Tyler Fitzgerald got on base with an infield single and scored the winning run in the eighth inning after a throwing error by St. Louis pitcher Matthew Liberatore, helping the San Francisco Giants beat the Cardinals 6-5 on Saturday.
The Cardinals tied the game at 5 with three runs in the seventh inning. In the bottom of the eighth, Fitzgerald hit a single that bounced off Liberatore’s leg. He later scored when Brett Wisley laid down a two-out bunt that Liberatore fielded but threw poorly to first base, sending the ball into foul territory and allowing Fitzgerald to score from first base.
“We’re here at home in front of a full house, and those are important games to play good baseball,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said.
“The fans have supported us all year, and here we are in the position we’re in — and we’re sold out last night, sold out today. It’s a great atmosphere here in this ballpark.”
Matt Chapman hit two doubles, and almost every starter for San Francisco got a hit, resulting in a total of 11 hits for the team. Patrick Bailey contributed two RBIs.
Giants starter Tristan Beck pitched four innings, allowing one earned run and four hits while walking two and striking out one, but he did not get the decision.
This was Beck’s first career start with San Francisco after missing 137 games due to a right arm aneurysm. Since returning to the lineup on September 1, he had appeared in relief seven times, striking out 13 in just over 15 innings.
“It was a nice little cherry on top of what was a long year,” Beck said. “To be able to get the start today, keep the team in a competitive spot — we pulled that one out, and it’s always nice to end the year on a personal high note.”
This win marked the 80th of the season for San Francisco, surpassing last year’s total of 79. The Giants can finish the season at .500 with another win in Sunday’s game.
San Francisco used seven pitchers during the game, with Ryan Walker (10-4) getting the win after a scoreless inning of relief, and Spencer Bivens closing the game with two strikeouts for the save.
“I didn’t expect to be closing the game today, but you’ve got to be ready whenever they call you and it was a fun opportunity,” Bivens said about earning his first career save. “It’s typically not what I do here, so to get another notch on the belt is pretty cool.”
