Gilbert's clutch homer, Cox's big day lead way as Giants take rubber match vs. Cardinals

Justice delos Santos, Bay Area News Group on Sep 16, 2026

Published in Baseball

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One of the many oddities for the Giants this season is how many players they’ve used in the leadoff spot. Manager Tony Vitello has penciled in 15 different starters to bat first, the most in franchise history. The list includes one-offs from Will Brennan, Victor Bericoto and Nate Furman, as well as cameos from Bryce Eldridge and Matt Chapman.

The Giants’ offense could benefit from stability at the top next year, especially with Rafael Devers and Eldridge occupying the Nos. 2 and 3 spots. And if Vitello is searching for options, Drew Gilbert and Jonah Cox continue to mount cases as compelling candidates.

Cox and Gilbert headlined the Giants’ 10-inning, 6-5 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday afternoon at Busch Stadium. Gilbert delivered a go-ahead, two-run, pinch-hit homer in the 10th inning after San Francisco blew a two-run lead in the ninth, while Cox created chaos out of the leadoff spot by totaling three singles, two steals, a walk, an RBI and a run scored.

Gilbert sat on the bench for the first nine innings on Wednesday, but Vitello called him into action when Dylan Smith couldn’t protect a two-run lead in the bottom of the ninth. The Cardinals’ Riley O’Brien started Gilbert with a get-it-in sweeper, and Gilbert promptly sent the breaking ball 415 feet over the center field fence for his 10th homer of the season.

Right-hander Joel Kuhnel teetered on the verge of blowing a two-run lead in the top of the 10th, walking two batters and surrendering a sacrifice fly, but he hung on to record three outs and secure the win.

With his 12th and 13th steals of the season, Cox eclipsed Jung Hoo Lee (12) for the team lead in that department despite appearing in just 53 games. Cox nearly recorded his 14th in the top of the ninth when he swiped second, but the Cardinals challenged and the call was overturned.

Cox was directly involved in three of San Francisco’s six runs. In the third, Cox singled, stole second, stole third, then scored before the Cardinals completed an inning-ending 3-6 double play. With the double play not being a force play, Cox’s run counted because he scored before the final out was recorded.

The 25-year-old, with some luck, helped manufacture two more runs in the seventh. With Andrew Knizner on second and Christian Koss on first, Cox flipped a single to right field that allowed Knizner to score easily. Right fielder Jordan Walker tried throwing Koss out at third, but his throw deflected off Koss and rolled away, allowing Koss to take the extra base.

Right-hander Anthony Molina, who’s also fighting for a spot on next year’s team, bounced back from last week’s clunker against the Padres, allowing just two hits over 5 2/3 scoreless innings with six strikeouts as he earned his fourth win as a Giant.

Up next

Following an off day on Thursday, the Giants will make their final trip to Los Angeles this season and play a three-game series against the Dodgers. Cesar Perdomo is scheduled to start on Friday, but Saturday and Sunday’s starters haven’t been announced. The team will soon decide whether to shut down Logan Webb for the rest of the year.