The qualities typically needed to achieve a walk-off inside-the-park home run are not usually associated with Patrick Bailey, the San Francisco Giants' catcher. Inside-the-park home runs usually demand speed, a trait that Bailey, who primarily plays in the squat, lacks. Additionally, this remarkable feat often requires hitting prowess or a bit of luck — both of which have eluded Bailey for much of this season. Struggling to maintain a batting average above the Mendoza line, Bailey has spent most of the year in the bottom half of the lineup. However, in a thrilling moment during the bottom of the ninth inning, with his team trailing by two runs and the tying run on first base against the first-place Philadelphia Phillies, Bailey defied expectations and delivered a stunning performance, marking one of the most improbable plays in baseball amidst a Giants season filled with surprises.
Bailey connected with a fastball from reliever Jordan Romano on the first pitch, launching the ball to the deepest part of Oracle Park. While it would have been a home run in virtually any other MLB stadium, the ball hit the top of the right-field wall and ricocheted deep into center field. “Once it shot the other way, everyone was thinking inside the park,” said manager Bob Melvin. As Brandon Marsh, the Phillies’ center fielder, pursued the ball along the warning track, Casey Schmitt dashed home from third base, pinch-runner Brett Wisely tied the game, and Bailey crossed home plate to clinch a dramatic 4-3 victory on Tuesday night, greeted by a mob of jubilant teammates.
In the thrilling match between the San Francisco Giants and the Philadelphia Phillies, the Giants emerged victorious with a score of 4-3. Here’s a brief summary of the game:
Philadelphia Stats: AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
Totals: 35 3 9 3 4 6
Turner (ss) 5 0 1 0 0 0 .298
Schwarber (dh) 4 1 2 2 0 1 .254
Harper (1b) 4 0 0 0 1 0 .249
Bohm (3b) 3 1 1 0 2 0 .279
Castellanos (rf) 4 0 2 0 0 1 .274
Kemp (lf) 4 0 1 1 0 2 .253
Sosa (2b) 4 0 1 0 0 1 .278
Marchán (c) 4 0 0 0 0 0 .167
Rojas (cf) 1 0 0 0 1 0 .225
Marsh (ph-cf) 2 1 1 0 0 1 .260
San Francisco Stats: AB R H BI BB SO Avg.
Totals: 33 4 9 4 3 8
Ramos (lf) 4 0 1 0 0 0 .269
Devers (dh) 2 0 0 0 2 2 .234
Adames (ss) 4 0 0 0 0 1 .224
Chapman (3b) 4 0 0 0 0 1 .244
Yastrzemski (rf) 3 1 1 0 1 0 .244
Schmitt (2b) 4 1 1 0 0 2 .276
Lee (cf) 4 0 2 0 0 0 .246
Smith (1b) 2 0 1 1 0 0 .247
Flores (ph-1b) 2 0 1 0 0 1 .243
Wisely (pr) 0 1 0 0 0 0 .229
The game highlighted key moments, including Schwarber's two-run home run in the seventh inning that gave the Phillies a brief lead. However, Bailey’s inside-the-park home run overshadowed this pivotal moment and solidified his status in Giants history.
Bailey's walk-off inside-the-park home run was not just an incredible personal achievement; it marked several historical milestones. It was the first such home run since Tyler Naquin of the Cleveland Guardians accomplished it in 2016, and the first by a Giants player since Angel Pagan did so on May 25, 2013. Additionally, Bailey became the first catcher to hit a walk-off inside-the-park home run since Bennie Tate in 1926, making it only the third time a catcher has ever achieved this feat.
This thrilling win ensured the Giants secured at least a series victory against the NL East-leading Phillies. With the Los Angeles Dodgers set to visit Oracle Park for the final weekend before the All-Star break, the Giants are looking to maintain their momentum. After a challenging stretch where they lost seven of ten games, the Giants have won four straight and six of their last seven, narrowing the gap to five games behind the Dodgers and securing sole possession of the final wild-card spot.
“Great teams go through tough stretches during the year,” said Willy Adames. “For me, I’d rather have that moment now than going into September. I feel like when you go through this, it makes the team stronger.” This victory not only provided a much-needed boost to the team's morale but also showcased the resilience and determination of the Giants as they gear up for the second half of the season.
