Bruins Survive Bay Battle, Take 3–2 Series Edge

Sammy Lindriv - TABL Beat Writer

The kind of game that defines October doesn’t need perfection, just enough courage, timing, and a few key swings. Game Five between the Boston Bruins and San Francisco Bays had all of it: big hits, costly mistakes, and a finish that left one side drained and the other flying home with momentum in their pockets.

Boston’s 6–4 victory wasn’t easy, but it was earned, one tense inning at a time.

The night began as a chess match between aces. Corbin Burnes and Jameson Taillon both looked sharp early, trading zeroes and working around traffic.

But the Bruins struck first. With two outs in the second, Randal Grichuk singled, Nolan Schanuel walked, and Austin Wells, who has been unstoppable in San Francisco — drilled a double off the wall to bring both home.

The Bays answered quickly in their half, capitalizing on an error and a Yainer Díaz single to cut the lead to 2–1. Then Jonathan India opened the third with a no-doubt solo shot to restore Boston’s two-run cushion.

San Francisco refused to blink. A bloop double by Ketel Marte and a sacrifice fly from Teoscar Hernández in the third cut it back to 3–2.

The turning point came in the fifth, and it belonged to the Bays. Down a run, Teoscar crushed a game-tying solo homer into the right-field seats. Moments later, Cody Bellinger followed with a rocket of his own to give San Francisco a 4–3 lead, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

But as quickly as the Bays built their momentum, the Bruins took it back. In the top of the sixth, Grichuk doubled, Schanuel followed with another double to tie it, and Wells singled to set the table. Luis Arraez’s pinch-hit fly ball to center plated Schanuel, putting Boston back in front, 5–4.

From there, the Bruins’ bullpen took over. Tim Herrin retired all four batters he faced, and Cade Smith recorded the final five outs for the save. Emmanuel Clase tried to keep it close in the ninth, but Austin Wells, again, doubled to lead off, and Jazz Chisholm’s sacrifice fly brought in an insurance run that sealed it.

Wells finished 9-for-12 in the three games at Oracle, tormenting San Francisco pitchers every chance he got.

Burnes wasn’t perfect, but he battled through 4⅔ before giving way to Calvin Faucher, who earned the win in relief.

Boston now heads home with a 3–2 series lead and a chance to clinch on their own turf. For the Bays, it’s a long flight east, and a longer night to think about what slipped away. W – Faucher (1–0)

L – Vest (0–1)

SV – C. Smith (2)

HR – India (BOS), Hernández (SFB), Bellinger (SFB)