UPDATE: In a dramatic turn of events, Justin Verlander finally clinched his first win with the San Francisco Giants as they triumphed 9-3 over the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on September 27, 2023. This victory not only marked a personal milestone for the 42-year-old pitcher but also helped the Giants secure a series win, ending a challenging six-game losing streak.
The game took a tense turn in the fifth inning when rain began to fall, sending fans rushing for cover. Verlander, who needed just three more outs to qualify for the win, feared that bad luck would extend his winless streak, which had already become the longest in Giants history for a single season. “I didn’t know. I figured something like that would happen,” he reflected. “This would be the game that gets rained out or we have a two-hour delay and they don’t let me go back out.” Fortunately, the rain did not halt play, and Verlander managed to complete five innings, allowing only one hit while navigating five walks.
The Giants were leading 3-0 when Verlander left the mound, with the team’s offense surging behind him. Teammate Matt Chapman was instrumental in the win, hitting a two-run homer in the fifth that bolstered Verlander’s chances. After the game, a bottle of Verlander’s favorite wine was waiting in his locker as a celebratory gesture from his teammates, who had been eager to see him break his winless drought. “It’s awesome,” Chapman said. “We’ve wanted so badly to get him that first win.”
Verlander’s win is more than just a personal achievement; it revitalizes the Giants’ hopes as they pursue a spot in the NL West race. Currently sitting third in the division, the team is just 2.5 games out of a National League wild-card spot. “The division is still not out of reach,” Chapman added, highlighting the importance of the victory.
Verlander himself expressed his commitment to celebrating this long-awaited win, stating, “I’ll probably have a little bit of that (wine).” As the Giants continue their season, all eyes will be on Verlander to see if this victory is the turning point for both him and the team.
This significant win has captured the attention of fans and analysts alike, making it a hot topic of discussion across social media platforms. Stay tuned for further updates as the Giants aim to build on this momentum in their upcoming games.
