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Monday, October 3, 2022 SECTION B Matt Miller . Sports Editor . 707.427.6995

Giants earn walk-off win in home finale

By evan WeBecK THE MERCURY NEWS

SAN FRANCISCO — Six months ago, on Opening Day, the Giants were still riding high from their 107-win season. Brandon Belt was still “The Captain,” riding in on a boat along the warning track. Logan Webb looked the part of staff ace. Darin Ruf was on the move.

In their home finale Sunday afternoon, it was Wilmer Flores on the move, hustling home from second base to score the winning run on a walk-off single from David Villar in the bottom of the 10th. The Giants beat the D-backs, 4-3, to win their final home series and finish the season 44-37 on the shores of McCovey Cove.

The beginning and the ending were the same. If only the middle could have gone differently.

Without the possibility of the playoffs, many of the 34,824 on hand Sunday stuck around long after the final out, as manager Gabe Kapler addressed the fans and players tossed memorabilia into the stands.

The crowd stood and danced and cheered almost as voraciously as Austin Slater rounded the bases in the bottom of the seventh, after slugging a go-ahead pinch-hit home run. But when they settled back into their seats, they were reminded that this was it. There was nothing more to root for. Postseason baseball will be played in locales as close as Los Angeles and as far as Toronto but not at the corner of Third and King this season.

The Giants head to San Diego for their final three games – their first time since 2012 finishing away from home, a result of the lockout-delayed start to the season – where the Padres will be preparing for the playoffs, while the Giants will be checking in for their flights home.

Webb was supposed to start the home finale, but he was shut down once the Giants were mathematically eliminated.

Ruf, one of the biggest among many platoon success stories from last year, was sent on the move one last time in a trade to the New York Mets (a deal that netted J.D. Davis and three pitchers, one surefire win this year). Others of a similar mold – LaMonte Wade Jr., Mike Yastrzemski – endured the same struggle to repeat last year’s success.

Belt was on hand, but his presence has been minimal since undergoing season-ending knee surgery. There was no pageantry, no grand entrance, no makeshift ‘C’ taped to anyone’s chest – not after Belt posted the lowest OPS of his career (.676) in an injury-riddled season.

Evan Longoria, possibly playing his final home game at Oracle Park (the Giants hold a $13 million club option), drove in the

See Giants, Page B8

Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group/TNS file

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan leads from the sideline against the Green Bay Packers in the second quarter of their NFL preseason game at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara in August.

Rams’ McVay, 49ers’ Shanahan in search of offense for teams

By GiLBert Manzano LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS

SANTA CLARA — It’s common knowledge that Rams coach Sean McVay and San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan worked together as assistants in Washington, but that likely won’t stop the ESPNbroadcast from mentioning it a few times during the Monday Night Football matchup between NFC West rivals.

Oh, to be a fly on the wall while these two young brilliant offensive minds designed plays together between 2010 to 2013 with Kyle’s father, Mike Shanahan, the thenhead coach in Washington.

Their connection has brought enthusiasm and attention to the rivalry since they both became head coaches in 2017, and it won’t be any different for the 12th meeting.

“There’s a good competitiveness, but I know I have tremendous respect for everything that I’ve learned from him,” McVay said about Kyle Shanahan. “I enjoy when we get a chance to connect, but we are friends and we’re also competitors, but I’ve learned so much from him.”

Shanahan is known for his highly productive rushing scheme and for leading the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance in 2020. McVay instantly had success with his heavy use of 11 personnel and guided the Rams to a Super Bowl title last season.

McVay’s squad crossed paths with Shanahan’s in the NFC title game before hoisting the Lombardi Trophy to add another intriguing layer to the competitive series between two of the best play-callers in the NFL.

But the coaching gurus are heading into their Monday night battle at Levi’s Stadium with plenty of concerns about their respective offenses.

Shanahan struggled to adjust with second-year quarterback Trey Lance before getting a different set of problems with Jimmy Garoppolo, the once-reliable quarterback who hasn’t provided reliability since returning as the starter following an injury to Lance. The 49ers’ offense is averaging 15.7 points per game and hasn’t cracked 200 passing yards in a game this season.

But the 49ers have star edge

See 49ers, Page B8

Kings coach gives hint at starting lineup prior to preseason opener

By JaSon anderSon

THE SACRAMENTO BEE

SACRAMENTO — Coach Mike Brown offered a few clues to his plans for the starting lineup and the team’s rotation as the Kings prepared to play the Los Angeles Lakers in Monday’s preseason opener at Crypto.com Arena.

Following Saturday’s practice, Brown confirmed he will start De’Aaron Fox at point guard, Harrison Barnes at small forward and Domantas Sabonis at center, but he said the shooting guard and power forward positions are somewhat undecided. some guys that we feel have a real good chance to start for us in those spots, but we’re going to keep mixing those two spots around to see what we can get.”

Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk are competing for the starting job at shooting guard with Terence Davis likely vying for minutes off the bench. Rookie Keegan Murray is competing with KZ Okpala, Trey Lyles and Chimezie Metu at power forward.

When reporters were allowed to enter the team’s practice facility Saturday, the Kings were

Paul Kitagaki Jr./Sacramento Bee/TNS file Sacramento Kings new head coach Mike Brown talks to the media with GM Monte McNair during a press conference at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.

Mariners flat after clincher as A’s win big

By Shane Lantz THE SEATTLE TIMES

SEATTLE — A weekend full of celebrations, smiles and good vibes ended in disappointing fashion for the Seattle Mariners on Sunday at T-Mobile Park. A crowd of 42,465 fans witnessed a subpar outing from Mariners starting pitcher Robbie Ray, and a nearly nonexistent performance from the Mariners offense in a 10-3 loss that weakens their chances of hosting a playoff game.

After Toronto’s 6-3 victory over Boston on Sunday, the Blue Jays’ magic number to clinch the first wildcard spot is down to two, which means the Mariners will need to win out and hope that the Blue Jays lose one of their three remaining games against Baltimore if they want to play the city’s first home postseason game in over two decades.

While most of the Mariners’ starting lineup was back after a day of rest following Friday night’s playoff-clincher induced postgame party, they still managed just three hits over the first eight innings and struck out 12 times against an Oakland pitching staff that ranks near the bottom of the league in ERA, opponent batting average and WHIP.

The only bit of Mariners’ offense on the day came on a threerun, ninth-inning homer from left fielder Jesse Winker. The Mariners had no answers against Oakland starter James Kaprielian, who threw 5 2/3 no-hit innings to start the game with help from some sparkling defensive plays. With one on in the third inning, Adam Frazier was thrown out on a barehanded play from A’s third baseman Ernie Clement.

The A’s defense continued to shine in the fourth inning, when Seth Brown snagged a 108-mile-per-hour line drive off the bat of Eugenio Suarez, and Oakland shortstop Allen ended the fourth by throwing out Mitch Haniger on a diving play to his right. See A’s, Page B8

Rookie Baldwin shows promise for Warriors

By MadeLine Kenney

BAY AREA NEWS GROUP

SAITAMA, Japan — The Warriors’ pair of preseason games shared a glimpse at 2022 first-round pick Patrick Baldwin Jr.’s potential after he missed summer league with an ankle injury.

Baldwin showed great court awareness and solid decision-making in both games.

After recording seven points on 2-of-3 shooting in eight minutes in his debut Friday, Baldwin was even more impressive Sunday.

One highlight of his came in the fourth quarter when he intercepted a Wizards’ pass and tossed the ball to Mac McClung who took it home with a fast-break dunk. Baldwin finished with 12 points, going 4-for-5 from deep, and he had six rebounds.

“He was terrific,” coach Steve Kerr said after the NBA Japan Games finale. “He’s a really good basketball player. He understands the game, you can see with his flow, his moments, his shooting, his passing . . .He just gets it, he has a really good feel.”

Kerr didn’t know what to expect from Baldwin heading into training camp.

Baldwin was limited over the last two seasons due to an ankle injury. He was a top recruit out of high school but opted to play at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for his dad rather than join a bigger program. There, he played in only 11 before being shut down and turned his focus on the upcoming NBA draft as his injury persisted.

Baldwin said his ankle was about 95%