Pinch-runner Christian Koss trotted home from third base when left fielder Christian Yelich dropped Willy Adames’ flyball to cap a two-run, eighth-inning rally Thursday afternoon that lifted the San Francisco Giants to a 6-5 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.
Benefitting from two runs scoring on a bunt, the Brewers led 5-2 before watching the Giants score the game’s final four runs, including two in the eighth after beginning the inning down by a run.
Tyler Fitzgerald began the difference-making uprising by drawing a walk from the Brewers’ fifth pitcher, left-hander Tyler Alexander (1-2). Pinch-hitter Wilmer Flores then singled to right, sending the potential tying run to third.
After Luis Matos grounded out to third, with Koss taking second on the play, Fitzgerald made a dash for home when Mike Yastrzemski hit a one-hop grounder to Milwaukee second baseman Brice Turang with the infield in. Fitzgerald beat the throw to the plate, tying the game as Koss advanced to third.
Trevor Megill replaced Alexander and got Adames to hit a routine liner right at Yelich in left field. But in his haste to prepare a throw to the plate, Yelich dropped the ball, allowing Koss to score standing up with the eventual winning run.
Tyler Rogers (2-0), who pitched a scoreless top of the eighth, was credited with the win, but only after Camilo Doval survived a walk and a Yelich single in the ninth by getting Rhys Hoskins to fly out to center field for his fifth save.
The Giants got home runs from Yastrzemski, his fourth, and Matt Chapman, his fifth, as part of their uphill climb as the Brewers took 1-0, 2-1 and 5-2 leads in the first four innings.
The biggest chunk of Milwaukee’s scoring came in a three-run fourth, with two of the runs scoring when Eric Haase, batting with runners at the corners, dropped a safety squeeze down the third base line.
As Joey Ortiz raced home, Chapman tried to get the out at first, but first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr. flubbed the catch, allowing the ball to roll down the right field line. Vinny Capra also scored on the play.
Neither starting pitcher saw the fifth inning.
Giants right-hander Landen Roupp was charged with five runs (four earned) in 3 2/3 innings, surrendering six hits and three walks. He struck out two.
Brewers righty Tobias Myers, making his season debut, was pulled with a 5-2 lead after allowing two runs on four hits in four innings. He walked four and struck out two.
Yastrzemski had two hits, scored twice and joined Chapman with two RBIs for the Giants, who took three of four in the series.
Hoskins had a single, double and walk in four plate appearances before his game-ending flyout.
