Of course LaMonte Wade Jr. did it again.
In a breakout season that has been defined by his clutch hitting, Late Night LaMonte Wade delivered again in a huge moment on Thursday, knocking in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Giants a 5-4 win over the Diamondbacks.
Though he’s had more thrilling clutch hits this season (the eighth inning home run vs. the A’s comes to mind) few have been more important. The bases-loaded single ensured that San Francisco maintains a two game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers — who won again on Thursday — with just three games to play. If the Giants win two of their next three vs. the Padres, they will clinch the NL West.
Wade’s at-bat on Thursday was just his second of the night after taking over for Austin Slater in seventh inning. He’s now had six game-tying or go-ahead 9th inning hits in Giants wins this year. He is 13 for 23 in the ninth inning this season.