Drew Gilbert gave the Giants the jolt they needed Monday night, and he did it in a way that felt all too familiar for Minnesota. The Stillwater High School product homered and added a two-run single as San Francisco beat the Twins 5-2 to halt a three-game skid.
Gilbert was in the middle of everything early. Brett Harris got the Giants going with a two-run single in the first inning, and Gilbert matched that in the second with one of his own. Then he put the game out of reach for good when he led off the fifth with his 11th homer.
San Francisco’s offense had enough backing from the pitching staff after a shaky start. Brooks Lee opened the fourth with a homer off Giants starter Blade Tidwell, but Tidwell’s night ended after one more batter because of elbow discomfort. He is set to undergo tests Tuesday.
Tidwell had been coming off his first win with the Giants and second of his career in his previous outing at St. Louis.
Tristan Beck picked up the win with 2 2/3 scoreless innings in relief, and Trent Harris handled the ninth for his second save.
There was also a notable moment for Bo Davidson, who recorded his first career hit and stolen base in the first inning. That made him the first Giants player to get a hit and steal a base in his major league debut since Red Tramback on Sept. 15, 1940.
The victory opened San Francisco’s season-ending homestand on a positive note. The Giants have now won three of their last 10 games after being swept by the two-time defending World Series champion Dodgers in Los Angeles last weekend. They finish the homestand against those same Dodgers this weekend.
Minnesota got one more homer late when Emmanuel Rodríguez went deep in the eighth.
Zebby Matthews took the loss for the Twins despite missing bats throughout the night. He struck out nine, his second-highest total this season behind 10 on July 31 at Seattle, and he did not issue a walk. But he gave up five runs and eight hits over five innings.
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