Rafael Devers hit his first home run for his new team against his former team, Landen Roupp combined with three relievers on a six-hitter and the San Francisco Giants held on for a 3-2 victory over the visiting Boston Red Sox on Saturday afternoon.
Acquired last Sunday from the Red Sox, Devers had gone 3-for-17 as a Giant before launching his 16th home run of the season – his first in a San Francisco uniform – to left field against Boston starter Brayan Bello (3-2) in the third inning.
The homer came with two outs and an 0-1 count, also scoring Andrew Knizner, who had reached base on a fielding error by Red Sox second baseman David Hamilton. Both runs were unearned.
Batting second in the order for the first time as a Giant, Devers, who went 0-for-5 against his old mates on Friday night, had grounded out in the first inning. Six pitches later, Heliot Ramos took Bello deep for his 13th home run and a 1-0 lead.
Roupp (5-5) did most of the heavy lifting after that. He limited the Red Sox to three singles over six innings, during which he walked three and struck out seven.
Trevor Story had two of the three hits Roupp allowed.
Randy Rodriguez, Tyler Rogers and Camilo Doval each threw an inning in relief of Roupp, with Rodriguez and Rogers retiring all six batters they faced.
The Red Sox avoided a shutout in the ninth against Doval, cutting the deficit to 3-1 on an inning-opening double by Roman Anthony and consecutive singles by Story and Wilyer Abreu.
After a first out, Story scored from third on a throwing error by catcher Knizner trying to prevent pinch-runner Nate Eaton from stealing second. But with the potential tying run in scoring position, Doval then retired Marcelo Mayer and Romy Gonzalez on ground balls to wrap up his 12th save.
Bello left after six innings, charged with all three Giants runs (only one of which was earned) on four hits. He walked one and struck out six.
Devers finished 1-for-4. His home run and the one by Ramos were the only extra-base hits for the Giants, who were outhit 6-4.
Story went 3-for-4 for the Red Sox, who fell to 3-2 on their nine-game Western swing.
