Austin Slater’s winning single in the 10th Lifts Giants Past Astros

SAN FRANCISCO — Austin Slater hit a one-out single in the 10th inning, striking out the San Francisco Giants with two runs in the inning and beating the Houston Astros 4-3 on Monday night.

Slater’s second career game-winning shot came to Rafael Montero (1-2). This could help Slater build his confidence given his struggles with injuries and finding his hitting rhythm this season.

Slater just wished he could get his first extra-base hit of the year, but maybe that will give him a much-needed boost in the future. He showed up at foul trouble as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning.

“Any time you can have success for your team in a place where you were struggling, it makes you feel a lot better,” said Slater, who just returned last week from a concussion. “It definitely took a lot of weight off my shoulders.”

Randy Rodríguez (2-1) made the final 10th to clinch the win.

Houston led by two runs in the top half on a sacrifice fly by Victor Caratini that scored runner Joey Loperfido from second base and an RBI single by Alex Bregman.

The Astros disputed that Trey Cabbage was initially called on a bunt against Erik Miller to start the 10th inning, and the call was rejected after reviewing replays of the single.

Related story: Giants’ sweep hope ends when Semien goes deep and García steals home

Montero started the 10th and immediately gave up Brett Wisely’s RBI single, and then Heliot Ramos singled when Jeremy Pena had to reach and launch his jump rope at the stop. Patrick Bailey then belted an RBI single to make the score 3-3.

Next time

RHP Ronel Blanco (5-2, 2.78 ERA) will pitch for the Astros against RHP Jordan Hicks (4-2, 2.82) on Tuesday night.

The most important moments of the game

Mike Yastrzemski broke the scoreless game with an RBI triple in the sixth inning, and the Astros tied the game on Pena’s sacrifice fly in the seventh inning.

Mauricio Dubon had a two-run single in the ninth for Giants closer Camilo Doval to lead the go-ahead run to second. But Doval hit Jose Abreu to end the threat.

It was Dubon’s first visit to Oracle Park since being traded by San Francisco to the Astros in May 2022.

“I love it, I like the guys,” he said before the game after catching up with former teammate Logan Webb on the field.

Astros starter Spencer Arrighetti allowed one run and four hits over 5 2/3 innings, striking out six with three walks.

San Francisco lefty Kyle Harrison retired Houston’s first nine hitters in the order before Jose Altuve’s leadoff single in the fourth. Harrison was on a losing streak for the first time this season, recording seven earned runs and 20 hits in 11 innings. This time he struck out three times and didn’t walk a single batter over 6 1/3 innings, giving up one run and four hits.

“It was as effective as we have been all year at this point,” manager Bob Melvin said.

San Francisco, which currently faces interleague matchups in four of five series, including nine games against the Rangers, Astros and Angels, has played eight straight games since June 1.

Coach’s room

Astros: C Yainer Diaz was left out of the starting lineup as he continues to deal with soreness in his right index finger after fouling out on Sunday. His range of motion is still limited. … RF Kyle Tucker, who was placed on the injured list on Friday with a bruised right shin following a foul ball in his leg last Monday, is improving as he uses crutches and could come off the IL on Friday when he becomes eligible.

Giants: 3B Matt Chapman missed his fourth start of the season with hamstring soreness, but is expected to return on Tuesday. … OF Jung Hoo Lee (left shoulder surgery) will begin a rehabilitation program this week in San Francisco. … LHP Blake Snell (strained left groin) is pitching in the flat and will likely move to the mound later in the week. … INF Nick Ahmed (sprained left wrist) is scheduled to begin rehab on Tuesday with Triple-A Sacramento in Reno. … RHP Alex Cobb (shoulder) will pitch to the bullpen on Tuesday. … INF Wilmer Flores is nursing knee pain and could play again on Tuesday.