As Rafael Devers walked to first base in extra innings, he turned around and pointed.
No, he wasn’t motioning for a pinch-runner like I initially thought. (We know how he feels about that.)
He was singling out Bryce Eldridge, as if the 21-year-rookie needed a reminder the game rested on his shoulders.
Devers, apparently, is carrying surreal power not only in his bat, but in his point. Eldridge hit a missile.
One-hundred eight miles per hour off the bat, scorching the sod in center field and tying the game in the 10th.
Devers pointed again at his protégé, who finally shot a look back his direction. Let’s f***ing go.
If the Giants are going to be anything in 2027 and beyond, it’s this. Eldridge and Devers. Devers and Eldridge. The rising tide to lift seven other boats.
Shay Whitcomb and Nate Furman won the game, but Eldridge and Devers saved it.
Up next: Landen Roupp (8-13, 4.17 ERA) and Quinn Matthews (1-2, 4.38 ERA) square off in Game 2 of the series. First pitch at 6:45 pm.