Justin Verlander kept climbing the milestone ladder, earning win No. 264 and reaching 3,520 career strikeouts to move into ninth on the all-time list with a victory that also marked his first win at Oracle Park.
San Francisco benefited from another timely power surge, as Matt Chapman delivered a two-run homer to cushion a 5-2 win over the Chicago Cubs. Verlander pitched six strong innings, and a rally sparked by Luis Matos and Heliot Ramos helped the bullpen close it out, even with the absence of closer Randy Rodriguez.
The win comes at a time when the Giants have struggled to sustain momentum at home, but Tuesday offered a reminder of what this club can do when it plays clean, crisp baseball. Verlander, meanwhile, is chasing more history as he nears the eighth spot on the all-time strikeout list—14 more Ks to reach that milestone.
After the game, Verlander laughed off the idea of the perfect timing and kept the focus on the bigger picture. “No offense, but I wish I had one in 2012,” he said with a smile, referring to the first win at Oracle Park. Giants manager Bob Melvin credited the team’s resilience, noting that the “Giant way” is built on pitching, defense and timely hitting, and expressing optimism that they’re starting to turn a corner after a rough stretch.
The Cubs put together a couple of runs earlier, but Verlander silenced them through six innings, and the bullpen—reloading after the team’s recent injuries—delivered a clean finish. Flores opened the scoring with an early homer, and the late offense provided enough cushion to secure the win.
For Verlander, the night had a personal payoff beyond the numbers. He said he’s tried to stay present, aware of how meaningful every start remains after Tommy John surgery, and he discovered during the game that the eighth-place ground awaits him—Gaylord Perry, according to a teammate who dropped the name in the clubhouse.
With roughly 30 games left in the season, the Giants sit seven games back of the third wild-card spot, and victory on Tuesday offered a glimmer of momentum as Verlander eyes a handful of starts and a possible late surge. It’s a reminder that even in a tough year, individual milestones can light the way for a team’s push.
What this means going forward: Verlander’s pursuit of 300 wins may not be within reach this season, but his continued excellence keeps him squarely in the conversation for a historic career. For the Giants, the win provides a blueprint of what they can accomplish when they execute—quality pitching, solid defense, and timely hitting—sparking hope that a late-season rally isn’t out of the question.
Summary: Verlander notches a landmark win at Oracle Park, ascends to ninth all-time in strikeouts, and helps the Giants snap a skid in a 5-2 victory over the Cubs as they chase a late-season push. The milestone-filled night also fuels optimism about a possible finish on a high note for both pitcher and team.