 1-2-3 ninth for his third save as the Marlins improved to 6-7.