SF Giants Stun Dodgers with 9th-Inning Rally: Highlights, Key Takeaways & What’s Next

SAN FRANCISCO — The SF Giants gave Oracle Park another instant-classic Friday night, edging the Atlanta Braves 5-4 in 10 innings on a wild pitch that sent rookie Tyler Fitzgerald sprinting home and extended San Francisco’s post-roster-shakeup winning streak to three games. Early Jolt Fuels the Night • The Giants jumped on Braves starter Spencer Schwellenbach for three first-inning runs, capitalizing on two Atlanta errors and sacrifice flies by newly-acquired first baseman Dominic Smith. • Hayden Birdsong struggled with command (five walks) but limited damage to two runs over 4⅓ innings, preserving the lead long enough for the bullpen to take over. Dominic Smith’s Immediate Impact Smith, signed just days after Buster Posey’s front-office shakeup, drove in two runs with sacrifice flies and made a sprawling catch over the first-base railing to snuff out a Braves rally. The veteran is 6-for-14 with six RBI since donning the orange and black, answering San Francisco’s lingering first-base question. Bullpen Holds, Doval Dominates Manager Bob Melvin mixed and matched six relievers. Ryan Walker surrendered a game-tying two-run homer to Matt Olson in the seventh, but Camilo Doval electrified the home crowd with a three-strikeout, 1-2-3 ninth against Atlanta’s heart of the order. Fitzgerald’s Redemption Picked off to end the ninth, Fitzgerald began the 10th as the automatic runner. After advancing to third on Jung Hoo Lee’s grounder, the 26-year-old showcased his wheels, motoring home when Pierce Johnson spiked a 1-0 curveball. The sprint was Fitzgerald’s second game-winning run this homestand and cemented his status as a spark plug off the bench. Key Numbers • 3-0: Giants record since Posey’s roster overhaul that designated veteran LaMonte Wade Jr. and reshuffled the bench. • 2-for-15: Braves hitters with runners in scoring position. • 5.2: Scoreless innings from the Giants bullpen outside Walker’s miscue. What’s Next for the San Francisco Giants Justin Verlander (shoulder) is slated for a final rehab start Sunday, positioning the three-time Cy Young winner for a mid-June rotation debut that could push Birdsong to a bulk-relief role. Meanwhile, top prospect Bryce Eldridge’s promotion to Triple-A Sacramento remains delayed by the organization’s temporary roster agreement with the A’s, but the 6-foot-7 slugger is expected to reach the River Cats by July. Schedule Check The Giants aim for a four-game sweep of Atlanta on Saturday before welcoming the NL-West-leading Dodgers for a pivotal three-game set. With Los Angeles holding an eight-game edge, San Francisco’s newfound momentum will be tested immediately against a division powerhouse. SEO Takeaway From “SF Giants walk-off win” and “Tyler Fitzgerald wild pitch” to “Dominic Smith impact” and “Justin Verlander Giants debut,” Friday’s thriller injects fresh storylines that should keep Giants fans and fantasy-baseball owners glued to their feeds all weekend.