Verlander ends historic 16-game winless streak as Devers’ 2 homers power Giants past Braves 9-3

By: Charles Odum, The Associated Press Posted: 2:24 PM CDT Wednesday, Jul. 23, 2025 Last Modified: 3:43 PM CDT Wednesday, Jul. 23, 2025

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ATLANTA (AP) — Justin Verlander ended the longest streak of starts in a season without a win in Giants history, Rafael Devers drove in four runs with three hits, including two home runs, and San Francisco beat the Atlanta Braves 9-3 on Wednesday.

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The 42-year-old Verlander (1-8) had been winless in his first 16 starts, the longest stretch by a Giants pitcher in a single season in franchise history. The three-time Cy Young winner, who finalized a $15 million, one-year deal with San Francisco in January, allowed one hit in five scoreless innings and overcame five walks.

Devers went deep off Spencer Strider (4-8) in the fifth for the game’s first run. Strider then hit Willy Adames with a pitch before Matt Chapman’s two-run homer gave San Francisco a 3-0 lead. Devers added a three-run shot off Dylan Dodd, who was recalled earlier in the day, in the sixth.

San Francisco Giants pitcher Justin Verlander (35) delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Devers served as the designated hitter, one day after making his debut as the starting first baseman in Tuesday night’s 9-0 win, which ended the team’s six-game losing streak.

Key moment

Eli White’s blooper landed fair near the right-field line to open the fifth for Atlanta’s first hit off Verlander. White stole second base and moved to third on a wild pitch before Verlander struck out Drake Baldwin to end the inning.

Key stat

The Giants outscored the Braves 18-3 to win the final two games of the series after Atlanta won the opener 9-7.

Up next

The Giants, off on Thursday, return home to open a weekend series against the New York Mets on Friday night. Giants RHP Logan Webb (9-7, 3.08) is scheduled to face RHP Clay Holmes (8-5, 3.48).