Giants’ Bivens dazzles with victory in dream MLB debut against Angels originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – Spencer Bivens didn’t have much time to study or prepare to try to understand the Los Angeles Angels roster. After receiving a late call letting him know he was being called up to the Giants from the minors, the 29-year-old pitcher didn’t get to town until 3 a.m. and had trouble trying to catch a wink.
None of that seemed to matter as the well-traveled right-hander took control for his MLB debut. Bivens pitched three very strong innings of relief after opener Erik Miller’s first inning of work, giving the Giants exactly what they needed as they cruised to victory in Sunday’s 13-6 win at Oracle Park.
“It doesn’t feel real,” Bivens said in the Giants’ clubhouse afterward. “I’m just waiting to wake up from a dream. It’s unbelievable. I really don’t have words for it. It’s nothing like I imagined and it’s even better that it is that way.
“I feel like pregame was harder, just walking into the building and being here and really realizing you’re here. Just trying to stay calm and cool. God was with me a little today.”
Undrafted out of college, Bivens spent time pitching in France and independent leagues before joining the Giants in 2021. He came through the minors and went 4-0 with a 2.81 ERA in Triple-A with the Sacramento River Cats this season before being called up to the big leagues.
Bivens was stunning in her debut. He allowed just one hit, a solo home run to Nolan Schanuel, who was the second batter to step in against him.
“It was really high and then really low, really quick,” Bivens said of his emotions after the home run.
That was really the only mistake Bivens made. He had four strikeouts and didn’t run anyone over as he carved his way into the Giants’ history books.
Bivens is the oldest player in franchise history to win in his debut since Ace Adams in 1941. Bivens is also the first Giants pitcher to throw at least three innings and win in his debut since John Montefusco in 1974.
“Being able to see him go out there today and have the success that he had was really, really cool,” Giants catcher Patrick Bailey said. “He did an excellent job executing. He threw a ton of jabs, made some right-to-right shifts that I don’t really know if he actually did, and they were nasty.
Bivens’ big moment came with his mother sitting among the sold-out crowd of 41,008 at Oracle Park, who applauded everything the lanky right-hander did.
Bivens was pitching so well that manager Bob Melvin thought about sending him out for another inning. That idea was quelled when the Giants’ bats exploded for nine runs in the bottom of the fourth.
Bivens, who was called up after Kyle Harrison’s injured ankle stopped him from starting, he could have thrown himself into a permanent place in the team.
The Giants are expected to have several of their injured starters back in the coming weeks, and someone will have to go to make room. Given his inexperience at this level, Bivens seems like the logical choice to be eliminated, but his dazzling debut could change things.
“With everything he’s been through in his career, this is as good as it gets,” Melvin said.
