Wisely’s first big league loss comes against a perfect opponent originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – Brett Wisely hit two home runs while in the minors earlier this season. Now he has his first in the big leagues, and it couldn’t have happened against a more appropriate Giants opponent.
Wisely’s two-run hit off Blake Treinen in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted the Giants to a 5-3 victory over their Southern California rivals and NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night.
“Against the Dodgers, great rivalry, it was an unbelievable moment,” Wisely said after fueling the Giants’ seventh victory of the 2024 MLB season, a success that sent the crowd of 40,052 home to Oracle Park on a good note.
Wisely has come with great moments quite often since I was drafted in early May. The home run was his seventh extra-base hit since June 10 and raised his average to .304, second among Giants regulars behind LaMonte Wade Jr.’s .331.
Wisely did a pretty solid job holding down the fort at shortstop when Nick Ahmed was injured. With Thairo Estrada now on the injured list, Wisely will likely be the Giants’ everyday second baseman until Estrada returns.
“He has played very well. He has achieved great successes for us; he’s up front, attacking the lineup,” said coach Bob Melvin, citing some of the benefits Wisely offers. “[The home run is] one in his career that he will never forget. It’s a huge home run against these guys.”
Wisely it is not well known for its balance of power. He hit just more than four home runs during three seasons at the Triple-A level and had a career .339 slugging percentage in the majors before crushing the Dodgers’ dreams with his outburst on Friday.
“I was trying to see something in the zone, just get on base if you can,” Wisely said. “I got a good pitch to get it in the zone and get a good hit on him.”
He wisely admitted that returning to second base, even though it is his primary position, will require some adjustments. He missed a couple of ground throws against the Dodgers, including one that was initially ruled an error before it was changed to a hit later.
“It’s different, but it feels natural,” Wisely said. “There you don’t chase the ball as much because you have a shorter throw. I got some balls, just jump on me [Friday]which isn’t what I’m used to, but it’s part of it.”
His attitude, work ethic and production helped make Wisely a popular figure in the Giants’ clubhouse, which rocked to pulsating dance beats following Wisely’s heroics.
“He’s been amazing; he’s a grinder,” Giants pitcher Logan Webb said. “He goes out there every day and gives it his all. It’s exciting to see. You can just see the confidence. The talent was always there.”
Wisely’s confidence is a result of his personal success and that of the Giants.
“We have a lot of good energy in this club,” Wisely said. “The pitching is really good, the hitters are swinging the bats well, so it’s fun to be out there playing.”
