UPDATE: Justin Verlander finally secured his elusive first win with the San Francisco Giants in a thrilling 9-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on April 12, 2023. This victory comes after a challenging streak, making it a significant moment for the veteran pitcher.
As rain began to fall during the game, fans rushed for cover in the fifth inning, leaving Verlander to wonder if yet another unfortunate twist would prevent him from claiming the win. “I didn’t know. I figured something like that would happen,” Verlander admitted. “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.” However, the rain did not hinder his performance.
Verlander, at 42 years old, showcased resilience by pitching through the light rain to complete five scoreless innings, allowing only one hit while overcoming five walks. San Francisco led 3-0 at the time, and with this performance, he not only broke his personal drought but also helped the Giants secure a much-needed series win after ending a six-game losing streak.
Teammates celebrated Verlander’s milestone by placing a bottle of his favorite wine at his locker. “It’s awesome,” said Matt Chapman, who contributed a two-run homer in the fifth inning. “We’ve wanted so badly to get him that first win.” When asked how he would celebrate, Verlander remarked, “I’ll probably have a little bit of that (wine).” This moment is particularly important as the Giants remain in contention, sitting just 2.5 games out of an NL wild-card spot and third in the NL West.
This win is not only pivotal for Verlander but also revitalizes the Giants’ hopes for the season. As Chapman noted, “The division is still not out of reach.” Fans and players alike are eager to see how this victory will propel the team forward in their quest for playoff contention.
Stay tuned for further updates as the Giants continue their season and Verlander looks to build on this encouraging performance.