With mind on tragedy in homeland, rookie Bericoto hits first walk-off home run

SAN FRANCISCO -- Giants rookie Victor Bericoto had played sparingly ever since he was promoted to the big leagues on May 22. But the 24-year-old Venezuelan certainly made his impact felt when he got a rare start in left field on Wednesday night.

Back in the starting lineup for the first time in two weeks, Bericoto delivered a walk-off home run off A’s right-hander Elvis Alvarado with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to lead the Giants to a dramatic 2-1 comeback win over the A’s at Oracle Park.

The Giants entered the bottom of the ninth trailing, 1-0, but they finally managed to get on the board after Rafael Devers led off the inning with a game-tying shot off Alvarado. The game looked like it might be heading for extra innings after Alvarado came back to retire Willy Adames and Jung Hoo Lee, but Bericoto had other plans.

Bericoto drove a misplaced slider from Alvarado 445 feet out to left-center field for his first career walk-off home run, helping the Giants clinch their first series win at home since May 22-24 against the White Sox.

It was a no-doubt shot from Bericoto, who took a second to admire his game-winning blast before tossing his bat and beginning his memorable trip around the bases.

"I want to thank the manager for having faith in me and giving me the opportunity to start today,” Bericoto said in a postgame interview with NBC Sports Bay Area. “Every time I show up to the ballpark, I get ready as if I'm going to start, so I'm very happy to be able to get the opportunity to play today."

Bericoto’s ability to rise to the moment was even more remarkable considering he had bigger things weighing on his mind immediately after the game. A native of Maracay, Venezuela, Bericoto was dealing with some uncertainty regarding the status of friends and family members who might have been affected by the devastating earthquakes that struck his homeland on Wednesday evening.

Despite the difficult circumstances, Bericoto managed to stay poised throughout the night, finishing 2-for-4 in his first start since June 10. He also came through with a huge defensive play in left field, where he made a 93 mph throw to cut down Jacob Wilson at the plate and keep the A’s off the board in the top of the fifth.

"I was just trying to back up the plate and be ready,” said Bericoto, who became the first player to record a walk-off home run and an outfield assist in the same game since A’s slugger Brent Rooker on May 12, 2023. “When I got the ball I was just concentrating to make sure I made the perfect throw."

“It’s a quiet confidence,” manager Tony Vitello said. “I think he’s low-maintenance to coach and yet he works hard every day.”

Bericoto’s heroics helped support a terrific performance from veteran right-hander Tyler Mahle, who gave up only two hits over 5 2/3 scoreless innings in his first start since returning from the injured list on Wednesday.

“I just felt good,” said Mahle, who struck out four and walked two in the efficient 70-pitch outing. “I was working well with [catcher Eric] Haase back there. The defense made some outstanding plays. Nothing really in particular, just making good pitches.”

Mahle, 31, was expected to bolster San Francisco's rotation after signing a one-year, $10 million deal over the offseason, but he struggled to a 6.04 ERA over 11 outings before being shelved with a left hamstring strain last month. Still, the setback ultimately allowed him to reset and focus on making adjustments that helped him get back on track against the A’s.

“He was phenomenal,” Vitello said. “All of our players, especially the hitters, believe in his fastball when he’s attacking. I think he’s been guilty of being on the edges a little bit too much this year. Tonight he showed what he can do when he’s not on the edges, and he’s just going out there and attacking.”

Mahle didn’t receive any margin for error on Wednesday, as the Giants’ offense couldn’t get much going against A’s left-hander Gage Jump, who struck out nine over five scoreless innings.

The game remained scoreless until the top of the eighth, when Max Muncy finally broke the deadlock by crushing a two-out solo shot off right-hander Dylan Smith. The A’s threatened again after putting a pair of runners on with two outs in the top of the ninth, but they couldn’t add on after Lee made a tremendous catch in the right-field corner to rob Jonah Heim and end the inning.

That momentum seemed to carry over into the bottom of the ninth, when Devers and Bericoto teamed up to help the Giants rally for their third walk-off win of the year.

"I don't play every single day, but what I do is I just concentrate,” Bericoto said. “When I show up to the ballpark, I play and I train double-hard to be ready to contribute."