ATLANTA (AP) — Justin Verlander ended the longest streak of starts in a season without a win in Giants history, drove in four runs with three hits, including two home runs, and San Francisco beat the Atlanta Braves 9-3 on Wednesday.
The 42-year-old Verlander (1-8) had been winless in his first 16 starts, the longest stretch by a Giants pitcher in a single season in franchise history. The three-time Cy Young winner, who finalized a with San Francisco in January, allowed one hit in five scoreless innings and overcame five walks.
Devers went deep off Spencer Strider (4-8) in the fifth for the game’s first run. Strider then hit Willy Adames with a pitch before Matt Chapman’s two-run homer gave San Francisco a 3-0 lead. Devers added a three-run shot off , who was recalled earlier in the day, in the sixth.
Devers served as the designated hitter, one day after as the starting first baseman in Tuesday night’s , which ended the team’s six-game losing streak.
Eli White’s blooper landed fair near the right-field line to open the fifth for Atlanta’s first hit off Verlander. White stole second base and moved to third on a wild pitch before Verlander struck out Drake Baldwin to end the inning.
The Giants outscored the Braves 18-3 to win the final two games of the series after Atlanta won the opener 9-7.
The Giants, off on Thursday, return home to open a weekend series against the New York Mets on Friday night. Giants RHP Logan Webb (9-7, 3.08) is scheduled to face RHP Clay Holmes (8-5, 3.48).
The Braves play at Texas on Friday night with LHP Joey Wentz (2-1, 5.71) scheduled for face Rangers RHP Nathan Eovaldi (7-3, 1.58).
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