Pitcher Justin Verlander finally put an end to an ignominious streak that had reached historic proportions.
Verlander got his first win in 17 starts with the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday, July 23, allowing one hit over five scoreless innings in a 9-3 victory against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. It ended the longest streak of starts without a win in Giants history and the longest skid of Verlander’s 20-year MLB career.
The three-time Cy Young winner battled through five walks and didn’t allow a hit until the fifth inning to register his first win since he signed a one-year, $15 million contract with San Francisco this past offseason. Verlander, 42, is the active leader in career wins among MLB pitchers with 263 after Wednesday’s triumph. The game featured two home runs by recent Giants acquisition Rafael Devers.
Verlander had not won since Sept. 28, 2024, when he was still pitching for the Houston Astros. He missed a month of action earlier this season with a strained right pectoral muscle. His earned run average improved from 4.99 to 4.70 after Wednesday’s start, which included Verlander navigating a 40-pitch first inning.
He said afterward this win was more significant for him than a typical regular-season game because of what he has been through so far this year.
‘Sometimes when things are going well, you take things for granted and sometimes, you go out there and pitch every five days and you’re winning most of them, and you’re in the high-five line afterwards,’ Verlander said, according to MLB.com. ‘It’s been a tough stretch physically and on the mound. Hopefully this can get the ball rolling in the right direction.’
The Giants (54-49) remain in the thick of the National League wild card race and sit 1.5 games behind the San Diego Padres for the final spot in the postseason after beating the Braves.