Shay Whitcomb produced his first career game-ending RBI, chopping an 11th-inning single that scored the decisive run in San Francisco’s 5-4 victory. The extra-inning finish gave San Francisco the opening game of the three-game series.

What happened

The teams entered the late stages even and remained locked together after both scored once in the 10th inning. San Francisco then created another opportunity with the automatic runner in the 11th.

A sacrifice bunt moved the runner to second before Whitcomb came to the plate with one out. His chopped ground ball brought the runner home and immediately ended the game.

The decisive hit completed a two-hit performance for Whitcomb and gave San Francisco the final answer in an extra-inning contest. After neither side separated itself in the 10th, San Francisco converted its next chance without allowing the game to extend any further.

Why it matters

San Francisco improved to 60-85 with the victory. The visitors dropped to 72-73, falling below .500 as the three-game set began.

The result gave San Francisco the early advantage in the series and placed the visitors in position to need a response in the middle game. With both teams scoring in the first extra inning, the difference came from San Francisco’s ability to advance the runner and bring him home in the 11th.

By the numbers

Whitcomb finished 2-for-5 with one RBI. That lone run driven in decided the 5-4 game and marked the first game-ending RBI of his career.

Each club scored one run in the 10th, keeping the score tied and forcing an 11th inning. San Francisco needed only one more run, using the sacrifice bunt and Whitcomb’s single to complete the win.

What to watch next

The clubs return for the middle game Tuesday night. San Francisco will try to build on its series-opening victory, while the visitors will look to move back to .500 and keep the three-game series from slipping away.