Michael Conforto scored on Mark Canha’s sacrifice fly with one out in the ninth inning, leading the San Francisco Giants to a 3-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers on Friday night after the Giants had been no-hit through six innings.
Canha hit a 2-2 fastball from Shelby Miller deep to left field to bring Conforto home, who had walked earlier. Heliot Ramos started the inning with a ground ball up the middle that Tigers second baseman Colt Keith misplayed, leading to an error. This was the Giants’ 10th walk-off win of the season.
“It was a really special moment for me,” said Canha, who grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and was traded to the Giants from the Tigers at the trade deadline. “Just awesome, awesome feeling. Couldn’t have asked for more for my first day home.
I grew up coming to this place. It means a lot to me. Special, special stadium. I kind of got goosebumps last night when we got in.”
Tyler Rogers (2-3) retired all three batters he faced to get the win.
The Giants struggled offensively over the first six innings against Beau Brieske and Kenta Maeda. San Francisco’s only runner came in the first inning when Ramos walked.
Despite the slow start, the Giants came back to win their third straight game and their 11th in 14 games. “We have so many nice pieces on this team that just bring so much to the table,” said Canha. “So many good hitters and good pitchers. It’s just a matter of coming out and competing every night.”
The Tigers took a 1-0 lead in the second inning after Gio Urshela led off with a double and Ryan Vilade hit a sacrifice fly.
Even though Robbie Ray appeared uncomfortable and pitched mostly in the 80 mph range during the second and third innings, he managed to get through the tough spots and kept the Tigers from scoring again until Javier Báez stole third base and scored on a throwing error by Giants catcher Curt Casali in the fifth inning.
Maeda pitched 4 2/3 innings after replacing Brieske in the fourth, had two strikeouts, and allowed two runs. Jason Foley (3-4) took the loss.
Ray had seven strikeouts in six innings. He gave up five hits and two runs in his fourth game since returning from Tommy John surgery. “I felt great,” Ray said. “I didn’t have any fatigue afterwards. I still felt strong in that last inning.”
