Matt

Gage

Gage has emerged as a key cog in San Francisco’s high-leverage mix with an encouraging 2.63 ERA, 1.29 QHIP and 19/13 K/BB ratio across 24 innings. The well-traveled 33-year-old southpaw appears to have found a more permanent home with the Giants after making 49 appearances in the big leagues between four different organizations since 2022.

Caleb Kilian entered with the bases loaded and one out in the eighth and induced a ground ball double play to get out of the jam. Up by two runs, he returned for the ninth and allowed a run on two hits with two outs. After another runner reached on catcher’s interference, Gage took over to face Ketel Marte, who walked it off with a three-run blast. Between ineffective pitching and unpredictable usage, the Giants’ situation has been a tough one to chase for saves.

Erik Miller and Caleb Kilian combined to turn a five-run lead into a two-run lead in the eighth, setting up the save chance for Gage in the ninth. Gage wound up retiring all three batters he faced for an easy save in a two-run game. Kilian, Miller and Keaton Winn are probably all still ahead of him in line for saves in San Francisco.

Gage, 32, joins the Giants’ bullpen after signing a minor league deal with the Giants at the beginning of July. The southpaw offers middle-inning help and nothing more.

Gage signed a minor league contract with the Giants in the beginning of July and the 32-year-old will add some bullpen depth to the San Francisco relief corps.

Gage elected free agency after he was designated for assignment by the Tigers back on June 26. The reliever had a 1.67 ERA in 32 1/3 innings for Triple-A Toledo this season and has a 1.42 ERA in 22 career MLB appearances. He will now return to the organization that drafted him in 2014 and start off in Triple-A Sacramento.

Gage won’t be unsigned for long. He pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings for the Tigers before being DFA’d, and he had a 1.67 ERA in 32 1/3 innings for Triple-A Toledo this season.

Gage passed through waivers unclaimed after being removed from Detroit’s 40-man roster last Thursday. The 32-year-old southpaw tossed 5 2/3 scoreless frames over six appearances for the Tigers. He has the option to elect free agency or stick around as extra organizational depth.

The Tigers needed to make room on the active roster for Deitrich Enns. Gage could clear waivers and return to the Tigers on a minor league deal.

Gage will get a chance to help the Detroit bullpen after being signed to a minor league contract back in December. He takes the space of the struggling Beau Brieske.