Logan Webb in the game against the Athletics on Friday night at Oracle Park (Photo: San Francisco Giants on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SAN FRANCISCO — On any other night, Logan Webb would be the lead of this story. However, even with Webb’s brilliance in the Giants’ 9-1 win over the Athletics on Friday, Wilmer Flores takes center stage.

Wilmer finished the game 3-for-4 with three home runs. He launched a grand slam in the third inning, a three-run shot in the sixth, and capped off his incredible night with a solo blast in the eighth. The trio of homers gave Flores eight RBI, vaulting him into a tie with Aaron Judge for the most RBI in the majors at 41.

“Every time he hit a homer today, I was like, man, he’s a true professional. My favorite player, so it’s fun to watch him every day. He takes amazing at-bats all the time, and that just kinda kickstarted the game for us,” Logan Webb said of Flores.

Wilmer’s teammates and coaches consistently praise his work ethic and daily preparation around the Giants clubhouse. Friday felt like the perfect night to spotlight those traits after a career performance.

Bob Melvin spoke postgame about Wilmer’s toughness and the adversity he’s overcome. “It’s pretty remarkable where he’s come from (speaking on his journey after his season-ending knee injury and surgery last season) you know, last year to this year, having the surgery and coming into spring training a little uncertain… What’s he tied in the league with RBI in all of baseball? He’s a pretty tough kid.”

Melvin continued, emphasizing Wilmer’s reputation. “Look, everybody loves Wilmer here. Everybody around the league loves Wilmer. He’s about one of the most respected guys in the league you’re going to come across. It’s great to have someone have a game like that, but it’s doubly good that it was Wilmer.”

As much as Wilmer was the talk of the night, Logan Webb also shined in his start. Dealing through seven innings and allowing just two hits, Webb came back out for the eighth eyeing a complete game shutout if he could be economical in the eighth. Unfortunately, two infield singles and a run ended those hopes. Still, he finished the eighth having allowed just one run on five hits. Webb walked two and struck out five in a masterful performance — a much-needed effort to help get the Giants back on track.

The eighth was the only inning in which the A’s scored. Tyler Soderstrom singled home Luis Urias to put the A’s on the board. They wouldn’t score again.

Aside from Wilmer’s heroics, the Giants added one more run on a Willy Adames RBI single after Matt Chapman doubled in the at-bat before, making it 9-1 heading into the ninth.

After throwing 107 pitches (70 strikes), Logan Webb was relieved in the ninth by Camilo Doval, who sealed the win with a dominant 1-2-3 inning. Doval struck out all three batters he faced — Pereda looking, Butler swinging, and Andujar swinging.

With the win, the Giants improved to 26-19 on the season and bumped their run differential to +45. The A’s dropped to 22-23, with their run differential falling to -59.

A’s Note: The A’s have allowed 37 runs in their last three games — their most in a three-game span since May 9-11, 2016, when they gave up 40.

Giants Note: With three home runs, Wilmer Flores becomes only the fourth Giant in franchise history to hit at least three homers and drive in eight runs. He joined Joc Pederson (May 24, 2022), Willie Mays (April 30, 1961), and George Kelly (June 14, 1924).

The A’s and Giants continue the series Saturday at 6:05 PM PST at Oracle Park. The Giants will send Landen Roupp (2-3, 4.95 ERA) to the mound, while the A’s counter with Luis Severino (1-4, 4.70 ERA).