SAN FRANCISCO — All Bo Davidson needed was one inning to move the crowd.
Davidson quickly fell behind 0-2 to the Twins’ Zebby Matthews in his first career at-bat, but the rookie refused to go down without a scrap. He laid off a curveball and changeup out of the zone, fouled off a slider, then resisted an outside four-seamer to run the count full. Davidson fouled off Matthews’ next two offerings, and the light Monday night crowd started to stir.
For the ninth and final pitch of the at-bat, Matthews went back to the cutter. Davidson pulled the offering into right field, a 103.8 mph single that advanced Drew Gilbert to third. As he cruised into first base, dozens of fans in the lower bowl bestowed the rookie with an ovation. Those cheers grew when Davidson, after swiping his first career base, scored his first career run on a two-run single by Brett Harris.
Before Monday’s 5-2 win, Davidson told reporters ahead of his debut that he wanted to show the team “what Bo is.” And what is Bo, exactly?
“You’ll see,” Davidson confidently responded.
Evidently, Bo knows debut.
San Francisco Giants’ Bo Davidson #94 celebrates with teammate Drew Gilbert #0 after scoring on a single by Brett Harris #29 in the first inning of their MLB game against the Minnesota Twins at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
“I’ve never been in a big stadium where you’ve got the third deck,” said Davidson, who went 1-for-4. “When they stood up and the crowd got into it, I loved that.”
“I’ve known Bo for a while going back to the [Arizona] Fall League in 2024. … Bo’s a super confident kid, super talented, and we’re excited to have him,” Gilbert said.
This final homestand won’t determine whether the 24-year-old makes next year’s Opening Day roster (whenever Opening Day actually happens). Still, these last five games are a chance for Davidson to make a strong first impression and separate himself from the other young outfielders on this roster, a list that includes Gilbert, Jonah Cox, Victor Bericoto, Turner Hill, Scott Bandura and Grant McCray.
“This offseason, with extenuating circumstances, how guys handle themselves and coach themselves and their work ethic is going to be an ultimate separator into the next pool,” said manager Tony Vitello. “Guys who don’t do their stuff will get exposed. Or, if they’ll good enough, they’ll be on the roster, but they won’t play as well as they’re capable of.
“I think there’s the first pool; the second pool will shrink. I think as long as he does his work, he’s in that third pool, but so are a lot of other guys that are excitable. … He’s got the ability. Physically and mentally, I think he fits in here.”
San Francisco Giants’ Bo Davidson #94 steals second base in the first inning of their MLB game against the Minnesota Twins at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Davidson, the franchise-record 17th Giant to debut this season, wasn’t the Giants’ only outfielder to make an impact.
Gilbert went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs, hitting a two-run single and his 11th home run of the season. Along with Davidson and Gilbert, Cox had a double and made several slick plays at second base. Rookie reliever Trent Harris picked up his second career save, tossing a scoreless inning in the ninth.
Even on such a positive night, the Giants succumbed, once again, to the injury bug.
After rookie first baseman Bryce Eldridge and outfielder Jung Hoo Lee were placed on the injured list before the game, starting pitcher Blade Tidwell left his arm with elbow discomfort that should end his season.
With one out in the fourth inning, Tidwell spiked a sweeper to the Twins’ Ryan Jeffers and grimaced in pain and waved his glove at the dugout. Following a meeting with athletic trainer Ryo Watanabe, Tidwell left the game after 57 pitches.
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Blade Tidwell #46 throws against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Tidwell said it was just the one pitch that caused the discomfort, which he’s never felt before. The right-hander, who allowed one run over 3 1/3 innings, will undergo an MRI tomorrow.
“It sucks,” Gilbert said. “That’s one of my best friends, and obviously, we’ll wait and see what they say. Anytime you lose a teammate, it’s never fun.”
With his season likely over, Tidwell will enter the offseason having thrown well in the final two outings of his rookie season. Last week, Tidwell allowed two runs over a career-high 6 2/3 innings against the St. Louis Cardinals.
“I saw a lot of positives and stuff to build off of going into the offseason in the last few starts,” Tidwell said. “I felt like I really grew as a pitcher.”
San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Blade Tidwell #46 decides to leave the game after elbow discomfort in the fourth inning of their MLB game against the Minnesota Twins at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Following Tidwell’s departure, right-hander Tristan Beck emerged from the bullpen on no notice and tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief, serving as a bridge to the game’s later innings.
Marcelo Mayer, acquired at the trade deadline, went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts in his Giants debut. Between Davidson and Mayer, the Giants have now used 70 different players this season, adding to a franchise record.
The Giants are one new player away from tying the 2025 Atlanta Braves for the most players used in a single season. With Tidwell hurt and rookie catcher Zach Morgan (currently in Triple-A) still waiting to debut, San Francisco could break the record this week.
Up next
Right-hander Anthony Molina will look to follow up his strong start last week (5 2/3 innings, no runs) in what could be his last start of the season.
San Francisco Giants’ Bo Davidson #94 signs autographs for fans after their 5-2 MLB win against the Minnesota Twins at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Giants’ Bo Davidson #94 is interviewed post game after their 5-2 MLB win against the Minnesota Twins at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Giants’ Bo Davidson #94 leaves the field after their 5-2 MLB win against the Minnesota Twins at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Giants’ Bo Davidson #94 and Brett Harris #29 celebrate their 5-2 MLB win against the Minnesota Twins at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Baseball fans celebrate attending games at all 30 MLB parks, with the final one being at Oracle Park, in the ninth inning of the San Francisco Giants MLB game against the Minnesota Twins in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Giants’ Bo Davidson, #94 Jonah Cox #53 and teammates celebrate their 5-2 MLB win against the Minnesota Twins at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Trent Harris, #68 catcher Drew Cavanaugh #61 and Shay Whitcomb #13 celebrate their 5-2 MLB win against the Minnesota Twins at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Trent Harris #68 follow through on a pitch in the ninth inning of their MLB game against the Minnesota Twins at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Giants second baseman Jonah Cox #53 completes a double play to first base as Minnesota Twins’ Alan Roden #18 is forced out at second base in the seventh inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Jason Foley #64 tosses the rosin bag after giving up a solo home run to Minnesota Twins’ Emmanuel Rodriguez #21 in the eighth inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Giants second baseman Jonah Cox #53 completes a double play to first base as Minnesota Twins’ Alan Roden #18 is forced out at second base in the seventh inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Sam Hentges #31 throws against the Minnesota Twins in the seventh inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Giants’ Osleivis Basabe #39 attempts a bunt off Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Zebby Matthews #52 in the fourth inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Tristan Beck throws against the Minnesota Twins in the fourth inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Giants’ Drew Gilbert #0 celebrates his solo home run off Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Zebby Matthews #52 as he rounds the bases in the fifth inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Giants right fielder Bo Davidson #94 chases down a home run by Minnesota Twins’ Brooks Lee #22 in the fourth inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Giants second baseman Jonah Cox #53 throws out Minnesota Twins’ Brooks Lee #22 at first base in the fifth inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Minnesota Twins first baseman Aaron Sabato in the fourth inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. It was Sabato’s MLB debut. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Giants’ Christian Koss #50 is congratulated by manager Tony Vitello after scoring on a a two-run RBI single by teammate Drew Gilbert #0 in the second inning of their MLB game against the Minnesota Twins at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Giants’ Osleivis Basabe #39 celebrates with teammate Christian Koss #50 after they scored a a two-run RBI single by teammate Drew Gilbert #0 in the second inning of their MLB game against the Minnesota Twins at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Giants’ Osleivis Basabe #39 scores on a a two-run RBI single by teammate Drew Gilbert #0 in the second inning of their MLB game against the Minnesota Twins at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Giants’ Drew Gilbert #0 hits a two-run RBI single off Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Zebby Matthews #52 in the second inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
ISan Francisco Giants’ Christian Koss #50 celebrates his double off Minnesota Twins’ pitcher Zebby Matthews #52 in the second inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Giants’ Bo Davidson #94 is congratulated by first base coach Shane Robinson #82 after getting his first MLB hit off Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Zebby Matthews #52 in the first inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Zebby Matthews #52 throws against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning of their MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
San Francisco Giants mascot Lou Seal warms up the crowd before their MLB game against the Minnesota Twins at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
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San Francisco Giants’ Bo Davidson #94 signs autographs for fans after their 5-2 MLB win against the Minnesota Twins at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)