Saturday night at Oracle Park was a night to remember, not just because Logan Webb was on the mound for the San Francisco Giants. Rafael Devers decided to put on a show of his own, launching two home runs, one of which grazed the foul pole down the right field line. And as fate would have it, this spectacle took place on Devers' bobblehead night, adding an extra layer of excitement for the fans in attendance.
For those lucky enough to be there, Devers' fireworks meant a delicious bonus: free Chick-fil-A, courtesy of one of the many fun promotions the Giants host at Oracle Park. It seems even the promotions had a bit of magic in them that night.
After the game, the spotlight turned to manager Tony Vitello, who had plenty to say about Devers’ dazzling performance, Webb’s masterful outing, and yes, even the food promotion. Vitello, in his first year at the helm, couldn't help but draw a tasty parallel between Webb’s performance and a Chick-fil-A meal.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting. The team gets Chick-fil-A on their flights, so Vitello might not be rushing to his local restaurant anytime soon.
But when it came time to evaluate Webb’s performance, Vitello nailed it with a comparison that was as satisfying as a basket of waffle fries. “Like waffle fries from Chick-fil-A - really really good,” Vitello said with a chuckle, as captured by KNBR.
Despite not being at full strength, Webb powered through, delivering a gritty performance that was even more impressive given his under-the-weather status. That seventh inning he pitched?
A bonus, as Vitello put it, a testament to Webb's resilience.
Webb’s stat line was a thing of beauty: seven innings of one-hit ball against the Atlanta Braves, with two walks and six strikeouts, trimming his season ERA to a tidy 3.09. This final June start capped off a remarkable month for the right-hander, who returned from the injured list in late May.
His June numbers were nothing short of spectacular: a 3-1 record, a microscopic 0.71 ERA, and a season ERA that plummeted from 4.82 to 3.09. Over 38 innings, Webb allowed just 19 hits, four runs (three earned), and four walks, while striking out 29.
Opponents managed a paltry .148 average against him, and his WHIP was a stingy 0.61. Webb consistently delivered, going at least seven innings each outing, and even reaching eight innings in three consecutive starts from June 8-21.
It’s clear that Webb has shaken off the early-season rust. Now, all he needs is a side of waffle fries to celebrate his sizzling June.
In Other News...
Giants Just Moved On From Buddy Kennedy And It Says Plenty
Buddy Kennedys stop with the Giants was short and fairly ordinary, which is part of why the move was easy to read. The 27-year-old veteran infielder had been used around the diamond this season, and his limited run in San Francisco never gave the club much reason to keep him in the mix after a handful of quiet games. His major league track record has been that of a depth piece more than a fixture, and the Giants have now chosen to clear the spot.
What makes the move worth noting is the contrast between his big-league struggles and the bat he showed in Sacramento, where he put together a much better stretch at Triple-A. Kennedy has bounced through several organizations since Arizona drafted him in 2017, which makes this latest change feel more like another turn in an already winding career than a surprise. Still, the timing suggests the Giants were ready to pivot, even if his next opportunity now belongs to another club. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Rookie Drew Cavanaugh Delivers A Debut Fans Will Absolutely Love
Drew Cavanaughs first day in the majors came with a little more responsibility than most rookies can expect, and the Giants handed it to him right away. Called up after Daniel Susac landed on the injured list, the 2023 17th-round pick out of Florida Southern stepped behind the plate in his MLB debut and caught Trevor McDonald, a big leap for a player who was still climbing through the system not long ago.
Cavanaugh also checked off the first-hit box in the fifth inning, giving his debut the kind of finishing touch that tends to stick with a clubhouse and a fan base. After the game, he handed the authenticated ball to his mother, a simple gesture that fit the moment and made the whole night feel a little bigger than a standard roster move. [Read more 🡒]
Giants Grind Out Another Tight Home Win To Take The Series
Robbie Ray gave the Giants exactly the kind of start they have been leaning on during this home stretch, working deep enough to keep the game in their hands and limiting Atlanta to one unearned run. San Francisco did just enough behind him, with Luis Arraez picking up a run scored and an RBI and the Giants turning two Braves errors in the sixth inning into the lead they would not give back in a 3-2 win.
The finish still had plenty of tension. Atlanta kept pushing late enough to force San Francisco to guard every pitch, but Caleb Kilian handled the ninth and closed it out as the Giants continued to stack one narrow home win after another. It was the kind of series-clinching result that can quietly matter in the bigger picture, especially for a club that keeps finding ways to win games that stay tight deep into the night. [Read more 🡒]