SAN FRANCISCO \u2013 Rafael Devers is back to not talking.<\/p>\n
Even after capping a chaotic and hectic week with two majestic home runs in the Giants\u2019 5-0 win<\/a> over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday, the three-time MLB All-Star had nothing to say.<\/p>\n As has happened numerous times since he arrived in the Bay Area via trade a little over a year ago, Devers quickly brushed off a member of the Giants’ PR staff when asked to speak with reporters. Devers didn\u2019t give a reason nor did he even pause to consider a response as he strolled out of the clubhouse.<\/p>\n In and of itself, that\u2019s not much big news. For whatever reasons, Devers has been in that mode basically since Day 1.<\/p>\n But after the past seven days when he was repeatedly taken to task<\/a> and criticized heavily by media and fans for his flat out refusal to come out<\/a> of last Sunday\u2019s game in Miami for a pinch runner, the timing seemed perfect for Devers to get a few things off his chest — even after he, somewhat surprisingly, cleared the air before Tuesday’s game with an apology and explanation.<\/p>\n Instead of taking another chance to speak \u2013 which would understandably been in an “I told you so” mode \u2013 Devers made a slick quick trip out of the clubhouse Saturday, leaving one reporter to chirp in. \u201cHe moved faster getting out of here than he has on the field.\u201d<\/p>\n That would have been completely understandable and acceptable, given the way his time in the Bay has gone.<\/p>\n Instead of hearing from Devers, though, Giants manager Tony Vitello and ace pitcher Logan Webb were left having to speak about the slugger.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s Rafi,\u201d Webb said. \u201cHe\u2019s an unbelievable hitter. I know it\u2019s always in there. It\u2019s fun to watch. He works his butt off.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s frustrated when it doesn\u2019t go his way, and I love that. As a teammate you never want to be satisfied with not doing stuff, and that\u2019s the exact way I feel. Things always work themselves out , You see him have a gane like that today is what he expects of himself.\u201d<\/p>\n In spite of everything that has gone on this season, Vitello insists that Devers hasn\u2019t changed. Not even the criticisms from last week were enough to get Devers to alter his approach.<\/p>\n \u201cTo me he\u2019s the same guy all the time,\u201d Vitello said. \u201cI figured maybe I was taking more heat (from the incident Sunday in Miami) than maybe him. He explained and I explained. You got a guy that wants to stay on the field because he wants to win and he\u2019s confident in his abilities.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know of a time when he\u2019s ever been disrespectful to a teammate and I can\u2019t think of a moment where he wasn\u2019t in the dugout, encouraging the team and wanting to win. If anything, he\u2019s probably guilty of being too hard on himself when he gets out. More or less what he showed tonight is what he\u2019s capable of doing.\u201d<\/p>\n