Tyler Fitzgerald #49 of the San Francisco Giants celebrates with Jorge Soler #2
Tyler Fitzgerald’s second-half resurgence continued to captivate fans as the San Francisco Giants defeated the Washington Nationals 4-1 on Monday night. Fitzgerald made an immediate impact, leading off the game with a powerful 416-foot solo home run that set the tone for the Giants’ win.
Tyler Fitzgerald’s home run was his 12th of the season and marked his 11th in the last 17 games. This remarkable achievement places him alongside Giants legends such as Barry Bonds, Willie McCovey, Jim Ray Hart, Willie Mays, Walker Cooper, and Mel Ott—players who have also hit 11 or more home runs in a similar span, according to MLB.com’s Sarah Langs.
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Despite a somewhat inconsistent start to the 2024 season, where Fitzgerald was frequently moved in and out of the lineup and off the major league roster, he has found his stride in recent weeks. Through July 7, the 26-year-old was batting .276 with a .724 OPS, with just one home run and six RBI in 34 games. However, in the 17 games since, Fitzgerald has surged with a .359 average and a 1.376 OPS, adding 11 home runs and 18 RBI—averaging more than one RBI per game.
Fitzgerald’s versatility has been evident, as he previously split time between shortstop, second base, and center field. Yet, since his resurgence began, he has solidified his role at shortstop, making a significant impact on both sides of the ball. His recent performance places him among an elite group of shortstops who have hit 11 or more home runs in a 17-game span—joining Trea Turner (2023), Troy Tulowitzki (2010), and Alex Rodriguez (2002).
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As the Giants prepare to continue their series with the Nationals on Tuesday, with the first pitch scheduled for 6:45 p.m. ET, all eyes will be on Fitzgerald to see if he can maintain his impressive form and further his role as a key player for the Giants.
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