The San Francisco Giants were losing 2-1 to the San Diego Padres in the bottom of the ninth inning when Heliot Ramos seized the moment, smashing a pitch out of the park and straight into McCovey Cove. Not only did he make history as the first right-handed hitter to homer into the water at the stadium, but he also tied the game with that swing.
Despite the special home run, it wasn’t enough, as the San Francisco Giants lost the game 4-3 after the San Diego Padres scored two runs in the top of the 10th inning, and the home team managed only one more. The Giants’ record now stands at 72-78.
Heliot Ramos, the player responsible for the home run, had four at-bats, scoring one run, recording one hit, and an RBI. It was a productive day for Ramos, who wore the number 21 jersey in honor of Roberto Clemente, a tradition celebrated annually in MLB.
Unfortunately for the San Francisco Giants, the playoffs seem out of reach. According to multiple simulations, they currently have less than a 1% chance of making the postseason, while the Padres and Dodgers have much higher potential for advancing.
Giants’ 2024 Season Woes
Following the loss to the Padres on September 15, the Giants sit in 4th place in the NL West. September has been particularly tough, with the team securing only four wins so far—two of which were in a previous series against the Padres. The Giants have struggled in key areas like runs, RBIs, and hits.
Another major issue throughout the season, especially over the past two months, has been the bullpen. Injuries and poor decision-making from the manager and coaches have turned several games into disasters, such as the infamous August 24 game when Tyler Rogers became the first Giants pitcher to give up six hits without recording an out.
At the very least, thanks to Heliot Ramos, the Giants broke a 38-year drought of not sending an outfielder to the All-Stars team, a milestone that could spark hope for the 2024 season. Still, reaching the playoffs would have been a better outcome.