On Tuesday night, the San Francisco Giants pulled off a thrilling comeback against the struggling Colorado Rockies, winning 6-5 after trailing 5-2 heading into the ninth inning. A key player in this victory was Willy Adames, who had recently faced a slump, entering the game without a hit in his last 18 at-bats since June 1 and no home runs since May 13.
Adames broke both of those streaks in an impressive fashion, first driving in a run and then hitting a crucial home run to center field. His performance marked a significant turnaround for the shortstop, who has struggled since signing a seven-year, $182 million contract with the Giants last December. Prior to this game, Adames was batting just .193 with a .584 OPS, but his 500th career run and 500th RBI showcased the potential the Giants saw in him.
The groundwork for Adames’ successful outing was laid when Giants manager Bob Melvin gave him a rare rest day, allowing him to reset mentally before the game. “It’s always great when you’re not having your best time out there, just to have a day or two days just to reset and go back to who you are,” Adames said.
His contributions during the game were pivotal, particularly in the ninth inning when he demonstrated patience and determination by working the count and drawing a walk after being down 0-2. This walk loaded the bases, setting the stage for Mike Yastrzemski’s game-winning hit, further exemplifying the Giants’ resilience this season, as they recorded their franchise-record sixth consecutive one-run win.
Adames expressed optimism for the future, saying, “It feels like we never give up. It feels like we always have an opportunity to come back.” The Giants have now completed eight comeback wins of at least three runs in the first 67 games of the season, leading all of Major League Baseball.
This performance indicates that Adames could be turning a corner, potentially revitalizing not only his own season but also bolstering the Giants’ momentum as they continue their campaign. The team’s ability to consistently battle back reflects a strong camaraderie and fighting spirit that could serve them well going forward.