Flores delivers Giants comeback win with clutch readiness vs. Marlins originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
When the world needed him most, Wilmer Flores delivered.
The pinch-hitting Flores gave San Francisco the winning single it needed on Monday at LoanDepot Park in Miami, completely erasing the Giants’ 3-0 deficit to the Marlins and a 3-3 tie in the seventh inning.
During an 0-2 count with two outs against left-handed Marlins pitcher Andrew Nardi, Flores brought shortstop Nick Ahmed home from third base, while centerfielder Jung Hoo Lee moved from first to second base, putting San Francisco on top for good to stand in a 4-3 win. .
Flores’ huge fifth RBI of the 2024 MLB season sent the Giants to 7-10 and served as a testament to the infielder’s preparation.
“Just a lot of swinging in the cage and knowing who’s coming in,” Flores told the “Giants Postgame Live” crew after the win. “I try not to do much there and just put the ball in play or have a good at-bat.
“Honestly, I’m just trying to have a good at-bat. If you squeeze, everyone expects you to do damage. Not me. I just want to have a good at bat. And if I’m going to have a homer or a double, that’s a plus. I just want to have a good at-bat because it’s hard to come off the bench.”
“I’m just trying to have a good at-bat.”
Wilmer describes his pinch-hitting approach after coming up big for the Giants tonight 👏 pic.twitter.com/uHTFqSTw6c
— SF Giants on NBCS (@NBCSGiants) April 16, 2024
Flores’ emphasis on having good at-bats has been his mantra as his role with San Francisco has continually fluctuated.
Whether as a starter, DH or pinch-hitter, the 32-year-old has mastered the art of finding rhythm within inconsistent opportunities.
Dating back to February, Flores knew he would have to stay more ready than ever with the arrival of DH Jorge Soler from San Francisco.
“A lot of people ask me [about] that, and I say coming off the bench, people are not good at that,” Flores said during “Giants Talk” on Feb. 23.”[The Giants] gave me a chance, they gave me a lot of at-bats and I got my rhythm, but it’s not like I can come off the bench well or play every three days. Nobody’s going to be good at that, but I think I got a chance to play a lot with the Giants.
“Last year there was a week where I didn’t play for seven days. You can’t possibly be good at that. But I have been given a lot of opportunities and I am happy with that.”
On Monday, Flores improved his season slashline to .308/.265/.572 in 39 at-bats. He’s made his at-bats count.
Flores should continue to show his readiness against Miami as the Giants look for their second win in the series in six tries.
Game 2 of Giants-Marlins is Tuesday at 3:40 PM PT.
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