SF Giants lose first baseman Dom Smith after amazing defensive effort

The SF Giants are facing off against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night and unfortunately the Giants will be without their first baseman, Dom Smith, after an amazing defensive effort he made in the top of the fourth inning.

Smith seemingly injured his hamstring stretching for a throw from third baseman Matt Chapman, whose availability coming into this game was unclear, and his stretch made all the difference as the Giants recorded the out even after a replay review by Los Angeles:

SF Giants first baseman Dom Smith injures himself making incredible defensive effort

It was an amazing play from both Chapman and Smith. Chapman fully extended himself on a dive to stop the ball and got himself up quickly to deliver an absolute seed across the diamond to Smith. The batter Andy Pages has good speed so Chapman had to go as fast as he could and Smith had to extend himself as far as he could on the stretch. His effort is what secured the out after the great play from Chapman and prevented the runner on third base from scoring and tying the game, but unfortunately Smith injured his leg on the play.

He had to hobble his way off the field as the training staff walked alongside him but it was clear that he did not feel right and would not be able to continue in the game. Wilmer Flores pinch hit for Smith in the bottom of the fourth and remaines in the game defensively at first base.

One hopes that this injury does not keep Smith out for multiple games because he has proven to be incredibly valuable to this Giants team both offensively and defensively. Who knows if he will be back next season, but the Giants are going to need him coming down the stretch in 2025 as they try to make a playoff push.

The New York Mets lost today so the Giants have a great opportunity to gain ground on them in the NL Wild Card race. If the Giants can hang on to win Friday night's contest, Smith's incredible defensive effort could end up being the whole difference. It is just a shame he had to leave the game after such a great play.

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