Rafael Devers hits two of Giants' six homers in win, has eyes on franchise first originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
Rafael Devers is hotter than the surface of the sun.
OK, not really, but it feels like it.
The Giants slugger kept up his thermonuclear stretch with two more homers and three RBI in San Francisco's 9-5 win over the New York Mets on Saturday at Citi Field.
Devers connected for a solo homer in the first inning and crushed a two-run home run in the fifth inning.
Through 143 games this season, Devers now has a league-leading 34 doubles, 35 homers and 91 RBI, giving him a solid chance to do something no Giant has done since RBI became an official stat in 1920.
Since 1920, 37 hitters have recorded 40-plus doubles, 40-plus homers and 100-plus RBI in a season, but none of those batters have been Giants. Barry Bonds had 44 doubles, 37 homers and 122 RBI in 1998, and 38 doubles, 46 homers and 123 RBI in 1993.
So, with 19 games remaining, Devers has a realistic shot at becoming the 38th player to achieve the feat.
For all the groaning about Devers' slow start to the season, he has been one of MLB's best hitters since May 1.
As hot as Devers is, he wasn't the only story of Saturday's game.
Christian Koss entered the day with four career MLB homers and just one dinger this season. But in a stunning power display, the 28-year-old hit two round-trippers for his first career multi-homer game.
Buried in the Devers-Koss Home Run Derby were Tony Vitello's sixth ejection of the season, Anthony Molina 's strong five-inning outing, Osleivis Basabe 's fifth home run of the season and Grant McCray 's second of the year.
The Giants improved to 59-84 and while the MLB playoffs are an afterthought, they still are giving fans reasons to get excited.
Every Devers at-bat right now is must-see TV, and his march toward franchise history is worth tuning in every night.
