Rafael Devers made his debut against the Boston Red Sox on Friday night, less than a week after being traded to the San Francisco Giants. This marked his first opportunity to play against his former team, raising expectations for a strong performance in what many hoped would be a pivotal moment in his new role as designated hitter for the Giants.

Early At-Bats Result in Difficult Outcomes

Devers struggled to find his rhythm, going 0-for-5 and striking out once. His initial at-bat ended quickly when he grounded out on the first pitch, a fastball on the inside corner thrown by Hunter Dobbins. The ball’s slight cut and Devers’ adrenaline may have contributed to the weak contact, causing the ball to hit the handle and roll to the first baseman. Though his second at-bat showed more patience and contact, Devers could not capitalize. He faced five fastballs before hitting a ball that was caught just shy of the wall by a leaping Ceddane Rafaela.

Later Plate Appearances Continue to Challenge Devers

During the fifth inning, Brennan Bernardino pitched to Devers with a runner on first, managing to induce a groundout to shortstop. In the seventh, Devers was retired on a fly ball to center field off left-hander Justin Wilson. In a tense moment during the ninth inning, facing closer Aroldis Chapman, Devers came up trailing by two runs. Although he famously hit a home run off Chapman at Yankee Stadium in 2017, this time Chapman dominated with a 102 mph fastball, retiring Devers for the second out of the inning.

Red Sox Secure a 7-5 Victory Over Giants

Chapman finished the inning by striking out the final batter, sealing a 7-5 win for the Boston Red Sox over the Giants. Despite a tough night at the plate, Devers will have another opportunity to make an impact when Brayan Bello takes the mound for Boston in the next game on Saturday. The matchup will provide a chance for Devers to adjust and potentially prove his value against his former squad, as the Giants look to build momentum with their recent acquisition.