SF Giants beat as Rafael Devers hits massive home run

NEW YORK — Rafael Devers had every right to admire his work.

Devers has seldom looked the part of a three-time All-Star since joining the Giants in mid-June. He has shown that talent in spurts, but that’s all that it’s been: spurts. The slow start is understandable — a life-altering trade, lingering back and groin ailments, a new position — but San Francisco’s slim chances of making the playoffs hinge on Devers’ ability to carry an offense.

On Sunday, Devers did just that. He turned on a fastball from Frankie Montas and sent it to the fourth row of Citi Field’s upper deck, a three-run blast that would’ve easily landed in McCovey Cove if it were a home game. Devers’ 20th home run of the season was the highlight of his three-hit, four-RBI day and the Giants’ 12-4 win over the New York Mets, carrying San Francisco (56-56) to a much-needed series win after selling at Thursday’s trade deadline.

“A game like this is basically showing I’m finally getting my timing,” Devers said through team interpreter Erwin Higueros. “I haven’t been performing very well, but baseball is giving me the opportunity to show my talent and show what I’m capable of.

“I’ve seen it on the other side many times,” added manager Bob Melvin said. “It’s not a foreign feeling. … You think about how this guy, when he gets hot, he’s the type of guy that can carry a team.”

Devers was far from the only standout in the Giants’ well-rounded win, a rarity in recent weeks. Rookie left-hander Carson Whisenhunt allowed two runs (one earned) over 5 1/3 innings with four strikeouts in his second start en route to earning his first major-league win, while Jung Hoo Lee had four hits, two runs, a walk and a steal.

Whisenhunt’s teammates bombarded with a shower of beer as is custom in baseball following a pitcher’s first win. Along with the beer, Whisenhunt noted there was some milk and apple sauce involved as well.

“Everybody was screaming, congratulating me,” Whisenhunt said. “Then, the beer shower. So that was fun.”

Whisenhunt’s first inning against the Mets on Sunday mirrored his first inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday as the left-hander allowed a solo home run to Francisco Lindor. Two batters in, the Giants trailed by a run.

In the top of the third, the Giants put up a four-spot against Montas with a combination of power and speed.

Lee led off the inning with a single, stole second base, then advanced to third when the throw from catcher Francisco Alvarez rolled away from Lindor. Patrick Bailey drove in Lee with a single, tying the game. Soon enough, Devers broke that tie.

With Heliot Ramos on first and Bailey on second, Montas fired an 0-1 fastball that was supposed to be elevated. Instead, Montas left the fastball down. Devers sent the mistake to the upper deck, and the Giants had a 4-1 lead.

The Giants continued padding their lead in the top of the fourth, putting up a three-spot with RBIs from Bailey, Ramos and Devers. That run support was more than enough for Whisenhunt, who neutralized the Mets’ potent offense the rest of the way.

Whisenhunt’s afternoon ended at 75 pitches with one on and one out in the top of the sixth, and Melvin called upon new reliever José Buttó to face slugger Pete Alonso. Buttó needed just one pitch to induce an inning-ending double play against his former team, showing emotion as he walked back to the third-base dugout.

“I thought it was good, to be able to go out in the sixth against a lineup like that,” Melvin said. “He only gave up three hits. HIs fastball, he spotted a lot better, which is going to be really important for him.”