SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants have blown 28 leads this season, per Baseball Reference. It felt like 29 might be on the way Friday night.

Up two runs in the top of the fifth inning in their return to Oracle Park, the Giants faced a familiar struggle: holding a lead. Consecutive singles put Detroit Tigers on the corners with no outs.

Then right fielder Jung Hoo Lee showed off the wheels and his arm, two traits that make him a five-time Korean Baseball Organization Gold Glove winner. A foul ball launched toward right field by Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres appeared to be deep enough for a sacrifice fly. But Lee kicked it into high gear, snagged the out and fired in a throw home that made Zach McKinstry think better of tagging up at third base.

Four pitches later, Detroit catcher Dillon Dingler hit a foul ball almost to the same area. And Lee did it again — quickly eating up the ground to record the out and then zipping a throw in to keep the runner from scoring.

Then left fielder Grant McCray followed with an acrobatic sliding catch in shallow left, ending the inning with flair. The defense tied for the fourth-lowest fielding percentage (.982) in the majors proved to be lights out to help preserve the Giants’ eventual 5-2 victory.

“That’s game-saving plays right there,” said pitcher Adrian Houser, who benefitted from the play of his outfielders. “I think that completely changes the whole game right there. It takes the air out of them. … And then Grant making that catch. I mean, that’s game-saving, game-changing. So you know, tip your hat to those guys for those big outs right there.”

The offensive fireworks came early for the Giants, courtesy of a first-inning two-run bomb by Rafael Devers and a two-run single by Lee in the second.

But the Giants’ win was powered by pitching and defense. It was Houser. And Sam Hentges. And McCray. And Lee.

For the first time this season, Giants manager Tony Vitello opted for an opener in lieu of a traditional starting pitcher. J.T. Brubaker started, and Houser took over in the second inning.

Houser (3-7) earned his first win since June 4. He gave up one run on six hits with four strikeouts in five innings of work. It was his first win out of the bullpen this season.

“It’s a little bit different, but my mentality stays the same,” Houser said. “Going out there trying to get outs and do your job, and go as long as possible and help out the guys behind you.”

Coming off a 2-5 road trip at Texas and San Diego, the Giants opened a nine-game homestand with a tip-of-the-cap performance to the man of the moment in the organization. Mike Krukow.

At the top of the third inning, after the Giants regained the lead, the broadcast, the fans and the team took a moment to acknowledge the legendary broadcaster. A standing ovation and a raucous roar serenaded a teary-eyed Krukow, who announced Thursday that this would be his final season after 36 years in the booth.

Krukow begins a farewell tour for an iconic partnership with Duane Kuiper, a duo reputed as franchise legends. Krukow is one of the most beloved voices in Giants history and the larger story of baseball broadcasting.

“I’ve talked to multiple people in baseball,” Vitello explained before the game, “that just comment on how our media people (who) govern the games on TV and on broadcasts are probably as good as anybody in the big leagues. He’s a reason why. … I think it’s good for him that he’s at peace with how many phenomenal things he’s done in this city. And it’s not like he still won’t be a part of it and still be able to enjoy it, but maybe have some peace in starting a new chapter of his life.”

The Tigers opened the game with back-to-back singles off of Brubaker, but only one runner scored. Devers got that run right back and more. After a one-out walk by Lee, Devers blasted an 80-mph knuckle curve from Detroit right-hander Keider Montero over the centerfield wall. Devers’  24th home run of the season traveled 401 feet and gave the Giants a 2-1 lead.

Houser took the mound in the top of the second and allowed a lead-off single. McKinstry made Houser pay with a two-out RBI single, tying the score.

The Giants answered in the bottom of the second. A walk by Drew Gilbert, a single by Osleivis Basabe and a two-out walk by Bryce Eldridge loaded the bases. Lee, after fouling off a four-seam fastball, sent the next one to center to give the Giants a 4-2 lead.

Houser retired the next six batters before the pivotal fifth inning.

“By now,” Vitello said, “everyone in the league knows who he [Lee] is. His throws can be effective to get you an out. But I think in those situations, how athletic he got to those two balls and then the threat of how well he can throw the ball saved us in those situations.”

In the fifth inning, Willy Adames launched a one-out homer to left, giving the Giants a three-run lead. It was Adames’ 19th home run of the season.

Keaton Winn relieved Houser in the seventh inning and faced three batters before giving way to Hentges with one on and two out.

Tigers left fielder Riley Greene singled and advanced to second, giving Detroit runners on second and third with two outs. But Hentges got out of the jam with a 3-2 curveball that froze pinch-hitter Eduardo Valencia for strike three. Then Hentges induced a fly out to end the threat.

Dylan Smith retired three of the four batters he faced in the ninth to record his second save.

The Giants are 18 games under .500 this season, but have won 14 of their last 21 home games dating to June 14. The .667 home winning percentage during that span is third-best in the majors, behind Boston and Milwaukee.

Landon Roupp (7-10) is scheduled to make the start Saturday.