Bryce Eldridge hits walk-off grand slam as Giants stun Nationals

SAN FRANCISCO — Bryce Eldridge’s ball had no business leaving the ballpark, a fitting end to a game the Giants had no business winning.

Eldridge popped up a 2-0 slider that caught the jet stream toward McCovey Cove and landed just over the brick wall in right field for a walkoff grand slam that brought the Giants back from a nine-run deficit only an inning earlier to beat the Nationals 11-10 and avoid being swept.

Matt Chapman started the comeback with his second solo shot of the afternoon to begin the eighth, Rafael Devers went back-to-back and the Giants had cut the deficit to three, 9-6, by the time the five-run rally against the Nationals’ own problematic pen had come to an end.

Robbie Ray was in line to take the loss until Eldridge’s homer cleared the wall despite coming one out away from completing six innings for the first time since May 8.

Ray pitched better than his line indicated, coming one out away from completing six innings for the first time since May 8, but was still responsible for five runs.

That, it turned out, was a manageable amount for the Giants as soon as they chased Ray’s opponent, Foster Griffin, from the game after six innings.

The only problem: The Giants’ beleaguered bullpen allowed Washington to widen its advantage to 9-1 and then add on a 10th run by the time their bats got within striking distance.

Eldridge’s response? No problem.

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Before the rookie slugger delivered the heroics, the Giants loaded the bases Mitchell Parker, who was called on after Gus Varland failed to retire any of the three batters he faced to start the ninth. Luis Arraez doubled to start the rally, and Chapman followed with his fourth hit.

The win went to Reiver Sanmartin, who made his 2026 debut by allowing a solo shot to Curtis Mead that extended the Nationals’ lead to 10-6 entering the bottom of the ninth.