Giants manager Tony Vitello hilariously jokes about pinch-running Rafael Devers again

Rafael Devers has not been the offensive star the San Francisco Giants hoped for when they traded for him last season from the Boston Red Sox. Adding to the ire of Giants fans has been the attitude of Devers as of late. He recently made a scene in the ninth inning against the Miami Marlins last Sunday, when Tony Vitello sent Jonah Cox in to pinch run for Devers. The move upset the Giants slugger, causing him to react aggressively, and then be criticized by fans and former players.

Vitello had a chance to address the situation again on Wednesday night after a 2-1 victory over the Athletics, but instead, made a joke and took the high road, according to a video posted by the Giants on NBCS on X, formerly Twitter.

“I’d be remiss if I didn’t say the best coaching moment of the night was we told Rafi if he got on first, we were going to pinch-run for him,” Vitello said to the media.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Giants were down 1-0. Devers led off the inning and was warned that, if he got on base, there would be a pinch runner. He got on base, but did not need the runner. He took a 1-1 fastball to center field for a home run to tie the game. After two quick outs, Victor Bericoto came to the plate and hit a home run of his own, giving the Giants the 2-1 victory.

Still, it was nearly an identical situation that caused the incident last Sunday. The Giants were down a run heading into the ninth inning, with Devers leading off the inning. Instead of a home run, he walked, leading to the pinch runner and the scene.

While Vitello did not bash Devers for the incident, instead making a joke, both of their focus needs to be on stringing together some wins. The Giants are 33-46 on the season, which places them in fourth place in the NL West, and also 9.5 games out of a wild card spot in the National League.

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