Former Tennessee stars sent Vols fans on a wild time machine back to 2022 in San Francisco, but it was a little too much like 2022
Unfortunately it ended on a sour note just like it did in Tennessee in 2022.
For nearly nine innings on Monday night in San Francisco, it felt like Tennessee Vols fans had taken a time machine back to 2022.
Former Vols RHP Blade Tidwell pitched 5.2 innings of one-run ball and former Tennessee outfielder Drew Gilbert gave the Giants a lead in the 7th inning with 407-foot home run.
All of that while former UT baseball head coach Tony Vitello looked on from the dugout.
That’s a scene that Vols fans saw over and over in 2022 when Tennessee tore their way through the SEC, going 57-9 with a 25-5 record in conference play.
But just like in 2022 — when the Vols lost to Notre Dame in the Super Regional — the night ended on a sour note.
The Giants lost 6-3 to the Astros after reliever Dylan Smith blew the save.
“I hate losing,” said Gilbert after the game. “So as cool as it is to do well, when you lose, you have to look in the mirror. It’s not like I’m having a fantastic year. I can think of a lot more I could’ve done to help us win games.”
While the night didn’t end with a Vols-themed celebration, it was still a nice glimpse into the future for the Giants. Tidwell, who has struggled at times since making his big-league debut with the New York Mets last season, looked the part of an MLB starter. And Gilbert, who is still searching for consistency, showed he still has the clutch gene that made him a household name at Tennessee.
It’s been a tough first season for Vitello as the Giants’ manager, but there’s reason for optimism moving forward thanks to a couple of his former Tennessee players.
