SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants made a late lineup switch prior to their regular-season finale against the Rockies, moving Willy Adames into the leadoff spot to maximize his chances of ending the club’s long-lived 30-homer drought.
Adames responded by crushing the very first pitch he saw from right-hander McCade Brown over the center-field wall, becoming the first Giant to hit 30 homers in a single season since Barry Bonds in 2004.
It was the first career leadoff homer for Adames, who became only the second shortstop in Giants history to record a 30-homer season, joining Rich Aurilia in 2001 (37).
The Giants’ 21-year spell without a 30-homer hitter had been the longest active streak in the Majors. Every other team had at least six such seasons from 2005-24 and at least one from 2019-24.